N3.5 Billion Scandal: Labour Party Chairman Abure Told to Account for Funds From US

• The internal crisis rocking Nigeria's second main opposition, the Labour Party, is far from over
• This time around, Oluchi Oparah, LP's suspended treasurer, has urged Julius Abure to give a breakdown of the donations gotten from Nigerians abroad during the 2023 presidential election
• In an interview, Abure, the party's chairman, maintained that Oparah was bent on "destroying his name" in the country

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

The suspended national treasurer of the Labour Party (LP), Ms Oluchi Oparah, has challenged the party’s national chairman, Julius Abure, over alleged fund mismanagement during the 2023 general election.

Abure accused of spending LP funds

Oparah requested Abure to give an account of the donations received from Nigerians in the diaspora during the campaign tour of LP flagbearer in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, in the United States of America.

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Recall that the leadership of the Labour Party sent Opara on a six-month suspension on Wednesday, February 14.

This came after Opara had, on Monday, February 12, challenged Abure and asked him to account for an alleged N3.5 billion raised from the sale of nomination forms and fundraising activities in the build-up to the 2023 election.

LP refuted claims of possessing N3.5 billion and asserted that Abure did not misappropriate funds belonging to the party.

Not backing down on her allegations, Opara, in an interview with the Punch on Sunday, February 18, asked Abure to give an account of the funds raised during the Labour Party's 2023 presidential campaign tour in the US.

Opara said:

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“Again, for 10 to 11 months, Abure has been the only one withdrawing the money. I don’t know how he does it, whether by forgery or other means.”

Reacting to Oparah's claim, Abure denied any wrongdoing, saying the embattled treasurer was merely out to tarnish his image. He added that she was under some influence, Vanguard reported.

Aisha Yesufu speaks on N596 million donations

Earlier, Peter Obi disclosed that its campaign team received donations totalling N596m from party supporters, 'Obidient movements' and well-meaning Nigerians across the globe.

This was disclosed by the chairman of the fundraising team for Obi, Aisha Yesufu, at a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday, February 15.

The social critic and activist announced that Peter Obi spent N744,500,000 on litigations following his loss in the 2023 presidential election.

Source: Legit.ng