"We’ll not copy anyone" – LP responds to APC’s claim of holding the best primaries

The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Nemadi Usman, has stated that the party has no intention of emulating the methods used by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in its primary elections.

Speaking to journalists during the screening of aspirants for various contestable positions for the 2027 general elections, Usman said, “Labour Party will not copy anybody,” in response to a recent claim by the APC National Secretary that the ruling party has conducted one of the best primaries to date.

APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru asserted that no other political party in the country can match the APC’s achievements in executing its primary elections.

This assertion comes amid significant internal strife surrounding the APC’s primary process.

Daily Post reports that controversies have consistently centered on issues such as candidate imposition, allegations of electoral misconduct, violence, and the exclusion of stakeholders.

Additionally, the consensus method has frequently faced strong opposition, with dissatisfied aspirants voicing concerns that the process lacks transparency and excludes popular candidates.

Nonetheless, during an appearance on Arise News, Basiru maintained that no political party in the country can surpass the ruling party’s performance, which he rated very highly.

He emphasized that no other party will equal the level of organization and transparency demonstrated by the ruling party.

Speaking on this, Nemadi said, “Well, we are not copying anybody because we are Labour Party, so we cannot copy anybody.”

She also explained that about three presidential candidates have passed through the party’s screening ahead of the primary elections.

Addressing the belief that the exit of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has further weakened its influence on the electorate and its chances of winning upcoming elections, she said, “I don’t think so. From the number of people indicating interest to use the party as a platform to contest the election, I think the party is still strong.”

On former National Chairman Julius Abure’s gifting of nomination forms to aspirants, the party Chairman said, “Well, we received the news, surprisingly. It was a big surprise because if the court had said his tenure was over, we then went to Umuahia, had a national convention and new leaders were elected, INEC was there. INEC recognised what we did. The names on the website of INEC as the leaders of the party are those who were voted for in Umuahia.”

“Then he comes and he’s distributing free forms. Well, I don’t know. I don’t know what to say. Well, we are yet to be served. We heard that he went to the Supreme Court. We don’t know about it yet.”

Continuing, she said, “It’s very illegal and we have written a petition to the police. We’ve reported to the IGP and we’ve reported to the DG DSS.”

“My take is that the Supreme Court would maintain its stand and they can’t change what they have done before. If my tenure is over tomorrow, they say my tenure is over, I’ll go.”