The leadership of the Labour Party (LP), headed by its National Working Committee (NWC), has called for a thorough investigation into alleged financial misconduct involving key figures in the party’s 2023 presidential campaign.
The party is urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to probe its presidential candidate, Peter Obi; activist Aisha Yesufu; Pastor Itua Ighodalo; and several prominent members of the socio-political group, Afenifere.
At a press conference held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday, LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, made the allegations public.
Arabambi claimed that over N12bn and $15m in campaign donations meant for the Labour Party’s presidential run were allegedly misappropriated by Obi, Yesufu, and others.
According to him, this alleged mismanagement also involved key figures from Afenifere, including Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Akin Osuntokun, and Sola Ebiseni, who were accused of retaining over N600m in private accounts linked to the group.
Arabambi expressed alarm over recent statements made by Yesufu, who had previously denied any involvement in the alleged diversion of funds.
He dismissed her defense as an attempt to cover up what he called a “massive financial fraud” orchestrated by Obi and his associates.
“We are witnessing a coordinated effort by these individuals, who have positioned themselves as elder statesmen, to defraud the party,”
Arabambi stated. “Peter Obi, Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, and the Afenifere leadership have betrayed the trust of millions of Labour Party supporters who believed in our message of accountability and transparency.”
According to Arabambi, these accusations are backed by evidence of financial infractions involving large sums of money being funneled into private and group accounts, instead of being used for the party’s campaign.
He went further to accuse Afenifere leaders of acting on Obi’s instructions to siphon campaign funds, calling them “political merchants” hired to deceive the public.
The Labour Party’s NWC is demanding a comprehensive investigation into the bank accounts associated with the accused parties, stating that only an independent and transparent probe will clear the air surrounding these allegations.
Arabambi stressed that the party would continue to pursue justice in order to maintain its commitment to integrity, which was a cornerstone of its 2023 presidential campaign.
As of the time of this report, neither Obi nor the leaders of Afenifere have publicly responded to the allegations.
However, Arabambi made it clear that the Labour Party would continue to push for an EFCC probe, insisting that no one involved in the misappropriation of funds should be shielded from investigation.
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