Peter Obi Personally Bankrolled 2023 Campaign, Lifted Labour Party from Debt – Oparah

A former National Treasurer of the Labour Party (LP), Oluchi Oparah, has refuted allegations that the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, misused party funds during his campaign. Speaking in an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, Oparah insisted that the former Anambra State governor personally financed his campaign activities and even contributed to the party’s purse.

“There was nothing of such. Mr Peter Obi never spent any money meant for the party,” Oparah said, dismissing the claims made by LP chieftain, Abayomi Arabambi, that Obi used party resources for his campaign. “In fact, he lifted the party from zero level to where it is today,” she added.

According to Oparah, the Labour Party was in financial distress before Peter Obi joined, with unpaid staff salaries and mounting debts. She maintained that Obi not only met all his financial obligations to the party but also made personal donations to sustain its operations.

Peter Obi’s Personal Funding and Party Contributions

Oparah stressed that Peter Obi’s approach to campaign financing was rooted in transparency and personal responsibility. She noted that, unlike candidates in many other political parties, Obi never demanded funds from the Labour Party to support his electioneering activities.

“Mr Peter 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,” Oparah stated. She revealed that several programmes undertaken by the LP during the campaign period were entirely bankrolled by Obi from his personal resources, as the party’s coffers were empty.

Highlighting the structural framework of campaign financing, Oparah explained that every political candidate is entitled to operate a separate campaign account distinct from the party’s official accounts. In Obi’s case, she said, his campaign expenses came from his own account, while the party’s account remained dedicated to its administrative and political activities.

Calls for Evidence from Accusers

The former treasurer challenged Peter Obi’s critics to substantiate their claims with verifiable evidence. She argued that vague allegations only distract Nigerians from more pressing national issues, such as governance and accountability in the current All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration.

“As far as I am concerned, Mr Peter 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,” Oparah demanded.

She described the ongoing attacks on Obi as politically motivated, urging the public to focus their attention on holding the ruling government accountable rather than targeting opposition leaders without proof.

Criticism of APC-Led Government

Beyond defending Peter Obi, Oparah used the opportunity to express her dissatisfaction with the APC administration, accusing it of failing to uphold transparency and good governance. She argued that the present economic hardship, rising insecurity, and lack of clear developmental direction are more pressing issues for Nigerians than unfounded political accusations.

She called on citizens to demand accountability from those in power, stressing that opposition figures like Obi should not be made scapegoats for political point-scoring. According to her, continued baseless attacks on credible opposition leaders weaken democratic engagement and distract from the real work of governance.

Peter Obi’s Philanthropy and Public Image

Oparah concluded by praising Obi’s well-documented charitable activities, describing his philanthropy as a deeply ingrained aspect of his personality that 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 remarked. The former treasurer noted that Obi’s generosity has been visible through years of donations to educational institutions, hospitals, and community development projects.

She reiterated that Obi’s financial integrity during the 2023 elections mirrored his long-standing public service record, arguing that his leadership style and philanthropic commitment remain valuable assets for Nigeria’s political landscape.