Former national treasurer of the Labour Party (LP), Oluchi Oparah, has dismissed claims that Peter Obi used party funds during his 2023 presidential campaign.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, August 7, Oparah said the former Anambra State governor personally financed his campaign and also made financial contributions to the party.
“There was nothing of such. Mr. Obi never spent any money meant for the party,” she stated in response to an allegation by LP chieftain Abayomi Arabambi that Obi diverted party funds.
“In fact, he lifted the party from zero level to where it is today,” she added.
Oparah recalled that before Obi joined the Labour Party, it was struggling financially and could not even pay staff salaries.
According to her, Obi fulfilled every financial obligation expected of him and even went beyond by making personal donations.
READ ALSO: LP Faction Accuses Abure of Betrayal Over Wike Meeting
“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 said.
She clarified that campaign financing operates separately from party accounts. Each candidate, she explained, is required to manage their own campaign funds, while the party maintains its own separate account.
“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,” she said.
Oparah criticised the APC-led federal government for what she called a lack of transparency and urged Nigerians to hold those in power accountable instead of targeting Obi.
She also challenged critics to provide evidence of payments allegedly made to the Labour Party.
“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 said.
Describing Obi as naturally charitable, Oparah concluded, “Anyone that knows Mr. Obi very well knows that his act of charity is five and six, like the air he breathes.”