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By Our Political Correspondent

ABUJA – Fresh controversy has erupted within the Labour Party (LP) following allegations by supporters of former presidential aspirant, Arc. Dr. Peter Agada, that the party collected N150 million from him for its presidential nomination process despite allegedly having prior knowledge that he would not be allowed to contest.

The aggrieved stakeholders, who described themselves as former Labour Party leaders, Obidient movement promoters, and members of the Arc. Peter Agada Presidential Campaign Council nationwide, have threatened to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) unless the funds are refunded.

In a statement jointly signed by Prince Temilade Craig and Dr. Blessing Elaigwu and titled “EFCC for Labour Party: We Insist on Refund of Our Aspirant’s Fees,” the group accused the party leadership of obtaining the funds under what they termed “unfair pretences.”

According to the statement, the sum allegedly paid by Agada comprised N50 million for the expression of interest and nomination forms, alongside another N100 million contributed towards the party’s national convention in Umuahia and other party-related activities.

“The fees obtained by the party totaled N150 million, being N50 million for expression of interest and nomination forms and another N100 million as induced contributions to the Umuahia national convention and other party support activities, which were obtained from our presidential aspirant, Arc. Dr. Peter Agada, under the pretext and assurances of the party’s support for his presidential race,” the statement said.

The stakeholders said their reaction followed comments credited to Labour Party National Publicity Secretary, Barr. Kenneth Asogwa, in a publication by The Guardian newspaper on May 29, 2026, in which the party defended its decision to restrict its presidential ticket to candidates from Southern Nigeria.

Quoting the party spokesman, the group referenced the statement: “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 of the Labour Party.”

The Agada camp argued that the position amounted to an admission that the party leadership knowingly accepted funds from an aspirant it had no intention of allowing to participate in the presidential contest.

“If the decision to restrict the presidential ticket of the party to only aspirants of Southern Nigeria was truly taken, why did the party go ahead to issue presidential expression of interest and nomination forms to Arc. Peter Agada, knowing full well that he is from the Middle Belt of Nigeria, knowingly demanded and pocketed fees and logistics support funds from him totalling N150 million, and furthermore went on to screen him to contest the presidential primary?” the group queried.

The stakeholders also questioned why Agada was reportedly screened and allowed to proceed through the nomination process before allegedly receiving a disqualification letter just days before the presidential primary.

“What then is the difference between the present leadership of the Labour Party of today and the corruption vilified Julius Abure administration of yesterday?” the statement asked.

The group further accused the party leadership of applying resolutions of its Umuahia National Convention selectively. According to them, while party officials relied on convention decisions to justify Agada’s disqualification, similar convention resolutions affirming elected state executive councils had allegedly been disregarded in several states.

They specifically cited Ogun, Oyo and Edo states among others, alleging that elected party executives had been removed and replaced under a harmonisation arrangement despite their ratification by the convention.

“The point we make here is that if it is true by yesterday’s published confession of the leadership that convention resolutions of the party are inviolate, why have the leaders of the party unilaterally abolished the convention resolutions which ratified and affirmed the congress-elected state council executives?” the statement said.

The stakeholders alleged that the zoning arrangement was deployed specifically to block a Middle Belt aspirant from emerging as the party’s presidential flag bearer.

According to them, the action was designed to achieve what they described as the “malicious disqualification” of Agada, whom they portrayed as one of the most qualified aspirants in the race.

The group also expressed disappointment with the outcome of the party’s presidential primary, arguing that recent developments could reinforce existing perceptions in some quarters regarding the party’s regional orientation and inclusiveness.

Meanwhile, the stakeholders maintained that the party only formally restricted its presidential ticket to Southern aspirants after collecting nomination and expression of interest fees from Agada and processing his participation in the race.

Insisting that they would pursue the matter to its logical conclusion, the group vowed to seek the intervention of the anti-graft agency.

“We hereby put them on notice of hearing soonest from the EFCC on our political networks’ jointly contributed campaign funds which they obtained under false pretenses from our dear principal, Arc. Dr. Peter Agada,” the statement declared.

The group added that accountability must prevail in Nigeria’s political system and vowed to explore all lawful means to recover the funds allegedly contributed by Agada and his supporters.

As of the time of filing this report, the Labour Party leadership had not publicly responded to the allegations.