RE: FADURI JOSEPH’S PRESS STATEMENT BY OLUCHI OPARAH, FORMER NATIONAL TREASURER OF THE LABOUR PARTY
It has come to my attention that one Mr. Faduri Joseph has been making misleading claims in the media, presenting himself as a presidential aspirant of the Labour Party for the 2023 general elections. Mr. Joseph has gone further to allege that the ongoing crisis within the Labour Party is “poetic justice” for what he describes as a betrayal he suffered in 2022, claiming he was manipulated and edged out to favor Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate.
I wish to categorically state that Mr. Faduri Joseph was never a presidential aspirant of the Labour Party. To the best of my knowledge, as the National Treasurer of the Labour Party at the time, Mr. Joseph did not purchase the nomination form required to contest the party’s primaries. The process of purchasing a nomination form is a verifiable and mandatory step for any aspirant seeking to participate in the Labour Party’s primary elections. If Mr. Joseph claims to have made any payment in this regard, I challenge him to provide concrete proof of such payment—especially bank transaction record paid into Labour Party’s account. In the absence of such evidence, I urge him to retract his claims and forever remain silent on this matter.
Furthermore, I strongly condemn the growing trend of individuals exploiting the name of Mr. Peter Obi, a respected figure and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, to revive their faltering political careers.
Such actions not only undermine the integrity of our political process but also erode public trust in genuine leadership. The Labour Party, like other political parties in Nigeria, is navigating its challenges, and no one should use Mr. Obi’s name or the party’s internal issues as a platform for personal aggrandizement.
In light of the uncertainty within the Labour Party, I call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as the regulatory body overseeing elections and political parties, to step in and address the complexities surrounding the party’s leadership and operations. This intervention is critical especially in the aftermath of the supreme court’s judgment that removed Abure as the National Chairman of Labour Party, (LP) to restoring order and ensuring transparency. It is worth noting that the Supreme Court, on April 4, 2025, sacked the former Labour Party chairman, Julius Abure, further highlighting the need for urgent resolution.
I urge the media, party members, and the general public to disregard Mr. Joseph’s baseless claims and focus on fostering a political environment grounded in truth, accountability, and integrity. The Labour Party remains committed to its ideals, and we will not allow falsehoods to distract from our mission to serve the Nigerian people.
Signed,
Oluchi Oparah, Former National Treasurer
Labour Party
11/05/25
