By Seyi Babalola

Oluchi Oparah, a former Labour Party National Treasurer, has refuted claims that Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State, misused party funds during his 2023 presidential campaign.

Speaking on Channels Television on Thursday, Oparah dismissed charges made by LP leader Abayomi Arabambi, stating that Obi independently funded his campaign and offered financial assistance to the party.

Oparah emphasised, “Mr. Obi never touched party funds for his campaign.”

She highlighted that his contributions elevated the Labour Party from a state of heavy debt, enabling it to clear financial obligations, including staff salaries, which were previously unmet.

She said that prior to Obi’s defection to the party, the Labour Party was heavily indebted and unable to pay the salaries of its employees.

According to her, Obi met all the financial requirements expected of him and even made donations to the party from his resources.

“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,” she stated.

The former treasurer also addressed the structure of campaign finance, stating that any candidate seeking for office was permitted to maintain their own campaign account independent from the party’s official funds.

She explained that the Labour Party also maintained its financial accounts for party activities.

“He spent a lot of money on the Labour Party; we have programmes that Mr Obi solely financed by himself. Obi spent his money because the Labour Party did not have a dime,” Oparah said during the interview.

She also criticised what she described as a lack of accountability in the current All Progressives Congress, APC, led government and urged Nigerians to focus on holding the ruling party responsible for its actions rather than attacking Obi.

Also, she challenged those accusing Obi of financial misconduct to publicly present evidence of financial misconduct by the former governor of Anambra state.

“As far as I am concerned, Mr 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,” she maintained.

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