In the midst of a controversy surrounding his six-month suspension by the National Working Committee of the Labour Party, the party’s treasurer has alleged that the party’s embattled national chairman, Julius Abure, is planning to suspend the 2023 presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi.
He vehemently refuted the decision to suspend him, alleging it was a cover-up for ongoing corruption within the party ranks.
The suspended treasurer, whose name was not disclosed in an interview with The PUNCH, accused the party’s national chairman, Julius Abure, of orchestrating the suspension to conceal corruption allegations against him. He insisted that the accusations against Abure were substantial and warranted further investigation.
Responding to queries about the alleged attempt to suspend Peter Obi, a prominent member of the party, the treasurer claimed it was a ploy by Abure to stifle dissent within the party ranks. He accused Abure of manipulating state executives to consolidate his power and shield himself from scrutiny.
He said, “Everybody knows it wasn’t justified because they only did that to cover their ills from the public because the allegations out there are clear and loud.
“Julius Abure should tell us that all the allegations of corruption levelled against him are false. He should just come out clearly and say that I’ve lied against him instead of trying to jump to a conclusion.
“But the good thing is I’ve also sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission so that they can investigate the account.
“Again, Mr Peter Obi has also come out to say that the account will be thoroughly investigated hence the reason Julius Abure has been trying to suspend him from the party.
“That is the news out there because nothing is hidden. We all heard that he had been trying to do that. He has been trying to use the members of state executives. I mean the state chairmen.
“They’re trying to tell them that their jobs will be taken hence the reason why they all needed to come up together and stand and fight. Again, fighting for what? The allegations are clear. The allegations were too weighty to face, but he is going by the cunning way and trying to cut corners by trying to cover them. Those tracks will not be covered.”
Despite the dismissal of corruption allegations by the 36 state chairmen of the party, the treasurer maintained that the matter was before the Federal High Court and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation.
Regarding his role as national treasurer, the suspended official asserted that Abure had sidelined him in financial matters, leading to mismanagement of party funds. He highlighted discrepancies in financial records and raised concerns about the misuse of party resources.
The treasurer further alleged that Abure failed to account for donations received during a fundraising campaign in the United States, raising questions about transparency and accountability within the party leadership.
In response to claims of being a mole within the party, the treasurer vehemently denied the allegations, attributing them to misinformation spread by party officials aligned with Abure.
Despite his suspension, the treasurer expressed his commitment to remain in the Labour Party and pursue legal action against Abure and his associates. He criticized the NWC for its handling of the situation, accusing them of bias and misinformation.
Amid concerns about the party’s stability, particularly in light of recent defections in Edo State, the treasurer called for Abure’s removal to restore integrity and transparency within the party.
