Oluchi Opara
A former National Treasurer of the Labour Party, Oluchi Oparah, has denied claims that Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, misused party funds during his campaign.
Speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, Oparah debunked allegations made by LP chieftain Abayomi Arabambi, who had accused Obi of funding his campaign with party resources.
“There was nothing of such. Mr. Obi never spent any money meant for the party,” she stated.
“In fact, he lifted the party from zero level to where it is today.”
Oparah explained that Obi not only personally financed his campaign activities but also helped the financially struggling party upon his arrival.
“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 will do,” she said.
She added that when Obi joined the party, it was deeply in debt and couldn’t pay staff salaries. Obi stepped in with both financial support and structure.
“He spent a lot of money on the Labour Party. We have programmes that Mr. Obi solely financed by himself. Obi spent from his money because the Labour Party did not have a dime,” Oparah noted.
She also explained that every candidate runs a separate campaign account and that the Labour Party’s own accounts remained distinct for party use.
On the issue of accountability, she turned attention to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), criticizing the party for its governance and urging the public to hold the government accountable rather than spreading unsubstantiated claims about Obi.
“As far as I am concerned, Mr. Obi was the only person who showed interest in contesting on the platform of the Labour Party,” she emphasized.
“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.”
Oparah further defended Obi’s integrity, describing him as a consistent philanthropist whose charitable nature predates his presidential ambition.
“Anyone that knows Mr. Obi very well knows that his act of charity is five and six, like the air he breathes,” she said.
