From Esther Akaa, Lafia
The Labour Party in Benue State has denied a N50 million donation allegation on its candidate, Hon Peter China who is vying for the by-election to fill Guma 1 State constituency seat.
Some media outlets had earlier reported that the Benue State Governor Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, who was not happy with Hon Peter Terwase Uche emerging as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the poll, recently donated N50 million to the LP’s candidate in order to help him win the bye-election.
Speaking on the matter in Lafia on Friday, the Benue State LP chairman, Comrade Ibrahim Idoko, described the allegation as baseless and unfounded.
He said, “The allegation that Governor Hyacinth Alia gave N50 million to our candidate for Guma 1 State Constituency seat, Hon. Peter China is not true. It is the figment of the imagination of those who produced such narratives.
“The Labour Party in Benue State is Independent and we are working very closely with our candidate for tomorrow’s by-election. We have never had any contact with the governor, so the narrative is incorrect.
“We are prepared for the by-election and optimistic of getting victory because our candidate is a grassroot politician who had impacted greatly in the lives of his people.”
The LP chairman therefore, urged political opponents in the state to shun spreading rumors and lies that are capable of causing unnecessary tension before, during and after the by-election in the state.
Idoko urged all residents of the state to continue living in peace and harmony regardless of their political affiliations, while applauding the state governor, security agencies, and the Independent National Electoral Commission for providing political parties in the state with a level playing field during the election.
“We have been assured of a level-playing ground for all political parties, so we have nothing to worry about. If our political opponents are having issues in their parties, they should not bother to involve the Labour Party through lies and misinformation because we will never be distracted,” he concluded.