Peter Obi Did Not Spend Labour Party Funds During 2023 Campaign, Vouchee Former Treasurer

A former National Treasurer of the Labour Party (LP), Oluchi Oparah, has refuted claims that the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, used party funds to finance his campaign. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, Oparah clarified that Obi personally financed all his campaign activities and, in fact, made significant financial contributions to the party during and after his entry. “There was nothing of such. Mr. Obi never spent any money meant for the party,” she said in response to allegations made by a party chieftain, Abayomi Arabambi, who had accused the former Anambra governor of mismanaging LP funds. According to Oparah, prior to Obi’s defection to the party, the Labour Party was struggling financially and could not meet basic obligations such as staff salaries. “Mr. Obi fulfilled every financial responsibility required of him. He even made personal donations to the party. There was never a time he requested or used party funds for his campaign,” she said. She also pointed out that every political candidate has a right to operate an independent campaign account, separate from the party's central finances. The Labour Party, she added, maintained its own official accounts for internal operations. “Obi spent from his personal resources. We had programmes that he solely financed because at the time, the Labour Party did not have a dime,” Oparah said. Criticising what she described as the prevailing lack of transparency in the current APC-led administration, she urged Nigerians to focus on holding the ruling government accountable instead of targeting opposition figures. She also challenged those accusing Obi of financial misconduct to present verifiable evidence of their claims. “As far as I’m concerned, Peter Obi was the only one who genuinely expressed interest in contesting under the Labour Party platform. Anyone making financial claims should come forward with evidence, including the specific accounts to which they allegedly made payments,” she said. Describing Obi as a consistent philanthropist, Oparah praised his generosity and integrity, noting that his charitable nature long predates his presidential ambition. “Anyone who knows Mr. Obi well knows that charity is like second nature to him — it is as natural to him as breathing,” she concluded.