Kaduna LP Dissociates Self From Alleged N640m Campaign Funds

…Demands Retraction, public apology within 7 days

By Frederick Peters, KADUNA.

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA: The Labour Party,( LP) in Kaduna State has condemned in strong terms the letter making the rounds on the social media accusing the governorship candidate and the party over a purported mismanagement of campaign funds to the tune of 640 million naira.

The party noted that the said letter via a law firm addressed to the party’s Governorship candidate, Jonathan Asake, emanated from, one Engr. Mike Auta, a party Stalwart, who accused the duo of embezzelment of campaign donations and contributions meant for the last election.

In a swift reaction, the state Chairman, Hon Awal Aliyu Tafoki, while addressing a press breifing on Friday at the party Secretariat, denied knowlege of such money, while describing the letter as libellious and malicious, he further demanded a retraction and public apology from the sponsor(s) within 7 days or face legal action.

” We are here to address you on a matter relating to a letter  dated 17th April 2023 from a  legal firm called  Vax Justicae Attorney (Aniah A. Ikwien & Associate) with an Abuja address written on behalf of one  Engr Mike Auta and Labour Party stalwarts of kaduna state. 

” The letter was directed at the 2023 Kaduna State  gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party, Hon. Jonathan Asake”

According to party” The Letter which has gone viral, especially on the social media, mentioned the Labour Party and Engr Mike Auta as accusing Hon. Jonathan Asake of fraud to the tune of over N640 million, claiming that the monies were various donations and contributions meant for the Party to win the 2023 general elections.

 ” While we are facing distractions at the national level by saboteurs, our dismay knows no bounds when we saw the letter on the social media space from the aforementioned law firm. Having read the highly libelous content of the letter, and especially that the Labour Party was made a partner,  after due consultations we deem it expedient and necessary to clear the air on this issue.

  ” We are not only the state exco of the party we are also very committed stalwarts of the Labour Party.

” We totally disassociate ourselves from the letter, the law firm and Engr Mike Auta on this matter as the Labour Party in Kaduna state has no iota of  information or prove that  such huge sums came to the party through anyone.

“The law firm is a strange to us. The law firm and Engr Mike Auta have never consulted us on this matter or on any  any matter relating to the issue at stake.

” We are surprised at the demands made which are strange since we are not aware of any such embezzlement as no such complains or petition has been tendered to us.  

” We are shocked an embarrassed that such serious matter was first deliberately released to the social media with the mischievous intention of dragging us into the fray and bring the party into disrepute just to give integrity to the content.”

LP said” From the foregoing therefore, the Labour Party in Kaduna State demands with immediate effect the following

 ” An open apology from the law firm and Engr Mike Auta who gave the instructions that the law firm received to include us. We demand this apology  with immediate effect in both social, print and electronic media

” We demand a retraction from them distancing us from the letter within 7 days starting from today.

” The retraction should be featured prominently on the social media, print and electronic media and the hard copy served us.

” Failure to heed to (1) to (4) will leave us with no option than take a legal action to clear the name of the party and seek for compensation from damages caused by the said letter.

 ” A committee will be set up to investigate the real motive behind the letter.

” The  committee will also investigate the roles of other players who maybe party members in this issue.

” The outcome of the committee will enable us to take necessary action against any of our  erring member who may be found wanting by joining us on an issue we are not aware of. 

” We want to use this opportunity to reiterate that non of our party members is above the party’s constitution.

” Gentlemen of the Press, we want to use this platform to assure all our members and supporters including the thousands warming up to join the Labour Party that we not distracted or divided by this act of an individual and a few persons. The Labour Party, like any other party cannot be without a few challenges. We are assuring them that we fixing our house and God on our side we shall remain the most viable alternative party for all those who want Kaduna state and Nigeria genuine progress” the party added.