Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure, has issued a fiery response to internal critics, including the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, amid rising tensions over allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement.
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja, Abure dismissed the claims as baseless and dared his accusers to publicly present evidence of any money they gave to him or the party during the 2023 general elections.
He insisted he never received any personal funds and warned that he would not hesitate to expose those attacking his integrity.
“I want them to come out—Peter Obi, Alex Otti, anyone—and declare what they gave to me or the party,” Abure said. “Who gave the money? Who received it? Let them speak now with or without proof, or forever keep quiet.”
Abure, who had previously maintained silence on the matter, said he held back in the interest of peace within the party. But according to him, the situation has now reached a point where silence is no longer an option.
“As a leader, I took the blame, accepted both good and bad, and chose not to speak on certain matters,” he said.
“But now that the attacks have gone too far, if they provoke me again, I’ll speak—and when I do, they’ll stink like rotten eggs.”
He revealed plans to hold a world press conference to fully address the internal unrest and accusations, promising to clear the air once and for all.
Turning his attention to Governor Otti, Abure accused the Abia leader of failing to support the party financially during the elections. “That governor jumping like a cricket, he didn’t give us a kobo. If he gave money to anyone, let him say so.”
Abure recalled a meeting with Otti at Transcorp Hilton, where he said the governor offered to assist. “I told him to focus on his campaign and use his own money. I didn’t ask him for anything,” Abure claimed.
The remarks reflect the escalating crisis within the Labour Party as key figures trade accusations ahead of future political battles.