Nigeria News

Labour Party asks EFCC, NSA to investigate Peter Obi, Aisha Yesufu, Afenifere over campaign funds

The Labour Party’s (LP) National Working Committee has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to launch an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds from the 2023 presidential campaign.

The party specifically urged a probe into the roles of its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, activist Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, and leaders of Afenifere, a Yoruba socio-political group.

Abayomi Arabambi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, made this appeal during a press conference held on Wednesday in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

He expressed concerns over recent allegations that significant campaign donations were mismanaged and diverted, totaling over ₦12 billion and $15 million.

The Labour Party had earlier accused Yesufu, Ighodalo, and other associates of mismanaging campaign funds meant for the party’s 2023 presidential bid.

Yesufu, in response, took to her official YouTube account to dismiss the accusations, directly challenging the LP leadership, particularly its National Chairman, Julius Abure, to explain what happened to funds raised under the ‘Labour Party N1,000 Challenge.’

In her viral video, Yesufu stated, “Abure’s claims are nothing but a big fat lie. He’s trying to deceive people like in the old days when leaders could get away with anything. But now, we keep records, and the internet doesn’t forget. I am meticulous and process-driven, and I can confirm that everything I handled was transparent.”

Yesufu also highlighted that the Labour Party had opened an account for donations before Obi’s official campaign account was set up, further expressing frustration that money raised through that account was not used to support the presidential campaign.

Arabambi, however, dismissed Yesufu’s response as an attempt to cover up financial misconduct.

He accused her, along with Ighodalo and leaders of Afenifere—Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Akin Osuntokun, and Sola Ebiseni—of collaborating with Obi to defraud the party. He claimed they siphoned campaign funds into personal and Afenifere-linked accounts.

“The trio of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Akin Osuntokun, and Sola Ebiseni were involved in financial misdeeds, hoarding over ₦600 million in private and Afenifere accounts,” Arabambi alleged.

“Peter Obi hired these individuals, along with Aisha Yesufu and Pastor Ighodalo, to loot and divert funds meant for the Labour Party’s presidential campaign under the guise of political elder statesmanship.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, dismissed the accusations as baseless.

He stated, “These allegations are false. I was there when Aisha Yesufu presented the audited accounts of the campaign fund, and no money is missing from Labour Party accounts.”

Treasure Orokpo

A multi-talented individual with a passion for diverse fields, Treasure Orokpo is a trained journalist, skilled cook, and AI enthusiast. When she's not uncovering the latest stories, you can find her whipping up culinary creations in the kitchen and entertainment.

Recent Posts

Probe panel: Ortom defeats Benue state govt at appeal court

The Court of Appeal, Makurdi Division, on Thursday set aside the ruling of the Benue…

8 hours ago

Police take action over murder of lawyer Mark Ofikwu in Otukpo

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the tragic killing of prominent Otukpo-based lawyer and…

9 hours ago

BREAKING: Reps reject bill proposing six-year single tenure for president, governors

A bill proposing a six-year single term for the office of the president and state…

11 hours ago

BREAKING: Senate approves Tinubu’s ₦1.77 Trillion loan request to address 2024 Budget deficit

The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s ₦1.77 trillion ($2.2b) loan request following a voice…

11 hours ago

Finland arrests Simon Ekpa, four others over terrorism financing

Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader, Simon Ekpa, and four others have been arrested in Finland for involvement…

11 hours ago

BREAKING: Biafra: Simon Ekpa arrested in Finland

Finnish-Nigerian separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa, and four other persons have been arrested in Finland over…

12 hours ago