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.
