Alleged Misappropriation Of N3.5bn: LP State Chairmen Tell Abure To Step Aside

The 36 state chairs of the Labour Party (LP) have requested that Barr Julius Abure, the party’s national chairman, resign so that a thorough and impartial inquiry into the charge of embezzlement of party funds made against him can take place.

In an address to journalists in Abuja on Saturday night, the Forum of LP States Chairmen from the 36 States of the Federation made the call, escorted by Comrade Solomon Ndem, the Chairman of the Plateau State Labour Party.

Remember that prior to the general election of 2023, Abure was requested to account for N3.5 billion that was made from the sales of nomination forms and other activities by Oluchi Opara, the LP National Treasurer.

Reading the text of the briefing made available to Journalists in Bauchi, Solomon Ndem stated that, “We extend warm greetings to all faithful members of the Labour Party (LP) of Nigeria and to every Nigerian dedicated to the New Nigeria project. Your commitment and enthusiasm for positive change are truly commendable.”

The Forum added that, “We stand before you with a profound appreciation for the responsiveness of HE Peter G. Obi, a stalwart in our party, for his swift action in response to the call for the external auditing of the LP accounts. This gesture underscores his unwavering commitment to transparency and the principles of the New Nigeria project.

“However, we find ourselves at a critical juncture where we must address certain internal matters for the sake of our party’s integrity in the spirit of openness and accountability as elected Chairmen of Labour Party in Nigeria, we wish to address certain concerns that have come to our attention,” the Forum stressed.

“We are appealing to His Excellency, Peter G. Obi, Senator Ahmed Datti, and other distinguished personalities within the party to join us in requesting Barrister Julius Abure to step aside.

“This step is essential to facilitate the establishment of an independent investigative panel that will thoroughly examine various allegations, including the misappropriation of funds level against him by the Treasurer of our Party and indeed the complaints of forgery and impersonation by a lot of our party aggrieved members.”

The Forum added, “It is crucial that no one acts as a judge in his own case, and we believe this measure will ensure a fair and impartial inquiry.

“Furthermore, we want to draw attention to a critical matter that could impact the upcoming off-season election in Edo State. We want to remind the party and the people of Edo State about the potential repercussions if we emerge victorious and these legal complexities surrounding the leadership of the party have not been addressed,” it stressed.

“A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, led by Justice Hamza Muazu, on April 5th, 2023, restrained Barrister Abure from parading himself as the National Chairman of the LP. It is imperative for the party and the people of Edo State to consider this matter seriously, as the actions of one individual should not jeopardize the efforts of our candidate and the aspirations of our voters in Edo State.

“In conclusion, let us emphasize that this press conference is convened in good faith. We remain committed to the principles of the New Nigeria project and believe that by addressing these concerns head-on, we can strengthen the Labour Party, uphold justice, and continue our journey towards a brighter future. Long live Labour Party, and long live the great people of Nigeria,” it concluded.

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