The former National Treasurer of Labour Party (LP), Oluchi Oparah, has alleged that the former Acting National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, misappropriated N3.5 billion of the party’s 2023 general election funds.
In a statement released on Monday, September 9, Oparah alleged that the funds were meant for critical party expenses but were diverted for personal gain.
Claiming that she has intimate knowledge of the party’s financial dealings and can confidently attest that the allegations against Abure are not unfounded, Oparah accused Abure of attempting to discredit the party leader, Peter Obi, instead of addressing the serious allegations against, describing his seeming desperate action as a “wild goose chase” and diversionary tactic to avoid accountability.
“I, Mrs. Oluchi Oparah, former National Treasurer of the Labour Party, have brought to light a matter of grave concern that requires immediate attention. Mr. Julius Abure, the former Acting National Chairman of the party, has been accused of misappropriating and corruptly utilizing N3.5bn generated by the party during the 2023 general election. Instead of addressing these serious allegations, Mr. Abure has chosen to embark on a wild goose chase, attempting to discredit our principal, Peter Obi,” the statement said.
The former LP National Treasurer called on the party leadership and relevant authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly and clarify the allegations, emphasizing the importance of accountability and transparency within the party.
“Let us not forget that accountability is the cornerstone of good governance and leadership. I will not stand idly by while our party’s integrity is compromised. I demand that Mr. Abure answer to these allegations and provide evidence to support his claims of innocence,” she said.
It would be recalled that not long ago, the former Acting National Chairman, Julius Abure held a press conference where he announced that he had been accused of mismanagement of the past general elections funds and campaign donations but went on to disassociate himself and the party from the management of the LP election funds.
According to him, the campaign funds were disbursed and administered to the southern states by the leadership council led by Douyin Okupe and the funding for the 19 northern states were handled by the 2023 vice presidential candidate of the party, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.
“The funding of the party itself was done by Peter Obi himself; the party was never involved in the distribution of these resources,” Abure had claimed.
“Also the party was not involved in the collection of any donations; campaign and donations were channeled to the following accounts: Obi-Datti Ahmed Campaign accounts: Zenith Bank 1241950451, Sterling Bank 0091657896, Heritage Bank 1400234900, Globus Bank 1000128194 and the signatories to this account were Aisha Yussuf and Pastor Itua Ighodalo.”
But while the alleged misappropriated amount stands at N3.5n, Mrs. Yusuf had earlier in February this year disclosed that the four accounts received donations totalling N595,976,994 from Nigerians and N8,000,000 from Peter Obi.
“We thank everyone who donated in cash and kindness. From the donations from citizens, we received N595,976,994. This is the money we raised from the four accounts that we have talked about. We also received N8,000,000 from the candidate himself (Peter Obi),” she had said then.
“So, where lies the truth?” an LP sympathizer queried. “Let them carry out a thorough investigation into the management of the election finances of the party and I am sure they will unearth the truth.”
