Abure warns against unauthorised Obi campaign funds

Former National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, has cautioned the Nigeria Democratic Congress against permitting individuals and support groups to gather funds for the 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, without obtaining the party's authorization. Abure expressed his concern that permitting such actions could compromise the party's authority and potentially lead to the crisis experienced by the Labour Party during the 2023 general elections.

This warning came in light of a recent fundraising initiative launched by Aisha Yesufu, an activist and Obi supporter, who called on Nigerians to contribute to Obi's presidential bid. Yesufu made the announcement in a video shared on X, urging people to assume responsibility for the political project by making contributions, regardless of the size.

However, Abure cautioned that allowing Yesufu to raise funds without NDC approval could result in legal consequences. He stated that if the NDC Campaign Council disapproves of Yesufu's fundraising efforts, then she lacks the authority to proceed; otherwise, her actions could be prosecuted as a criminal matter. The former LP chairman expressed no surprise at the development, attributing it to a similar situation that occurred within the Labour Party during the 2023 elections.

Abure noted that despite Obi's disclosure that campaign donations would be managed by certain individuals, he consented to the arrangement as his primary focus was the campaign's success rather than generating revenue. However, he reiterated that all fundraising activities should be carried out with the knowledge and consent of the political party, emphasizing that the party owns the platform upon which candidates run for office and must retain control over campaign financing.