*Demands apology from Senatorial candidate, law firm
By: AUSTINE AGBO, Kaduna
The Leadership of Labour Party, (LP) Kaduna State has said that the party did not receive N640-million as contribution to win the 2023 general election.
Chairman of LP Kaduna, Hon. Auwal Tafoki during a press conference, held in Kaduna on Friday, said a viral letter on social media mentioned the LP and it’s Senatorial candidate, Engr. Mike Auta, accusing Hon. Jonathan Asake of fraud to the tune of over 640 million Naira.
According to the LP chairman, the viral letter has it that the N640m were various donations and contributions meant for the party to win the just concluded 2023 general elections.
While distancing self and the party from the allegation, Tafoki stressed that the law firm and Engr. Mike Auta have no iota of truth to prove that such huge sum came to the party through anyone.
He added that the law firm is strange to them and therefore, demanded an open apology from Auta and the firm with immediate effect.
The party also gave Auta and the law firm seven days ultimatum to retract the allegation via reputable media platforms, otherwise they would be left with no option than to seek for legal redress.
He said, “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.
“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 generation 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 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 and 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.
“From the foregoing therefore, the Labour Party in Kaduna State demands with immediate effect 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.
“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.” He said.
