Labour Party Rejects N150m Refund Demand by Disqualified Presidential Aspirant

The Labour Party has denied allegations of fraud and sabotage levelled against it by a disqualified presidential aspirant, Peter Agada, who is demanding a refund of N150 million paid for his 2027 presidential nomination bid.

Agada’s campaign council issued a petition on Saturday, claiming that the party collected the money despite knowing that he would not be allowed to contest due to the party’s zoning of its presidential ticket to the South. The petition alleged that the amount included N50 million for expression of interest and nomination forms, and another N100 million as contributions toward the party’s national convention and other activities.

The campaign council argued that the party acted in bad faith by accepting payments, screening the aspirant, and allowing him to continue campaigning before disqualifying him shortly before the primary.

The council also threatened to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over what it described as campaign funds obtained under false pretences.

However, the Labour Party dismissed the allegations, insisting that Agada’s disqualification followed the party’s constitution and resolutions of its national convention.

The National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, stated that the zoning arrangement to the South was not a sudden decision but a well-established policy publicly affirmed from the beginning of the party’s current leadership structure. He noted that the decision was formally ratified at the party’s national convention held on April 28, 2026, which is the highest decision-making organ of the party.

Asogwa argued that Agada’s decision to purchase nomination forms and continue campaign activities despite public knowledge of the zoning arrangement amounted to a personal political risk. He added that financial commitments by aspirants cannot override validly adopted party resolutions.

The party maintained that the disqualification was neither targeted nor vindictive, but a constitutional enforcement of a collective decision aimed at preserving internal balance and party cohesion.