Anambra: ZLP denies financial deal over candidates, confirms coalition talks

The national leadership of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has denied allegation that that the party has reached certain financial deals with some individuals in connection to its candidate for the November 6, Anambra state governorship election.

A section of the media (not Blueprint) had reported that the National Chairman of the ZLP, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, reached the alleged agreement after receiving sums of monetary payments.

The opposition party  however  said it has not reached any agreement neither has the National Chairman received any payment from any person as being falsely suggested in the publication.

In a statement released Monday in Abuja by the ZLP’s national secretary, Comrade Yahaya Makama, also confirmed “that it is currently in very high-level discussions with critical stakeholders from the three major political parties as well as no fewer than seven other minority parties on ways to use the party as a platform for a formidable cross-party coalition ahead of the election.”

The statement said: “The attention of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has been drawn to misleading and mischievous report in a particularly national daily, alleging that our party has reached certain financial deals with some individuals in connection to our candidate for the November 6, Anambra state governorship election.

“The false report also went ahead to mischievously claim that the National Chairman of the ZLP, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, reached the alleged agreement after receiving sums of monetary payments.

“For the avoidance of doubts, the ZLP clearly states that it has not reached any agreement neither has the National Chairman received any payment from any person as being falsely suggested in the publication.

“However, the ZLP can confirm that it is currently in very high-level discussions with critical stakeholders from the three major political parties as well as no fewer than seven other minority parties on ways to use the party as a platform for a formidable cross-party coalition ahead of the election.

“The ZLP assures that it is not for sale to the highest bidder but is rather yielding itself to Ndi Anambra as platform for a strong coalition among political parties, support institutions and the body of electorate in the coalesced effort ahead of the governorship election.

“The ZLP will indeed make its decisions regarding the coalitions open to the public in the coming days.

“The ZLP therefore urges the general public, particularly the people of Anambra, to disregard the mischievous publication, which is clearly the handiwork of desperate politicians in a particular political party, who are jittery over the emerging coalition and seek to cause confusion in our fold.”

The statement also said ZLP will never be distracted by any blackmail but will continue to work with the people of Anambra state in their aspiration to coalesce on our platform and enthrone a purposeful leadership in the state.