A former National Treasurer of the Labour Party (LP), Oluchi Oparah, has dismissed claims that former Anambra State governor and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, tampered with party funds during his campaign.
Speaking in an interview today, Oparah refuted the allegation made by LP chieftain, Abayomi Arabambi, stating that Obi not only funded his campaign personally but also made financial contributions to the party.
“There was nothing of such. Mr. Obi never spent any money meant for the party,” she said.
Oparah added that Obi went beyond financing his own campaign, noting that he played a key role in stabilising the party’s finances upon joining.
“In fact, he lifted the party from zero level to where it is today,” she said.
She disclosed that before Peter Obi joined the Labour Party, the party was in serious debt and struggled to pay staff salaries.
According to her, Obi met all financial obligations expected of him and went further by donating to the party from his personal funds.
“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 stated.
The former treasurer also shed light on how campaign financing is structured, clarifying that each candidate is permitted to operate a personal campaign account separate from the party’s official accounts. She noted that the Labour Party also maintained its own financial records for party operations.
“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 said during the interview.
She went on to criticise the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government, accusing it of lacking transparency, and urged Nigerians to redirect their focus towards holding those in power accountable rather than targeting Obi.
In addition, she challenged those accusing Obi of financial misconduct to present verifiable evidence of any payments allegedly made to the Labour Party.
“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.
Oparah also commended Obi’s generosity, describing his philanthropic lifestyle as a defining part of his character long before 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 added.