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The Labour Party in Nigeria is embroiled in a financial controversy as National Treasurer Oluchi Opara accused party Chairman Julius Abure of financial impropriety, alleging that he diverted significant funds. Opara claims over N3.5 billion, raised from the sale of nomination forms and other fundraising activities, was mishandled. She accused Abure of failing to provide financial transparency and diverting funds, with only a small fraction reportedly declared for party use. Additionally, Opara claimed Abure was obstructing financial oversight by blocking access to bank records and that he illegally used the signature of a late former chairman to withdraw funds posthumously.
The Labour Party has strongly refuted these allegations, dismissing them as fabricated by “external forces” aiming to damage the party’s reputation. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, defended Abure, insisting that the party’s accounts are routinely audited and that claims of N3.5 billion raised were exaggerated. According to Ifoh, Opara’s grievances might be linked to her nearing end of tenure and dissatisfaction over denied requests for financial “settlements”.
These disputes reflect deepening divisions within the party, potentially impacting its unity ahead of upcoming elections.
