A recent disaster has hit a faction of the Labor Social gathering led by Julius Abure after its Nationwide Treasurer, Oluchi Opara, demanded accountability for about N3.5 billion in celebration funds.
Opara introduced this on Monday throughout a information briefing in Abuja.
In keeping with her, the funds have been proceeds from the sale of kinds and different fundraising actions for the 2023 basic elections within the nation.
Opara mentioned: “It’s with nice reluctance and deep concern that I’m compelled to publicly handle the media on the blatant monetary mismanagement and corruption that has plagued our beloved celebration underneath the management of Mr. Julius Abure, the present Nationwide Chairman.
“As Nationwide Treasurer, I’m compelled to seem earlier than you and the general public immediately as a result of the interior mechanisms of our celebration have failed miserably to carry Mr. Abure accountable for his brazen abuse of workplace and misappropriation of celebration funds.
“His thirst for energy has grown uncontrollably and he has intentionally undermined my duties and authority as stipulated within the celebration's structure.”
In the meantime, the Labor Social gathering refuted the place of the celebration's treasurer, saying the allegations have been malicious and that Oparah was underneath outdoors affect, prompting her to learn out a “fabricated assertion ready by opponents to tarnish the picture of the to tarnish the celebration”.
The celebration, in an announcement by its Nationwide Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, mentioned: “The eye of the management of the celebration has been drawn to a press convention by our Nationwide Treasurer, Mrs. Oluchi Opara, the place she leveled a variety of allegations in opposition to the Nationwide Chairman, Julius Abure , who’s extra involved with corruption and abuse of workplace.
The assertion learn: “Apart from the Nationwide Treasurer, whose time period of workplace expires in just a few weeks, and who has served as Nationwide Treasurer for eight years with no single celebration account, no different member of the nationwide working committee has addressed any concern of embezzlement raised in opposition to our nationwide chairman, who made a promise underneath the belief that the celebration must be renewed.
“Proof is our proactive actions within the 2023 basic elections, when the celebration introduced an excellent presidential candidate for the primary time.
“Let it’s mentioned that the Labor Social gathering didn’t earn $3.5 billion as alleged, and the Nationwide Chairman didn’t embezzle cash belonging to the celebration as alleged. The information are there, besides that Mrs. Oluchi Opara doesn’t even know primary accounting, whilst a treasurer. The celebration engages an exterior auditor and our account is consistently monitored by INEC or different regulatory authorities,” the assertion mentioned.
The celebration confused that Abure isn’t the proprietor of a number of homes and properties as claimed by the Nationwide Treasurer regardless of there being no regulation prohibiting him from proudly owning properties.
“The Labor Social gathering Structure in Article 14:1b supplies that the Nationwide Chairman shall be the Accounting Officer of the Social gathering, whereas 14:1d “shall approve all expenditure and be a signatory to the checking account(s) of the Social gathering.”
“Accordingly, Article 14:6 states that the Nationwide Treasurer “shall obtain and deposit at once into the account(s) of the Social gathering all monies acquired for and on behalf of the Social gathering.
“Shall make sure the preparation of the annual accounts/reviews on the celebration's funds, together with the compilation of the celebration's belongings and liabilities, and make the identical obtainable to the Nationwide Government Council every so often. Will likely be a co-signer of the Social gathering Account(s).”
“These sections are clear on the responsibility of the Nationwide Chairman aside from offering management. The function of the Nationwide Treasurer can also be clearly outlined.”
Nevertheless, the celebration mentioned it will definitively deliver Opara earlier than the disciplinary committee the place applicable motion can be taken in opposition to her.
