A former National Treasurer of the Labour Party, Oluchi Oparah, has responded to allegations made by Alhaji Farouk Umar, former National Secretary of the party, on behalf of ousted National Chairman Barrister Julius Abure. In a statement, Umar accused Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti of orchestrating a campaign of blackmail against Abure. However, Oparah described these claims as baseless and an attempt to distort the truth and mislead the public.

Former National Treasurer Oluchi Oparah said Abure’s claims of tirelessly canvassing votes for Peter Obi across Europe and the United States are a gross misrepresentation, given that Abure had never traveled abroad prior to 2022. “It is evident that he leveraged Peter Obi’s reputation and influence to secure visas for himself and his family, both immediate and extended, masquerading as an international campaigner,” Oparah said. Oluchi Oparah further accused Abure of exploiting the party’s goodwill for personal gain.

Oparah also rejected Abure’s claim that six presidential aspirants stepped down for Peter Obi during the 2023 primaries, challenging him to provide verifiable evidence to support this assertion. “Failure to do so will only cement their reputation for spreading falsehoods,” Oluchi Oparah added.

The Labour Party has moved forward under new leadership, following a Supreme Court ruling that nullified all actions conferring leadership on Abure. Senator Nenadi Esther Usman now serves as Acting National Chairman, with Senator Darlington Nwokocha as Acting National Secretary. Oluchi Oparah emphasized that Abure should acknowledge the pivotal roles played by Peter Obi and Dr Alex Otti in elevating his profile and the Labour Party’s prominence. “Their dedication, integrity, and vision have been instrumental in the party’s growth, and any attempt to discredit them is not only ungrateful but also a disservice to the millions of Nigerians who believe in the Labour Party’s mission,” she said.

The Labour Party remains committed to its ideals, and under its new leadership, it will continue to champion the aspirations of the Nigerian people, focusing on rebuilding and strengthening the party rather than engaging in divisive tactics.