The National Chairman of the Labour Party, LP, Nemadi Usman, has said the party has no plan to copy the way and manner the All Progressives Congress, APC, has conducted its primary elections so far.
Speaking to journalists during the screening of the aspirants for the different contestable positions for the 2027 general elections, Usman said, “Labour Party will not copy anybody” in response to a recent statement made by the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who said the party has conducted one of the best primaries so far.
APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, had asserted that no other political party in the nation can compare to the achievements of the ruling party in the execution of its primary elections.
This assertion comes despite the considerable internal strife generated by the APC’s primary elections.
DAILY POST reports that controversies have consistently revolved around issues such as candidate imposition, allegations of electoral misconduct, violence, and the exclusion of stakeholders.
Furthermore, the consensus method has frequently faced strong opposition, with dissatisfied aspirants voicing concerns that the process lacks transparency and excludes popular candidates.
Nevertheless, during an appearance on Arise News, Basiru maintained that no political party in the country can surpass the ruling party’s performance, which he rated very highly.
He emphasised that no other party will equal the level of organisation and transparency demonstrated by the ruling party.
Speaking on this, Nemadi said, “Well, we are not copying anybody because we are Labour Party, so we cannot copy anybody.”
Furthermore, she explained that about three presidential candidates have passed through the party’s screening ahead of the primary elections.
Speaking on the general belief that the exit of the party’s 2023 presudential candidate, Peter Obi from the party has further reduced its influence on the electorate and deepened its chances of securing victories in the coming elections, she said, “I don’t think so, from the number of people indicating interest to use the party as a platform to contest the election, I think the party is still strong.”
On former National Chairman, Julius Abure’s gifting nomination forms to aspirants, the party Chairman said, “Well, we received the news, surprisingly. It was a big surprise because if the court had said his tenure was over, we then went to Umuahia, had a national convention and new leaders were elected, INEC was there. INEC recognised what we did. The names on the website of INEC as the leaders of the party are those who were voted for in Umuahia.
“Then he comes and he’s distributing free forms. Well, I don’t know. I don’t know what to say. Well, we are yet to be served. We heard that he went to the Supreme Court. We don’t know about it yet.”
Continuing,, she said, “It’s very illegal and we have written a petition to the police. We’ve reported to the IGP and we’ve reported to the DG DSS.
“My take is that the Supreme Court would maintain its stand and they can’t change what they have done before. If my tenure is over tomorrow, they say my tenure is over, I’ll go.”
