Nigeria’s Labour Party Challenged to Account for 2023 Election Campaign Funds

In an unprecedented move, Faduri Joseph, a prominent member of Nigeria’s Labour Party and former presidential aspirant, has publicly called upon the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to provide a thorough accounting of the campaign funds received during the election.

Transparency in election campaign funding

Joseph, in a letter communicated through his media director, Rev. Emmanuel Olorunmagba, emphasized that such transparency is indicative of good leadership. The Labour Party, under Obi’s leadership, ran a campaign that relied heavily on financial contributions from both local and diaspora Nigerians, which were solicited through an official campaign website. It is reported that Nigerians abroad aimed to raise $150 million, while those within the country targeted N100 billion to support Obi’s campaign.

Accountability as a sign of good leadership

Joseph urged Obi and the Labour Party to disclose the total amounts received, how the funds were utilized, and any remaining balance. This, he suggested, would not only demonstrate accountability but would also provide valuable insights that could help plan for future elections. He expressed that the Labour Party and Obi should disclose the total amounts received, how the funds were utilized, and any remaining balance to help plan for future elections.

Learning from past mistakes

Joseph further stressed the importance of analyzing the party’s shortcomings in the 2023 election to avoid repeating mistakes in subsequent elections. He emphasized that this process should begin now, rather than waiting until the next election is a few months away. This demand for transparency and accountability signals a new level of scrutiny in Nigerian politics, which could set a precedent for future campaigns.