Presidential aspirant of the Labour Party (LP), Arc. Peter Agada, has accused the party leadership of what he describes as a “shocking political swindle,” alleging that he was financially drained and abruptly disqualified from the party’s presidential race after expending over ₦300 million on the process.

In a strongly worded reaction through his campaign organisation, Agada claimed he was fully screened, cleared, and actively engaged in preparations for the presidential primary before receiving a sudden disqualification letter just days to the exercise.

He alleged that the party collected substantial financial commitments from him for nomination forms, administrative fees, and nationwide campaign structures, only to “slam the door” on his aspiration at the final stage.

“After collecting over ₦300 million from me, they turned around and shut me out of the race,” the campaign alleged, describing the development as a “calculated political betrayal disguised as party procedure.”

The group further argued that the disqualification was justified on the basis of zoning, which they insist was introduced late and inconsistently applied, claiming it was never a binding or transparent part of the party’s earlier arrangements.

They maintained that Agada’s exclusion after full participation in the process amounted to “bad faith, internal injustice, and financial exploitation,” and demanded his immediate reinstatement into the contest.

However, the Labour Party has strongly defended its action, insisting that the disqualification was based on a long-established zoning arrangement that reserved the party’s presidential ticket for the South.

Responding to the allegations, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, said the zoning decision was not new, secret, or arbitrary, but a resolution taken and publicly affirmed “from day one” of the party’s current structure.

He stated that the arrangement was formally ratified at the party’s national convention held on April 28, 2026, which he described as the highest decision-making authority of the Labour Party.

“The decision to zone the presidency to the South did not happen yesterday. It is a settled matter that was adopted long ago and ratified at the national convention,” he said.

According to him, all party organs, including the National Working Committee and aspirants, are bound by the convention’s resolution, leaving no room for deviation.

He further argued that Agada’s decision to purchase nomination forms and proceed with campaign activities despite the zoning arrangement being public constituted a personal political risk.

“For those who chose to go against this zoning arrangement and proceeded to buy nomination forms, it is unfortunate,” he added.

On the allegation of over ₦300 million expended by the aspirant, the party dismissed it as irrelevant to its constitutional position, stressing that financial commitments cannot override binding party resolutions.

The Labour Party Insisted that its action was consistent with its constitution and internal democratic processes, maintaining that the disqualification was not targeted but a necessary enforcement of a collective decision.

Meanwhile, the dispute has continued to generate tension within the party, with Agada’s supporters insisting that the zoning principle was selectively applied and unfairly enforced at the final hour.

As the controversy deepens ahead of the presidential primary, the party leadership maintains that it remains committed to upholding its constitutional decisions, even as calls for clarification and reconciliation grow louder within its ranks. (The Guardian)

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