Labour Party’s Crisis Deepens: Abure Accused of Financial Misconduct by Former National Treasurer

The ongoing turmoil within Nigeria Labour Party’s has taken a dramatic turn, with allegations of corruption against its embattled chairman, Julius Abure. In a recent interview, the party’s former National Treasurer, Oluchi Opara, has made serious claims about financial misappropriation, accusing Abure of diverting party funds to his personal accounts and those of his family members and staff. These accusations have added to the growing internal tension threatening the stability of the Labour Party, particularly in light of the 2027 general elections.

Allegations of Financial Misconduct

Oluchi Opara, who served as the Labour Party’s National Treasurer, has come forward with explosive accusations, alleging that Julius Abure engaged in unethical financial practices. She claims that Abure transferred significant amounts of Labour party money into personal accounts, including those of his wife, brother, and even party staff members. Opara also accused Abure of forging the signature of the party’s late chairman, A.A. Salam, to withdraw funds after his death.

According to Opara, “Two months after Salam’s death, Abure cleared every money in the Labour party’s account.” This, she claims, left the Labour party financially vulnerable, further complicating its efforts to gain political relevance. Opara emphasized that the Labour Party’s revival came through Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, who allegedly raised the funds Abure is accused of misappropriating. She has called on Abure to allow independent auditors to investigate the Labour party’s finances to uncover the truth.

Allegations of Ungratefulness and Diverting Attention

Opara did not mince words when it came to Abure’s relationship with Peter Obi, accusing the chairman of being ungrateful. She asserted that Obi’s leadership and influence had revitalized the Labour Party, pulling it from obscurity. “Before now, there was no Abure. Before now, the Labour Party was nowhere,” Opara said, underscoring her belief that Obi was the primary force behind the Labour party’s success in the 2023 elections.

She further accused Abure of attempting to divert attention from the allegations of campaign fund looting by shifting the focus to Obi’s role in the Labour party. According to Opara, Abure should focus on addressing the accusations against him rather than “trying to damage the image of a political icon.” She reiterated her call for an independent audit, stressing that Abure’s actions have created significant internal division that could hamper the Labour party’s future electoral ambitions.

Campaign Fund Controversy

The controversy over campaign funds has become a central issue in the Labour Party’s internal crisis. Opara has refuted Abure’s claim that the Labour party was not in charge of campaign funds during the 2023 elections. She pointed out that the account used to receive donations from Nigerians was controlled by the Labour party, with notable figures like Aisha Yesufu sharing the account details publicly on social media.

Opara argued that Abure’s denial of the existence of a campaign fund account was an attempt to “cover up whatever he has done.” She maintained that the Labour Party did, in fact, have a designated campaign account and challenged Abure to provide a clear explanation of how the funds were managed. “He should stop peddling lies,” she said, accusing Abure of trying to mislead the public about the Labour party’s financial dealings.

Implications for the Labour Party’s Future

The accusations against Julius Abure and the broader financial scandal have raised concerns about the Labour Party’s ability to remain competitive in Nigeria’s political landscape. With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, the party’s internal strife could significantly weaken its chances of challenging more established political forces. Opara’s allegations, coupled with the growing demand for transparency, have created a leadership crisis that threatens to tear the labour party apart.

Political analysts have noted that if the Labour Party fails to resolve these issues, it may lose the momentum gained during the 2023 elections. The ongoing controversy could also affect the Labour party’s ability to attract new supporters and donors, particularly as questions about financial accountability continue to surface. As Opara put it, “We have to live by example, because you can’t be saying that the government of the day is not doing the right thing, whereas we have corruption under us.”

Resolving this crisis is crucial if the Labour Party hopes to present a united front and compete effectively in the next election cycle. For now, however, the future of the party remains uncertain, as its leadership grapples with growing calls for transparency and accountability