A former National Treasurer of the Labour Party, Oluchi Oparah, has dismissed allegations that Peter Obi misappropriated party funds during his 2023 presidential campaign, asserting that the former Anambra State governor personally financed his campaign and even made financial contributions to the party.
Speaking Thursday on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Oparah responded to claims by Labour Party chieftain Abayomi Arabambi, who had accused Obi of using party resources for his presidential bid.
“There was nothing of such. Mr. Obi never spent any money meant for the party,” she said. “In fact, he lifted the party from zero level to where it is today.”
She revealed that before Obi joined the Labour Party, it was deeply in debt and could not pay staff salaries. According to her, Obi met all financial obligations required of him and provided significant support to stabilise the party.
“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 other political parties,” Oparah added.
Clarifying the structure of campaign financing, the former treasurer explained that presidential candidates operated their own campaign accounts separate from party finances. She stated that Obi financed several Labour Party programmes out of pocket, as the party lacked funds at the time.
“He spent a lot of money on the Labour Party. We had programmes that Mr. Obi solely financed by himself because the Labour Party did not have a dime,” she said.
Oparah also criticised the current APC-led government for what she called a lack of accountability and urged the public to focus on holding the ruling party responsible instead of targeting Obi.
Challenging Obi’s accusers, she said: “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 described Obi as a consistent philanthropist, noting, “Anyone that knows Mr. Obi very well knows that his act of charity is five and six, like the air he breathes.”
