Peter Obi, the National Leader of the Labour Party and the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has pledged to address the corruption allegations against the National Chairman, Julius Abure. At a media briefing, Obi promised that the party would engage a reputable audit firm to investigate the allegations made by the National Treasurer, Ms. Oluchi Oparah.
Oparah had accused Abure of mismanaging N3.5 billion raised from the sale of nomination forms and fundraising activities for the 2023 general election. In response, Obi emphasized the need for transparency in handling party funds and called for a thorough investigation into the allegations.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party had suspended Oparah for six months following her corruption allegations. However, Oparah has stated her intention to challenge the suspension in court, arguing that the decision was premeditated.
Obi stressed the importance of transparency in financial transactions, urging support groups, individuals, or parties that received funding from the campaign to be accountable for the funds they received. He emphasized the need for proper accountability and reconciliation of funds to ensure transparency.
Aisha Yesufu, the Chairman of the Fundraising Team of the Campaign Organisation, provided details of the campaign’s expenditure, including N744.5 million spent on legal expenses related to litigation over the 2023 presidential election. She also disclosed that the campaign received donations totaling N595.98 million, with additional funds contributed by the candidate himself.
Yesufu outlined how the campaign funds were allocated for various purposes, including campaign materials, media broadcasts, election promotion expenses, polling unit agents, bank charges, administrative costs, legal fees, and campaign activities.
Overall, Obi and the Labour Party leadership emphasized their commitment to transparency and accountability in handling campaign funds and pledged to address the corruption allegations through a thorough audit process.