By Angela Atabo
Labour Party State Chairmen on Tuesday passed a vote of confidence on the National Chairman of the party ,Julius Abure ,stating that no money is missing from the party’s account as alleged.
Mr Ceekay Igara, Chairman,
Council of State Chairmen
Labour Party,made this known during a news conference, when the chairmen paid a courtesy on the National Chairman in Abuja.
Igara said that the visit was necessary to.clear the air on allegations going round that the National Chairman was mismangaing the party’s money.
“The audit report as prepared by the external auditor is very clear about the finances of the party.
” Let me emphatically state here that our money is not missing. We didn’t generate N3.5b as claimed by the now suspended National Treasurer.
“We can confirm that the party only realized N1.3 million during the 2023 general election and another Seven Hundred Million naira donations which was used by the Presidential Campaign Council.
” All these monies were lodged in the banks and were promptly receipted. The audit is also clear about the money generated during the off season elections and how it was managed. “
Igara said that the allegation of the Treasurer that the National Chairman didn’t allow her perform her duties was also a huge lies.
“In all our financial dealings with the national headquarters, she has always being the officer that has attended to us. From the records, virtually all the cheques were signed by her and the National Chairman.
“It is obvious she may have been influenced to lie against the National Chairman,”he said
Igara said that the 36 Chairman also reinforced their confidence on the Abure’s leadership of the Labour Party and his ability to provide good and transparent leadership.
“We are here also to use the opportunity to respond to some of the spurious and unfounded allegations that are being made generally on the leadership of the party.
“This is especially the one that has to do with mismanagement of funds of the party and lack of transparency in the management of the affairs of the party. “
Igara said that the members of the National Executive Committee being critical part of the leadership of the Labour Party were carefully selected based on pedigree, integrity and administrative capacity to lead the party.
He said that the leadership has displayed high level of transparency in the management of the party finances.
“You may be wondering why our National Leader and Presidential Candidate in the last general election, Peter Obi seems to be silent on this matter.
” The truth is that our leader has mediated privately on this matter, he is also aware that the sustained attacks against Abure are sponsored and are politically motivated.
“He is also aware that all the allegations are unfounded and spurious. That is why he chose to remain silent because he knows the truth.
” He also knows that the national chairman is honest and dedicated and he is also passionate about the growth and development of the party.”
Igara said that Obu’s decision to involve an independent auditor is a welcome one and the outcome would finally exonerate Julius Abure and also expose the lies being peddled by the suspended Treasurer.
“We also want to use this opportunity to debunk the allegation that the Labour Party are planning to suspend our National Leader, Peter Obi.
“Like we said earlier, our party is under worst siege ever, including unleashing fierce propaganda against the party.”(NAN)