Former Anambra Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed his willingness to consider a vice-presidential role in the 2027 general election.

In an exclusive interview with New Central TV, monitored by SaharaReporters on YouTube, Obi stated his primary ambition is to move Nigeria forward.

When asked about potentially being a vice-presidential candidate, Obi said: “Quite frankly, for me, I’m not desperate to be Nigerian president. I am desperate to see Nigeria work. If I see people who can do the work better, I will.”

“I even have people who say I should not come out in 2027 and I said to them, offer yourself. And we will not put everybody on a scale.”

Obi insisted that he would not leave the Labour Party but would consider a merger with other politicians if their purposes resonate with his political desire.

He continued: “Yes, I would be here (at Labour Party), and if anybody is coming for us to negotiate or to come together, he must tell me what his purposes.

“I will not join anybody for state capture or for winning the election. I want anybody to tell me how are we going to ensure that no child is left behind, how are we going to put those millions of out-of-school children back in school.”

Meanwhile. the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party), led by Julius Abure, on Wednesday called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to investigate Obi, activist Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, and leaders of the pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, for the alleged misappropriation of campaign funds in 2023.

At a press briefing in Abeokuta, the LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, raised concerns over the diversion of over N12 billion and $15 million in donations meant for the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign.

The party’s leadership accused Aisha Yesufu and Ighodalo of working alongside Obi to siphon campaign donations.

Arabambi described Obi as a “political merchant,” orchestrating the fraudulent mismanagement of funds.

He also criticised Yesufu’s recent public remarks defending herself, dismissing them as attempts to obscure the truth.

The allegations extended to leaders of Afenifere, including Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Akin Osuntokun, and Sola Ebiseni, whom Arabambi accused of retaining over N600 million in private accounts.

The funds, he claimed, were meant for the party’s campaign but were diverted under Obi’s direction.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended Senator Dino Melaye from Kogi State, citing anti-party activities.

The Ayetoro/Iluagba Ward 1 party executive committee made this decision after reviewing the disciplinary committee’s report on Melaye’s actions.

Melaye’s recent actions were deemed detrimental to the PDP’s interests and unity, prompting the suspension.

This move aligns with the party’s history of taking action against members accused of anti-party activities. A similar instance is the suspension of Osun chieftain Peter Babalola in August 2024 for alleged anti-party activities and non-attendance at party meetings for two years.

The suspension memo was issued on Friday.

In another instance, former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, was also suspended by the Benue PDP over alleged anti-party activities.

Similarly, Senator Gabriel Suswam and others were summoned by the Benue PDP over alleged gross misconduct and anti-party activities.

These actions demonstrate the PDP’s commitment to maintaining party discipline and unity. However, details of Melaye’s suspension are still emerging, and more information is expected to follow.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party (LP), led by Julius Abure, has requested that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Security Adviser (NSA) investigate allegations of campaign fund misappropriation.

At a press briefing in Abeokuta, LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, alleged that: over N12 billion, $15 million in donations meant for the party’s 2023 presidential campaign were diverted.

The party’s leadership specifically implicated: Peter Obi, 2023 presidential candidate, Aisha Yesufu, activist, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, Leaders of the pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere in the alleged misappropriation.

Arabambi claimed Yesufu and Ighodalo collaborated with Obi to siphon campaign donations.

Arabambi described Obi as a “political merchant,” orchestrating the fraudulent mismanagement of funds.

He also criticised Yesufu’s recent public remarks defending herself, dismissing them as attempts to obscure the truth.

The allegations extended to leaders of Afenifere, including Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Akin Osuntokun, and Sola Ebiseni, whom Arabambi accused of retaining over N600 million in private accounts.

The funds, he claimed, were meant for the Labour Party’s campaign but were diverted under Obi’s direction.

The Labour Party is urging the EFCC to act swiftly and investigate the individuals named in what it described as a betrayal of the party’s core principles.

Arabambi said, “The trio of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Akin Osuntokun, and Sola Ebiseni were involved in financial infractions totalling over ₦600 million, which they have kept in private accounts and Afenifere accounts.

“Peter Obi allegedly hired Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, and this faction of Afenifere to commit looting, criminal conspiracy, and diversion of funds from the Labour Party’s presidential campaign while presenting themselves as elder statesmen.”

He said the party is committed to transparency and accountability and called for an investigation into all bank accounts associated with the alleged misconduct.

He called for a thorough investigation into the accounts linked to Adebanjo, Osuntokun, and Ebiseni to ascertain the extent of Afenifere’s involvement in the alleged fraud.