Exclusive: “I Am Waiting For The Auditors To Come” – Embattled LP Chairman Julius Abure Comes Out Swinging

The embattled National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barrister Julius Abure, has fired back against allegations of fraud and misappropriation of party funds levelled against him by the suspended National Treasurer of the party, Ms Oluchi Opara. 

On February 14, during a press conference in Abuja, Opara accused Abure of misappropriating N3.5 billion belonging to the party, which was raised from sales of forms and fundraising activities in the 2023 elections.

However, in an exclusive interview with West Africa Weekly on Thursday, Abure refuted Opara’s allegations. He challenged her to produce her records of the party’s finances from 2014, when she took office, to 2021, saying he was ready to do the same.

He said, “I say it here without fear of contradiction that I am the first National Chairman of the Labour Party to have accounting records.

“When I took over leadership of the party, there were no records, no accounting principles. Initially, money was spent from the party’s account without vouchers, without application or any due process. So, money ends up in the pockets of the National Chairman and the National Treasurer.”

On taking over office, Abure said he decided to change this status quo by implementing accounting policies, checks and balances, and establishing an accounting department. 

He explained that the National Secretary became responsible for generating all expenditure. Once proposed, they fell under the jurisdiction of the National Chairman for approval. Subsequently, the accounting department would process the transaction, issue vouchers and facilitate payment.

“And so, If you want money from the party, you have to apply for it,” he said, stating the procedure he adopted to ensure accountability and prevent money from going into the private accounts of individuals.

“I created that accounting department, and people were not comfortable with it because it was no longer business as usual; people could not steal party money as usual,” Abure said, pointing out instances of financial irregularities predating his tenure.

He provided WAW with a forensic audit report covering October 1, 2014, to November 30, 2017. According to him, the report revealed several cases of financial impropriety implicating the late former L.P. National Chairman Alhaji Abdukadir Abdulsalam and Opara. Abure claimed that the report showed that Opara aided and enabled the misappropriation of the party’s funds by authorising the fraudulent transfer of funds to Salam’s private accounts, his affiliated companies, and even relatives without due process.

“Ask her to produce her records,” he said, “I have my records. She does not. Oluchi has no records,” he emphasised.

Abure further explained that the total amount received for the 2023 election campaign was around N2.1 billion, contrary to Opara’s claim of N3.5 billion. He detailed the breakdown of the funds received over 2022 and 2023, saying:

“In 2022, we received about six hundred and something million naira, including nomination funds, donations, and everything.

“In 2023, because of Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo, the total sales from forms was five hundred and something million. So, the total money for that period was N1.3 billion.

“When P.O. was running his campaign, he decided he was not going to send money directly to the campaign organisation. So he was giving us N100m for the campaign.

“He gave us the money seven times. The money comes into the party’s account and moves to the campaign council. And that money amounted to N700m. That is why the money amounted to N2.1 billion.

“So I say it in my honour that what we got was about N2.1 billion, and all the records are available,” he said, 

He challenged party members who claimed money was diverted into personal accounts to come out and say so.

“All money goes to the party account,” adding that all expenditures carried out had vouchers and the applications followed due process and were well-documented.

He said the party has released its audited report for 2022 with financial statements for 2022 and 2023, which were presented at the National convention and made public. 

He challenged party members, including Peter Obi, to conduct a forensic audit of the party’s finances for that period, stating the books were ready and open for inspection. 

“I am waiting for the auditors to come,” he said. “The books are there, and the accounting department is ready. However, no auditor has been appointed to investigate the accounts.

“If they are ready to audit it, the books are there. It’s even a public document,” Abure stated.

He further mentioned that the party has submitted its 2023 election expenses report to INEC, and its audit statement is prepared for INEC’s review.

Abure also refuted claims that he hindered Opara from fulfilling her duties as National Treasurer.

He said, “Embezzlement in a party does not take place with only one person.

“The National Chairman does not sign cheques alone. He must co-sign with either the National Treasurer or the National Secretary for money to come out. 

“And I can tell you, I’ve been managing those accounts with the treasurer since 2021,” he stated, providing evidence of cheques they co-signed.

Abure urged party members and the Nigerian Labour Congress to focus on addressing political challenges rather than internal conflicts, saying that they should instead channel the energy to fighting the common enemy, which is the political oligarchy in Nigeria that has captured power, held it, and siphoned resources meant for the people.

Read: We received just one bag of rice, paper wrapper after elections- APC Women Leaders lament

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