News

N3.5bn Accusation: Obi says Labour Party Will Hire Independent Auditor For Accounts

Published

7 months ago

February 15, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…N744.5m spent on litigation after 2023 general elections

By Gloria Ikibah

Amid the fresh crisis rocking the Labour Party over the sale of forms and fundraising activities for the 2023 General Elections, the Presidential Candidate of the party, H.E Peter Obi has said that an independent audit firm will audit the accounts of the party.

Obi stated this in Abuja on Thursday at a press briefing organised by the Obi/Baba-Ahmed Campaign Group to present the report of its fundraising during the 2023 General elections.

He stated that the allegations and counter allegations in the party must be thoroughly investigated and reconciled

He stated: ‘There has been all sorts of comments and allegations, like one of the people said about $150 million, let me categorically state it that all the funds received directly or indirectly from the diaspora is not up to 1 percent of the money mentioned, and this, some of it is changed and given to Aisha.

“We were actually going to go to the various people who supported us in diaspora to say thank you and tell them what was realised. And we are also going to put an information out there that whoever knows where funds were supposed to have been remitted to help us trace and get back. But know that people are claiming we receive 150 million dollars and I state here, we haven’t seen 1 percent and I stand here to dispute and prove that.

Responding to questions on the many allegations at the party level, the National Chairman of LP, Julius Abure been called by the party’s National Treasurer, Oluchi Opara, to account for N3 5bn raised from sale of forms and fundraising activities before and during the General elections. Obi said the party will give a transparent account of funds realised during the campaign process.

“What we are doing today is distinct and completely separate from the party and the party fund. We are just dealing with Obi-Datti campaign funds and I ahve told everybody if what ever we received directly, indirectly will be accounted for transparently. For the party, I am a member of the party and they have chosen to say I am the leader.

“What we need to do in the party and I discussed it with the leadership, is that we must now appoint a reputable audit firm to audit and be able to deal with the accounting of the party. When I am involve in anywhere money is, it must be transparent.

“So there is the allegation and counter allegation now that must be thoroughly investigated and verified,and we will reconcile it and know exactly what we are doing. Within here is accounting for the campaign and I am using the opportunity also to appeal to the various support groups or individuals and parties that received some form of funding to support what we are doing, which we are very grateful to account to those they received it from. Because there are some people who supported some supported groups, there some people even abroad who collected money and said they are going to use it to work in the North and everything. We were not stringent that anything you collect must come to us but we want whatever is collected to be accounted for. That’s why we appeal to the public, if you think this happened here and everything,let us know”, Obi stated.

Briefing newsmen on the aftermath of the 2023 elections after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the then All Progressives Congress (INEC) candidate Bola Tinubu as the winner of the election.

Chairman of the Fundraising Team of the Campaign Organisation, Aisha Yesufu, said that the LP went to court as lawyers were hired to pursue legal cases from the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT) all through the Supreme Court.

She disclosed that the campaign Organisation spent over N744,500,000 in litigation in courts over the 2023 presidential election.

The Chairman of the Fundraising Team of the Campaign Organisation, Aisha Yesufu, who disclosed this, also stated that the LP received donations totalling N595,976,994.00 from Nigerians.

“Accountability and transparency are very critical and important; that is why we asked people to donate so that we could come back to them to explain how their money was judiciously used.

“We thank everyone who donated in cash and kindness. From the donations from citizens, we received N595,976,994. This is the money we raised from the four accounts that we have talked about. We also received N8,000,00.00 from the candidate himself (Peter Obi),” she said.

News

President Tinubu Speaks On Ajuri Ngelale’s Indefinite Leave Request

Published

11 mins ago

September 8, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has endorsed Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, indefinite leave request.

Recall Ngelale, in a statement on Saturday, announced an indefinite leave of absence.

He proceeded on the leave to attend to pressing medical matters affecting his immediate family.

In a statement he posted on his general communication WhatsApp platform on Saturday, Ngelale revealed that he submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff on Friday.

He noted that the memo was a means of notifying him of the decision to pause his functions, including his roles as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.

Ngelale explained that the decision was after consultations with his family due to a worsening medical situation at home.

He expressed hope to return to full-time national service when circumstances permit.

In a statement posted on X by Tinubu’s Special Assistant on New Media, Olusegun Dada and signed by the Presidency, Tinubu approved Ngelale’s request.

Tinubu stated that he fully understands his Chief spokesperson’s reason and sympathizes with the circumstances that have led to this seemingly difficult decision.

The statement read: “The President has received the memo from Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President as well as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, informing of his decision to proceed on an indefinite leave of absence for personal and health reasons.

“The President accepts his reasons for the leave, fully understands them and sympathizes with the circumstances that have led to this seemingly difficult decision.

“While extending his heartfelt prayers and best wishes to Chief Ngelale and his family during this challenging moment, the President hopes for a speedy recovery and full restoration to health.

“The President notes his tireless efforts and dedication in serving the nation, and thanks him for the remarkable contributions he made in his various capacities, especially in advancing national discourse and leading efforts on climate action and other key initiatives.

“The President wishes him well in all his future endeavors.

“During this period, we kindly ask that the wish for privacy of Chief Ngelale and his family be respected.”

News

Confusion As FG Denies Ownership Of Yacht Spotted In France With Nigerian Flag

Published

17 mins ago

September 8, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

…says it belongs to an undisvcosed private individual

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The presidency, on Saturday, denied ownership of a yacht spotted hoisting Nigerian flag in St-Tropez, a coastal town in France.

There had been reports of a “presidential yacht belonging to the Nigerian government being used for vacation at St Tropez” on social media.

Senior Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on digital and new media, Otega Ogra, in a post on X, said the yacht belongs to a private individual.

The presidential aide said flags used by the president or armed forces do not contain the coat of arms like the one on the yacht.

Ogra said on Saturday, “There have been false claims circulating that a private individual’s yacht was spotted in St. Tropez is a Nigerian government yacht. Here are some points to consider in order to discern the truth.

“The 42m Bennetti yacht currently being shared online has been privately owned for around 5 years since it was constructed.

It is important to note that this specific yacht has no connection or ownership ties to the Nigerian government, president or armed forces. Any claims or assertions suggesting otherwise are simply not true and inaccurate.

“It is not uncommon for luxury yachts to fly the flag of the owner’s country as well as the flag of the country in which they are registered.

“The official Nigerian flag is Green-White-Green without a coat of arms in the middle. Flags representing the Nigerian President or the Armed Forces do not contain a coat of arms in the center. Placing anything in the center of the flag is a clear deviation

News

Constituency Devt: Senator Manu fulfils promise, installs solar energy as alternative source of power for constituents(Photos)

Published

28 mins ago

September 7, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

In a bid to enhance better life for his constituents, Senator Manu Haruna has facilatated installation of solar energy in Takalafiya community in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Senator Manu who represents Taraba Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly fulfilled his promise of ensuring the energy needs of his constituents are adequately taken care of.

This initiative reflects his unwavering commitment to addressing the energy needs of his constituents by providing a reliable and sustainable power source.

The solar energy project is expected to improve the quality of life in the community, enabling access to electricity for homes, schools, and local businesses, while also promoting environmental sustainability.

This project is part of Senator Haruna’s broader efforts to enhance infrastructure and development in Taraba Central.

Manu is also working tirelessly to make sure areas not connected to the national grid are connected within the shortest period possible.