News
N3.5bn Accusation: Obi says Labour Party Will Hire Independent Auditor For Accounts
…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.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has expressed sadness over the death of former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris.
Idris, a former industrialist and two-term governor of Kogi State, reportedly died in the United Kingdom on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
In a condolence message, Enikanolaiye commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the Kogi State Government and people of the state, as well as his associates across the country.
The minister described the death as “unexpected” and urged Nigerians to draw consolation from the exemplary life Idris lived and the legacies he left behind as a man of peace committed to the good of all.
Enikanolaiye said Idris made significant contributions to business, public service and philanthropy, leaving behind projects that defined his tenure as governor.
He said: “The former industrialist has left very bold footmarks on the sand of time in business, public service, and philanthropy. The greater Lokoja water scheme, the international market, several roads and bridges, State Secretariat phase two, and construction of housing estates across the state, in addition to prompt payment of salaries are some of the legacies that defined his public service.
“He was a very tolerant leader and a voice of unity who saw humanity in all irrespective of creed, class, and tribe.
“For me at a personal and community level, it was the late Governor that put, for the very first time, asphalt on the only road that links my communities from Iyamoye through Igbagun to Isanlu in Yagba South East District which made access and movements easier for the people.
“I have been one of the direct beneficiaries of this transformative project. The road is now overdue for rehabilitation.
“This is one death too many. It is particularly sad that his death occurred at a time when his guidance and wealth of experience were highly required in this special general election season. Nigeria will miss him.
“No one can question the Almighty God, the owner of life. I wish the former governor, Al janah fridaus, and the family the strength to bear this irreparable loss.”
The minister prayed for strength for the family to bear what he described as an irreparable loss.
By Gloria Ikibah
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has congratulated First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu on her 66th birthday, describing her as the “Mother of the Nation”.
Kalu commended the First Lady for her service to the country, particularly her interventions aimed at empowering women, supporting families and vulnerable citizens, and investing in young Nigerians.
In a congratulatory message issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the Deputy Speaker said Senator Tinubu’s leadership had reflected compassion and brought what he described as a profoundly human face to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also praised her commitment to raising funds for the renovation and completion of the National Library of Nigeria, describing the initiative as symbolic of her vision for the future.
Kalu said: “Your Excellency, your life of service continues to demonstrate that leadership finds its highest expression in compassion. Through your interventions across the states of our federation, particularly your commitment to the empowerment of women, support for families and vulnerable citizens, and investment in the hopes and aspirations of young Nigerians, you have brought a profoundly human face to the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“Your remarkable commitment to raising funds for the renovation and completion of the National Library of Nigeria is especially symbolic of your vision for the future. A nation that invests in its libraries invests in the minds of its children”.
The Deputy Speaker further described Senator Tinubu as a source of inspiration to emerging leaders, praising her humility, quiet strength and graciousness in office.
“At 66, we celebrate not only the gift of your life, but the countless lives that have been enriched by your generosity of spirit and commitment to service,” Kalu said.
He prayed for continued strength, sound health and wisdom for the First Lady.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has congratulated the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on her 66th birthday, describing her as a “great mobiliser and unifier”.
In a congratulatory message issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, on Saturday, Abbas described the First Lady as a dependable spouse, partner and ally to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Speaker commended her “indefatigable spirit” and high level of patriotism, saying she remained an inspiration to Nigerian women.
He also acknowledged her experience in public administration and women mobilisation, describing her as an experienced political, religious and woman leader.
Abbas praised her resilience in supporting not only the President but also the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), noting her influence at the grassroots and her efforts to complement the actualisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Speaker wished the First Lady many more years in sound body and mind, while praying for the success of her husband in the forthcoming presidential election.
Enikanolaiye Mourns ex-Kogi Governor Ibrahim Idris
Kalu hails Oluremi Tinubu at 66, Praises Support for Women, Vulnerable Nigerians
Abbas Hails Oluremi Tinubu @66, Praises Her as ‘Great Mobilise, Unifier’
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