A major rift has emerged within a faction of the Labour Party led by Julius Abure, as the National Treasurer, Oluchi Opara, raises concerns over the transparency of approximately N3.5 billion in party finances.
The allegations were unveiled during a news briefing held in Abuja on Monday.
Opara, expressing deep reluctance, publicly addressed the media, accusing Mr. Julius Abure, the current National Chairman, of financial mismanagement and corruption within the party.
She claimed that the funds, generated from the sale of forms and fundraising activities for the 2023 general elections, lacked proper accountability.
“As national treasurer, I am compelled to come before you and the public today because the internal mechanisms of our party have failed woefully to bring Mr. Abure to account for his brazen abuse of office and misappropriation of party funds,” Opara stated.
In response, the Labour Party countered Opara’s claims, labeling them as malicious and driven by external influences.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, dismissed the accusations, asserting that the treasurer’s allegations were a result of a “concocted statement drafted by detractors to tar the image of the party.”
The party insisted that no member of the national working committee, except the outgoing National Treasurer, had raised embezzlement concerns against Abure.
They emphasized the party’s financial transparency through external audits and scrutiny by regulatory bodies such as INEC.
The statement from the Labour Party clarified the roles of the National Chairman and National Treasurer as outlined in the party’s constitution, refuting Opara’s claims of financial impropriety.
The party also challenged Opara’s assertion that Abure owns multiple houses and properties, stating that there is no legal prohibition against such ownership.
Despite the rebuttal, the Labour Party announced its intention to take Oluchi Opara to the disciplinary committee, suggesting that appropriate measures would be taken against her.
The internal strife within the party adds a layer of complexity as the Labour Party navigates through these accusations ahead of the 2023 elections.
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