The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Comrade Julius Abure, has been arrested and detained by the police in Benin City, Edo State.
His arrest on Wednesday comes following accusations of embezzling over N3.5bn Party funds.
The now-suspended National Treasurer of the Labour Party, Oluchi Oparah who made the allegation against Abure also accused him of bribery and others.
While Abure denied the allegations, the party’s 2023 Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi demanded an investigation of the party’s finances and records by a reputable audit firm.
Chairmen of the Labour Party, LP, in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT also backed Peter Obi’s call.
The chairmen, who were led by the chairman, Council of State Chairmen of LP, Ceekay Igara of Abia State, said they refused to accept the financial fraud allegation against Abure.
“His (Obi) decision to involve an independent auditor is a welcome one, and we believe that the outcome will finally exonerate Abure and also expose the lies being peddled by the suspended treasurer,” Igara said.
He also refuted claims that the party was considering the suspension of Obi.
“The party has not at any time contemplated the suspension of our leader.
“He remains our leader and will continue to lead the party in our avowed determination to pull this nation out of the strangulation under this present government.
“What you are witnessing now is orchestrated and will fizzle out very soon,” Igara said.
