The National Working Committee of the Labour Party (LP), led by Julius Abure, called on the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate several prominent figures for alleged misappropriation of campaign funds from the 2023 presidential election.
The individuals named include Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and leaders of the Yoruba socio-political organization Afenifere.
The call for investigation was made public by the LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, during a press conference held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Arabambi expressed concerns over recent comments by Aisha Yesufu, who had defended herself against accusations of being involved in the alleged diversion of campaign funds.
According to Arabambi, Yesufu, along with Pastor Ighodalo and other accomplices, allegedly mismanaged and diverted over N12 billion and $15 million in donations intended for the Labour Party’s campaign.
Arabambi dismissed Yesufu’s denials as attempts to cover up the alleged financial misconduct and criticized her statements as an insult to the party’s leadership. He further accused Yesufu and her associates of acting under the direction of Peter Obi, whom he described as a “political merchant,” to defraud the party.
Additionally, Arabambi implicated Afenifere leaders, including Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Akin Osuntokun, and Sola Ebiseni, accusing them of retaining over N600 million in private accounts linked to Afenifere. He claimed that these individuals were hired by Obi to commit fraud and divert funds from the Labour Party’s presidential campaign.
“The trio of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Akin Osuntokun, and Sola Ebiseni were involved in financial infractions totaling over ₦600m, which they have kept in private accounts and Afenifere accounts,” Arabambi stated. “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.”
Arabambi highlighted the party’s commitment to transparency and accountability and called for an investigation into all bank accounts associated with the alleged misconduct. He urged a thorough investigation into the accounts linked to Adebanjo, Osuntokun, and Ebiseni to ascertain the extent of Afenifere’s involvement in the alleged fraud.
In response to these allegations, Dr. Yunisa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, described the allegations as baseless and false.
“The allegations are unfounded. I was present when Aisha Yesufu provided the audited account of the presidential campaign fund, and the truth is that no money is missing from the Labour Party’s accounts,” Dr. Tanko stated in a phone conversation with our correspondent.
Oba Oladipo Olaitan, the Deputy Leader of Afenifere, when contacted, said he was not familiar with the allegations. “I have just seen the lengthy press statement you are referring to. I have not read it, but if Afenifere needs to respond later, we will certainly do so,” Olaitan said.
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