The Labour Party’s National Working Committee, led by Julius Abure, has urged the National Security Adviser and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe allegations of financial misconduct involving prominent figures including Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and Afenifere leaders. This call follows claims of misappropriation and diversion of campaign funds from the 2023 presidential election.
At a press conference held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday, the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, expressed grave concern over recent remarks made by Yesufu.
Yesufu had defended herself against accusations of being involved in the alleged mismanagement of over N12 billion and $15 million in donations intended for the Labour Party’s campaign. Arabambi dismissed Yesufu’s denials as attempts to obscure the truth and criticized her comments as insulting to the party’s leadership.
Arabambi further alleged that Yesufu, alongside Pastor Ighodalo and other associates, mismanaged and diverted significant funds from the campaign. He also implicated Afenifere leaders Ayo Adebanjo, Akin Osuntokun, and Sola Ebiseni in retaining over N600 million in private and Afenifere-linked accounts. Arabambi accused these individuals of being hired by Obi to facilitate financial misconduct and fund diversion while masquerading as elder statesmen.
“The trio of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Akin Osuntokun, and Sola Ebiseni were involved in financial infractions totaling over ₦600 million, which they have kept in private 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 fund diversion from the Labour Party’s presidential campaign.”
Arabambi reiterated the party’s commitment to transparency and accountability, calling for a comprehensive investigation into all associated bank accounts to uncover the full extent of the alleged financial misconduct.
In response,the National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement Yunisa Tanko dismissed the allegations as baseless. “The allegations are unfounded. I was present when Aisha Yesufu provided the audited account of the presidential campaign fund, and there is no missing money from the Labour Party’s accounts,” Tanko asserted.
The Labour Party’s call for investigation highlights the ongoing tensions and scrutiny surrounding the 2023 presidential campaign’s financial management.
