Labour Party in Turmoil as Treasurer Accuses National Chairman of N3bn Theft

The Labour Party (LP) has been rocked by a fresh crisis, with its National Treasurer, Mrs. Oluchi Oprah, accusing the National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure, of misappropriating over N3 billion raised for the 2023 general elections.

According to Mrs. Oprah, the funds were raised from the sale of nomination forms for the 2023 general elections, but apart from the proceeds from Abure’s home state of Edo, he only declared N55 million to her as the National Treasurer.

She also alleged that Abure has run the affairs of the Labour Party as his private estate and has engaged in a series of actions that undermine the principles upon which the party was founded.

The National Treasurer further accused Abure of forging the signature of the late National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, to access party funds and has repeatedly denied her access to the party’s financial records and bank accounts.

She also claimed that Abure has syphoned money from the party accounts through unauthorized transfers to proxy individuals and special-purpose vehicles owned by himself, his wife, or other family members.

In response to these allegations, Mrs. Oprah called on Abure to provide documentation for the N3.5 billion raised from the sale of forms for the 2023 elections and to account for the N958 million raised from off-cycle elections in 2023.

She also demanded that Abure declare every single dollar raised from the 2023 US fundraising tour and provide documentation on where donations were warehoused and how they were appropriated.

The Labour Party, which has been a beacon of hope for millions of Nigerians yearning for good and responsible governance, is now facing a critical test of its commitment to the principles of justice, equality, and integrity.

The outcome of this crisis will determine the future of the party and its ability to fulfill the dreams and aspirations of its members and supporters.