For the first time in Nigeria’s political history since the Second Republic, a candidate that ran for a high office as the presidency has made a public disclosure of the campaign expenses and incomes.
This is none other than the Labour Party 2023 presidential election candidate, Peter Obi through the Obi/Baba-Ahmed Presidential Campaign Organisation.
The group,on behalf of Obi disclosed that it spent over N744,500,000.00 in litigation in courts over the poll.
This display of uncommon transparency seems to set him apart as someone that walks his talk as his campaign mantra was centered on clean record, destruction of corruption and openness.
The organisation also said that it received donations totalling N595,976,994.00 from well meaning Nigerians.
The Chairman of the Fundraising Team of the Campaign Organisation, Aisha Yesufu disclosed this during a fundraising report presentation on Thursday.
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 N800,000,000 from the candidate himself (Peter Obi).
We designed a strategic blueprint focused on channelling the movement energy and support for Peter Obi and Datti Ahmed with different support groups. We provided direct and indirect support to over a hundred support groups across all 36 states in Nigeria.
“We also deployed media-related campaigns that reached over 11 million people, leveraging over 40 radio stations, community outreach, and social media.
“We would have loved to use Televisions and all of that, but because of our financial constraints, we were mindful of being judicious in our usage of the funds that we received.
”So, out of these things, campaign materials worth N258,374,330 were procured and distributed across the 36 States and also in Abuja. Media and radio broadcasting was at the cost of N16,432,867.
”For the election promotion expenses, we had N10,808,948.
”For Polling Unit Agents, we spent N324,381,700. And then, of course, we had bank charges of N1,750,544. We also had administrative charges of N477,000.
”We deployed N744,500,000 to cover legal expenses. And then, in campaign and election activities, we had over N28,500,000.
“On the issue of legal fees, remember what I said earlier: We had N800,000,000 that the candidate himself brought,” she disclosed.
