Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has promised to discontinue pursuing his ambition and stop campaigning if allegations that he misappropriated Labour Party (LP) donations are proven.
He made the vow on Tuesday while appearing in an exclusive interview on Nevon Media, hosted by Oseni Rufai.
He was reacting to an allegation that he and human rights activist, Aisha Yesufu, siphoned Labour Party donations for the 2023 general election.
In 2024, the National Working Committee of the LP urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to probe Yesufu, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, the party’s former presidential candidate, Obi, and leaders of Afenifere over the alleged misappropriation of funds from the 2023 presidential campaign.
The call was made by the then National Publicity Secretary of the party, Abayomi Arabambi, at a press briefing in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.
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He said, “Peter Obi 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.”
Since the allegation made the rounds, it has elicited mixed reactions among Nigerians, especially among Obi’s supporters and those of his political opponents.
Reacting to the accusation, Obi said if anyone could prove he took as little as 1% of the funds, he would hand over his presidential ambition.
The former Anambra State governor went on to say he would soon take action against those responsible for spreading the false narrative against him.
He said, “I don’t go by people talking nonsensical and listen to them. He said that we took from Labour Party’s account 10 billion naira or $30 million. Where is the account?
“I’m going to include every accuser very soon in the list of the people I want to come out and prove that I took money from the Labour Party’s account or any financial mismanagement allegation.
“Look, if anyone can prove that I took 1% of Labour Party’s donations, I will stop campaigning,” Obi said.