The internal crisis within the Labour Party (LP) took another turn as Senator Ireti Kingibe voiced her support for the 29-man caretaker committee formed to resolve the party’s leadership issues. This development came after a stakeholders’ meeting convened by Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti in Umuahia, Abia State. Kingibe expressed her approval while attending a free medical outreach programme for her constituents in Abuja.
Abure Faces Allegations of Misappropriation
As the crisis unfolded, LP National Chairman Julius Abure found himself under fire, with activist Aisha Yesufu accusing him of misappropriating campaign funds. Yesufu, who co-chaired the party’s 2023 campaign fundraising team, criticised Abure in a video posted on her YouTube account. She refuted his claims that the party had no role in managing campaign funds, pointing out discrepancies in Abure’s statements regarding the ‘Labour Party N1,000 Challenge’ donations.
Kingibe’s Support for the Caretaker Committee
Speaking through her Senior Legislative Aide, Dr Chris Omofoma, Kingibe affirmed that every Labour Party member knew that Abure’s tenure had ended in June 2023. She stressed that the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee is necessary to guide the party towards stability. Kingibe further noted that INEC had acknowledged the end of Abure’s tenure, which had been extended by one year to allow the party to recover from the 2023 election losses.
Yesufu’s Response to Abure’s Claims
Yesufu did not hold back in her criticism of Abure, labelling him a liar and calling for transparency regarding the funds raised during the party’s 2023 campaign. In her video, she detailed how the fundraising team had managed donations, highlighting the need for proper accounting from the Labour Party’s leadership. Yesufu also questioned the whereabouts of the money collected through the ‘Labour Party N1,000 Challenge’.
Obi-Datti Fundraising Team Denies Involvement
The Obi-Datti fundraising team issued a statement refuting Abure’s claims that Yesufu and Pastor Itua Ighodalo were solely responsible for managing campaign funds. They clarified that the Labour Party had opened a separate account for donations, which they had no control over. This statement fuelled further accusations against Abure, adding pressure for him to clarify the situation.
Call for Reconciliation Amid Growing Tensions
Despite the growing tension, the Labour Party leadership remains divided. Kingibe’s backing of the caretaker committee suggests a move towards reconciliation, but with allegations of mismanagement still looming, the road to unity seems uncertain. Abure’s response to these accusations will be crucial in determining the party’s next steps as it navigates its internal crisis.
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