The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party (LP) has called on the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, social activist Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, and leaders of Afenifere over alleged misappropriation of funds during the 2023 presidential campaign.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, made the call during a press conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday, expressing concerns over what he described as recent attempts to cover up financial misconduct. Arabambi accused Yesufu, Ighodalo, and others of diverting over N12 billion and $15 million in donations meant for the Labour Party’s campaign.
In response, Yesufu posted a video on her YouTube channel, defending herself against the accusations and calling them false. She criticised the LP’s leadership, particularly the party’s national chairman, Julius Abure, for allegedly failing to account for campaign funds raised by the party.
“That statement by Abure was a big fat lie,” Yesufu said. “He claims no campaign funds were misused, yet the Labour Party has not accounted for the public donations they received, including the proceeds from the ‘Labour Party N1,000 Challenge’ campaign. Meanwhile, they accuse others of fraud.”
Yesufu also revealed that she had raised concerns over the Labour Party’s handling of campaign finances since 2022, especially regarding the account opened by Abure for the LP’s campaign. She emphasised her insistence on proper financial procedures throughout the campaign.
Arabambi dismissed Yesufu’s defense, accusing her and her associates of deflecting blame. He went further, accusing Obi of orchestrating the alleged fraud, describing him as a “political merchant” who worked with Yesufu, Ighodalo, and Afenifere leaders, including Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Akin Osuntokun, and Sola Ebiseni, to siphon campaign funds.
According to Arabambi, the trio of Afenifere leaders allegedly retained over ₦600 million in private accounts, money that was intended for the Labour Party’s presidential campaign. He claimed that these funds were diverted under Obi’s instruction.
In response to these claims, Dr. Yunisa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, rejected the allegations as baseless. “I was present when Aisha Yesufu provided an audited account of the campaign funds. No money is missing from the Labour Party’s accounts,” Tanko stated.
The Labour Party’s call for an investigation by the NSA and EFCC adds another layer of controversy to the ongoing internal disputes within the party, raising questions about the transparency and accountability of its campaign funding.
