The National Working Committee of the Labour Party has demanded investigations into prominent figures including Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, and the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for purported financial misconduct related to the 2023 presidential campaign.
This call for an inquiry was made by the party’s National Publicity Secretary at a press conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Concerns were raised regarding Yesufu’s recent defense against accusations of misappropriating campaign funds, with allegations suggesting that she and others mismanaged over N12 billion and $15 million designated for the Labour Party’s campaign.
The Labour Party’s spokesperson criticized Yesufu’s denials as attempts to obscure alleged financial wrongdoing, labeling her remarks as disrespectful to the party’s leadership. He further accused her and associates of conspiring under Obi’s direction, branding him a “political merchant” involved in defrauding the party.
Additionally, allegations against Afenifere leaders, including Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Akin Osuntokun, and Sola Ebiseni, were made, claiming that they held over N600 million in private accounts tied to Afenifere. The spokesperson stated that these individuals were allegedly employed by Obi to perpetrate fraud and misappropriate campaign funds.
He emphasized the party’s dedication to transparency, calling for an extensive probe into all accounts connected to the alleged financial misdeeds involving Afenifere’s leaders.
In response, a representative from the Obedient Movement dismissed the allegations, asserting their lack of basis. He claimed that Aisha Yesufu had presented an audited account for the campaign, confirming that no funds were missing from the Labour Party’s records.
A Deputy Leader of Afenifere expressed unfamiliarity with the claims but indicated that a response may be forthcoming after reviewing the press statement.
