A former National Treasurer of the Labour Party (LP), Oluchi Oparah, has dismissed allegations that former Anambra State governor and 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi misused party funds during his campaign.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, Oparah insisted that Obi personally financed his campaign and even provided financial support to the Labour Party at a time when it was struggling.
“There was nothing of such. Mr. Obi never spent any money meant for the party,” she said, responding to claims by LP chieftain Abayomi Arabambi that Obi used party funds for his campaign.
She added, “In fact, he lifted the party from zero level to where it is today.”
According to Oparah, before Obi joined the party, the LP was heavily indebted and unable to pay staff salaries. She credited Obi with helping to stabilise the party’s finances, noting that he met all his financial obligations and even made personal donations to support party activities.
“Mr. Obi fulfilled every righteousness financially towards the Labour Party. There was never a time he asked for a dime from the party, unlike what happens in many other parties,” she stated.
Oparah also clarified how campaign financing was handled, explaining that individual candidates operate their own campaign accounts, separate from the party’s financial structure.
“He spent a lot of money on the Labour Party. We had programmes that Mr. Obi solely financed. The party didn’t have a dime, and he used his personal funds,” she said.
She went further to criticise the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government for a lack of accountability and urged Nigerians to focus on demanding transparency from those in power rather than directing baseless accusations at opposition figures.
Challenging those accusing Obi of financial misconduct, she said: “As far as I’m concerned, Mr. Obi was the only one who showed genuine interest in running on the Labour Party platform. Anyone making claims should show us the specific account into which they allegedly made payments to the party.”
Oparah also praised Obi’s long-standing commitment to philanthropy, describing him as generous and charitable long before he entered the presidential race.
“Anyone who knows Mr. Obi knows that his act of charity is second nature to him—it’s like the air he breathes,” she added.
