The Labour Party has admonished its 2023 Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, to wade in on alleged N4.4 billion financial impropriety levelled against its National Chairman, Julius Abure.
Treasurer of the party, Oluchi Opara, had accused Abure of denying her access to the financial records and bank accounts of the party since after the 2023 general elections.
According to her, Abure, who is gunning for the party’s ticket ahead of the Edo State governorship election, misappropriated over N4.4 billion accrued from the sales of nomination forms and donations in last year’s polls.
To this end, the party’s factional National Publicity Secretary, Dr Abayomi Arabambi, in a statement, however, said such allegations should not be swept under the carpet.
He said Obi’s intervention would help unravel some facts during the party’s National Executive Committee meeting, holding soon.
He said: “These allegations of massive corruption levelled against Abure have thrown the Labour Party into turmoil, forcing us to revisit the party’s core principles and founding ideals.
“In light of these developments, this week’s scheduled National Executive Committee meeting takes on an even greater significance.
“We urge Peter Obi, our presidential candidate, to actively participate in this crucial gathering and help address the party’s internal issues.”
Arabambi claimed that the Labour Party was yet to submit an audit report of the financial activities for 2022 – 2023, to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He stressed that the plethora of scandals besetting the party would diminish its fortunes in subsequent elections, as potential aspirants and voters would ditch the party.
“This absence of transparency raises serious questions and warrants immediate investigation of the electoral body.
“Transparency is crucial in maintaining public trust in political parties and ensuring accountability for their financial activities.
“By withholding a party’s audit report and INEC’s not raising alarm over such act, casts a shadow over its operations and risks eroding public confidence.
“It is imperative that the National Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood delves into this matter to understand the reasons behind the delay and ensure compliance with regulations.
“While a prompt and thorough investigation is necessary to shed light on the Labour Party’s finances and address any potential concerns, is overdue, INEC must act swiftly and decisively to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and guarantee transparency in political party activities,” he said.
