Alleged N3.5bn Scandal: Peter Obi Breaks Silence.
In a press conference held on Thursday in Abuja, Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi urged a comprehensive investigation into the alleged financial mismanagement accusations against the LP National Chairman, Comrade Julius Abure. Obi emphasized the need for transparency within the party’s financial dealings and proposed appointing a reputable audit firm to scrutinize and reconcile the party’s accounts.
The call for an inquiry comes in the wake of the suspension of LP’s National Treasurer, Mrs. Oluchi Oparah, for six months by the National Working Committee (NWC). Oparah, who has vowed to challenge her suspension in court, accused Chairman Abure of mishandling N3.5bn raised from nomination forms and fundraising activities leading up to the 2023 general election.
Aisha Yesufu, the Chairman of the Fundraising Team of the Obi-Datti Campaign Organization, disclosed the financial details of the campaign during the press briefing. She revealed that a total of N595,976,994.00 was received from donations, with additional support of N800,000,000.00 from candidate Peter Obi himself. Yesufu highlighted the challenges faced, including over N744,500,000.00 in legal disputes related to the 2023 presidential election.
The campaign expenditures were outlined by Yesufu, with N258,374,330.00 allocated for procuring and distributing campaign materials across all states. Media and radio broadcasting costs amounted to N16,432,867.00, while expenses for election promotion, polling unit agents, bank charges, and administrative fees were also detailed.
Yesufu acknowledged the importance of accountability and transparency, expressing gratitude to donors and assuring that the funds were judiciously utilized despite financial constraints. The call for an investigation into the LP’s financial affairs is now at the forefront, as the party grapples with internal turmoil and legal challenges.
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