Fresh crisis hits Labour Party, as official is suspended over presidential “campaign funds”

Days after the national leadership of Labour Party quashed a rebellion in the Ogun State chapter of the party, a fresh crisis was reported on Tuesday to be brewing with the suspension of the state chairman of the party, Mrs Esther Gulum for allegations of fraud.

Mrs Gulum has, however, dismissed her being insinuated into the misuse of N20 million alleged to have been handed over to her for the organisation of the recent presidential campaign rally.

Affirming her uprightness, Mrs Gulum who affirmed that she was fully Obidient affirmed that N9 million was what was given to her for the rally and that she was ready to fully give account of the funds.

The State Organising Secretary, Peter Philip, who said the party had lost confidence in her leadership said that the exco had passed a vote of confidence in her.

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Besides, she was accused of anti-party activities with the claim of being an employee of the State Government.

However, reacting the Labour Party chairperson firmly rebutted the allegations, saying that the male dominated executive was witch-hunting her on account of her gender.

She said: “the executives are only out to witch-hunt me because I am a woman. I am not a corrupt leader.

“It is childish and false to say I was given N20 million by Peter Obi’s campaign council and I embezzled it. I was not given N20 million. I was given only N9 million and I used it judiciously with a clear record.

“It is also false to say I am running the party office with my immediate family and I am doing anti-party.”

She asked the National Secretariat of the party and all supporters to disregard the information as it was purely false, targeted at tarnishing her good image and that of her family.

“I am a loyal party woman and I am Obedient,” the Labour Party chairpeson said in playing down the crisis stoked by the allegation of fraud raised against her. (Adapted from GWG)