Campaign funds: LP asks EFCC to probe Obi, Yesufu, Afenifere

The National Working Committee of the Labour Party, led by Julius Abure, has called on the National Security Adviser and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and leaders of Afenifere for alleged misappropriation of funds from the 2023 presidential campaign. The call was made by the LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, at a press conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday. Arabambi expressed concern over recent comments by Yesufu, who defended herself against accusations of being involved in the alleged diversion of the 2023 campaign funds. The party has alleged that Yesufu, along with Pastor Ighodalo and other accomplices, mismanaged and diverted over N12bn and $15m in donations intended for the Labour Party’s campaign. Arabambi dismissed Yesufu’s denials as attempts to cover up the alleged financial misconduct and criticised her statements as an insult to the party’s leadership. He also accused Yesufu and her associates of acting under the direction of 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 N600m 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. The National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, Dr. Yunisa Tanko, 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. The Deputy Leader of Afenifere, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, 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.