Former Labour Party National Treasurer Oluchi Oparah has denied allegations that former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi embezzled party funds while running for president in 2023.
In an interview with Channels Television on Thursday, Oparah refuted accusations made by Abayomi Arabambi, the leader of the LP, claiming that Obi provided financial support to the party and independently funded his campaign.
“Mr. Obi never touched party funds for his campaign,” Oparah emphasized. She said that his contributions helped the Labour Party escape a crippling debt situation and pay off previously unpaid debts, including staff salaries.
Oparah claimed that the Labour Party was deeply indebted and unable to cover employee salaries before Obi defected to the party; that Obi fulfilled all of the financial obligations placed on him and even donated money from his resources to the party.
She said, “Mr Obi fulfilled every righteousness financially towards the Labour Party. There was never a time he asked for a dime from the party, unlike other political parties”
Speaking about the structure of campaign finance, the former treasurer said that any candidate for office could keep their own campaign account separate from the party’s official funds. She clarified that the Labour Party kept track of its finances for party operations as well..
Oparah criticized the current All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government for what she called a lack of accountability and urged Nigerians to stop attacking Obi and instead concentrate on holding the ruling party accountable for its actions.
She also urged those who are accusing Obi of financial misconduct to provide proof of the former Anambra state governor’s financial misdeeds in public.
“As far as I am concerned, Mr Obi was the only person who showed interest in contesting on the platform of the Labour Party. So, anyone claiming whatsoever should come out to show us the particular account to which they paid whatever thing they say they paid to the Labour Party, she insisted.
