The Kaduna State Labour Party Caretaker Committee has refuted claims by the former executive of the party that the National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, and the running mate of the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, are not recognized members of the party in the state.
The former state executive had alleged that Sen. Esther Nenadi Usman and Sen. Datti Baba-Ahmed were not recognized members of the Labour Party in Kaduna State.
In a statement on Saturday in Kaduna, the State Public Relations Officer of the party, Natty Auta, said, “We challenge the outgone executive to provide the ward register of Datti Baba-Ahmed and Senator Nenadi Usman to substantiate their claims that these esteemed individuals and leaders in our great party are not registered members of the Labour Party. In contrast, we have submitted the register and membership card of Senator Nenadi Usman for public verification.”
The statement further added, “It has come to our attention that the Kagarko Local Government Chairman, Zephaniah Yohanna, was contacted by the outgone executive to verify Senator Nenadi Usman’s registration in her ward.
“When he confirmed her registration, they pressured him to suspend her, which he rightfully refused. This incident highlights their continued attempts to undermine legitimate party members.”
Auta also noted that the former PRO of the party, who hails from Kogi State, does not have accurate knowledge of ward registrations in Kaduna State. He advised the outgone executive to refrain from engaging in blackmail and name-calling.
According to him, “The Labour Party is not divided; it is merely transitioning from one leadership to another.”
Auta further explained that if there is any illegitimate group within the party, it is the outgone executive, whose tenure has expired. He lamented that their refusal to accept this reality is likely driven by their dependence on their former positions as a major source of income.
“If they truly care about the party’s interests and development, they should support initiatives like the fundraising event aimed at supporting our candidates in the upcoming local government elections,” the statement continued.
He called on the former executive members to take the honorable path and cease parading themselves as self-imposed leaders of the party in the state, adding that their focus on form sales and tax collection shows a lack of innovative ideas to move the party forward.
“We remain committed to the unity and progress of the Labour Party and urge all members to work together for the betterment of our party and the people of Kaduna State,” the statement concluded.