Tensions have escalated within the opposition Labour Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) with crisis unfolding over alleged misappropriation of over N3 billion dedicated to the 2023 election campaigns.

Despite National Chairman Barr. Julius Abure’s dismissal of forgery claims and assertion of external sponsorship for internal disruption, National Treasurer Mrs. Oluchi Oprah has now come forward, accusing Abure of mishandling over N3 billion from the N3.5 billion raised for the critical 2023 election initiatives, adding a new layer of controversy within the party.

During a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Oluchi stated that under Abure’s leadership, a substantial amount exceeding N3.5 billion was generated through the sale of nomination forms for the upcoming 2023 general elections.

She said “However, apart from the proceeds of the sale of forms from his home state of Edo – which was diverted to Mr Abure’s private accounts, he only declared N55 million to me as Treasurer, of the over N3.5 billion raised, pocketing the rest for himself.

She reported that during off-cycle elections in various states last year, the party amassed approximately N958 million through a combination of nomination forms and donations.

She added, “These funds have completely vanished under Mr. Abure’s oversight – with zero paper trail.

“While on a fundraising tour in the United States in August 2023, Mr. Abure and his cronies raised hundreds of thousands of dollars from the party’s diaspora community.

“To date, he has not declared a single dollar to me or the NWC, essentially stealing donations meant for the party’s development. Indeed, not a single cent from donations received was ever paid into any of the party’s accounts.”

Expressing her concerns, she accused Abure of running the affairs of the Labour Party as his private estate.

With deep reluctance, she addressed the media, highlighting the significant financial mismanagement and corruption within the party under Abure’s leadership.

As the National Treasurer, she emphasized the failure of internal party mechanisms to hold Abure accountable for his alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of party funds.

She stated that Abure’s unchecked appetite for power has deliberately undermined her duties and authority outlined in the party’s constitution.

She said, “Since assuming office in 2021, Mr Abure has engaged in a series of actions that not only undermine the principles upon which the Labour Party was founded but also constitute grave violations of trust and fiduciary responsibility.

“His tenure has been marred by forgery, embezzlement, and corrupt enrichment, all at the expense of the party and its members. He has unilaterally depleted the party’s bank accounts, often through fraudulent means, including forging the signature of his predecessor and our late national chairman – Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, immediately after his demise.

“One of the most alarming aspects of Mr Abure’s conduct is his repeated denial of my access to the party’s financial records and bank accounts. Despite my role as National Treasurer and custodian of all party funds, bank and accounting records, I have been systematically prohibited from fulfilling my duties, including accessing essential information and bank statements necessary for proper financial oversight.

“This deliberate obstruction not only hinders my ability to carry out my responsibilities but also raises serious questions about the chairman’s transparency and accountability.

“The chairman regularly syphones monies from the party accounts through unauthorised transfers to proxy individuals, including junior unsuspecting administrative staff at our national secretariat, as well as special purpose vehicles owned by himself and/or his wife and/or other family members.

“To conceal his financial crimes from the authorities, Mr. Abure doctored audit reports in 2023 and tried to bribe me severally – first with money, then a new car and even a new house, to ratify his hoax financial statements. I rejected his bribes and obstruction of my duties as Treasurer.

“Indeed, Labour Party remains the only major political party that has failed to submit an audit report of our financial activities for 2022 2023, to the Independent National Electoral Commission (“INEC”).

“Evidence suggests the chairman has sunk his loot into various choice properties in Nigeria and Europe. When he assumed office in 2021, Mr. Abure was practically destitute. His financial position essentially remained the same until 2022, following the entry of His Excellency Peter Obi into the Labour Party.

“Today, Mr. Abure owns multiple high-end real estate in Abuja, Benin, Uromi, and Italy, whose value runs into hundreds of millions, if not billions of naira. To the best of my knowledge, he did not own a single property prior to 2022 and lived in very squalid conditions.

Oluchi asserted that Abure’s alleged penchant for embezzlement and financial impropriety might have singularly compromised their prospects in both past and forthcoming elections.

She urged Mr. Abure to promptly furnish documentation accounting for the N3.5 billion garnered from form sales for the 2023 elections.

Additionally, she raised concerns about Edo State proceeds being redirected into private accounts, seeking clarification on this matter.

She said “Account for the N958 million raised from off-cycle elections in 2023. Provide paper trails and documentary evidence of adherence to due process.

“Declare every single dollar raised from the 2023 US fundraising tour and provide documentation on where donations were warehoused and how the same was appropriated.

“Explain the source of funds for properties bought in Nigeria and abroad between 2022 and 2023. Provide paper evidence.

“Allow me unfettered access to party accounts and records as National Treasurer,” she added.