Abure warns against unauthorized fundraising for Obi's campaign

Former National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, has cautioned the Nigeria Democratic Congress not to let individuals and support groups raise money for its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, without the party's knowledge and approval.

Abure said that allowing these arrangements could weaken the party's authority and lead to crises like the ones that affected the LP during the 2023 elections.

He spoke after activist and Obi supporter, Aisha Yesufu, launched a new fundraising effort on Wednesday, asking Nigerians to donate to Obi's presidential campaign.

Yesufu shared a video on X, encouraging people not to let Obi carry the financial burden of the campaign alone. She urged Nigerians to support the political cause by contributing any amount they can.

But Abure, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, warned that the party must supervise all campaign donations and not let individuals control them.

He stated that if Yesufu collects funds without the NDC's approval, it could have legal consequences. "So, if the NDC Campaign Council does not want Aisha to collect those funds, then she has no authority to do that. And if she does, it amounts to a criminal matter that can be prosecuted," he said.

The former LP chairman expressed that he was not surprised by this situation. He claimed that similar actions by Obi's supporters led to the troubles in the party after the 2023 elections.

He mentioned that while Obi had told him that certain individuals would handle campaign donations, he allowed it because he wanted the presidential campaign to succeed. "I am not surprised. That was the exact thing they did in the Labour Party. However, I was informed. It wasn’t as if I was not aware. In fairness, Obi mentioned it to me that he wanted the campaign funds, donations and everything to be handled by some persons."

"So, I allowed them to do it, since our aim was not to make money. My objective was the success of the campaign. It was not about making money from the process or what I could gain," he added.

He insisted that fundraising by individuals and groups must be done with the party’s knowledge and approval. According to him, the party owns the platform where candidates run for elections and must oversee campaign financing.

Meanwhile, the National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Osa Director, expressed confidence that Yesufu had the party's backing. Director said he did not know about the fundraising initiative but believed Yesufu would have gotten approval from the party leadership and its candidates.

He noted that various support groups, like the Obidients and Kwankwasiyya movements, were working together to ensure victory for Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, in the January 16, 2027 presidential election.

"Aisha is a member of the party and I believe that whatever she’s doing would have the blessing of the party hierarchy to do that. If it doesn’t, I’m sure the party will also make its feelings known through the appropriate quota."

"But I want to believe that she has the blessing of the party because we are all on the same page. We are pursuing the same goal and the same objective," Director said.