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.
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