LAGOS, NIGERIA — Aisha Yesufu, a prominent activist and supporter of Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians to contribute money towards funding the former Anambra State governor’s 2027 presidential campaign.
Yesufu said Obi should not be left to bear the financial burden of the election alone. She insisted that citizens who want political change must also be willing to contribute to the process.
A Citizen-Funded Campaign
She made the appeal in a video shared on her X account on Wednesday. She urged supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate to embrace a citizen-funded campaign.
According to her, the idea behind the fundraising initiative is to give ordinary Nigerians an opportunity to take ownership of the political process.
She maintained that it would be unfair for supporters to demand national transformation while expecting Obi to provide all the resources required to prosecute the campaign.
“My fellow citizens, Peter Obi cannot do this alone. There is no way we can say that we want to rescue a nation, we want to get back our nation, we want the people to own this nation, and then we say that we are going to leave everything to Mr Peter Obi to fund,” she said.
She therefore encouraged Nigerians to make financial contributions, regardless of how small they might be. She stressed that collective donations could help provide the resources needed for campaign activities.
“So please, every one of us, we need you to put in something. Let the citizens fund this election. Let us be the ones that say our one naira; we go here, and it will be used for this or that,” she said.
The 2023 Precedent
The activist explained that the fundraising approach was not entirely new. She recalled how supporters organised a similar exercise during the 2023 presidential election.
She disclosed that Obi was initially uncomfortable with the idea of public fundraising at the time. However, she said she persuaded him that allowing Nigerians to contribute would encourage greater participation and strengthen their emotional connection to the campaign.
According to Yesufu, financial contributions from supporters would make them feel more involved in the political movement. This is because they would have personally invested in its activities.
“Mr Peter Obi never wanted us to use public fundraising. But I remember saying to him, people need to be involved. And when people give, they are emotionally invested,” she said.
She further explained that the 2023 fundraising exercise attracted donations from different supporters. She said the money received was properly documented and accounted for.
Yesufu said the initiative faced criticism at the time. But she maintained that the management of the contributions was transparent.
She insisted that the financial arrangement adopted during the previous election should be sustained and improved upon ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.
The activist argued that expecting Obi to personally finance campaign activities would not be a sustainable arrangement.
“It can no longer work. Every one of us has to put in our own widow’s mite,” she said.
Clarification on Accounts
Yesufu also clarified that the fundraising account being promoted was specifically intended for activities connected to Obi’s presidential campaign. She said it should not be confused with the official fundraising arrangements of the NDC.
She explained that the political party would separately announce its banking details for members and other supporters interested in contributing directly to its operations.
The clarification is particularly important because the campaign fundraising initiative and the party’s financial activities are separate arrangements.
According to her, Nigerians who wish to support Obi’s personal campaign activities should make use of the designated account. Those interested in supporting the NDC should wait for the party to publish its official account details.
“This is what we, as citizens, are going to use to fund the things that we can do for Mr Peter Obi. The party are going to put out their own accounts,” she said.
She added that supporters should not send money intended for the political party into the campaign fundraising account.
“Those who want to donate to the party, please wait for their account. This particular account that is here is for Peter Obi’s campaign donated by citizens.”
Commitment to Transparency
Yesufu also addressed concerns surrounding the handling of public donations. She assured Nigerians that transparency would remain a major part of the exercise.
She said contributors would be able to hold those managing the funds accountable, regardless of the amount involved.
The activist maintained that she had fulfilled the responsibility of accounting for donations received during the 2023 election. She promised to maintain the same standard ahead of the next presidential poll.
“In 2023, I was accountable, and I accounted for every dime. And in 2027, by the grace of God, I will also be accountable. And I will account for every dime,” she said.
What This Means
The fundraising initiative is a significant development in Obi’s campaign for the 2027 election.
It reflects a shift towards citizen-funded campaigns, where supporters contribute financially to the political process.
The emphasis on transparency is also crucial. It aims to build trust among supporters and ensure that donations are properly managed.
What Happens Next
Obi will continue his campaign activities. The NDC will also announce its official fundraising account in due course.
For now, the focus is on mobilising support for the 2027 elections. The coming months will reveal how the fundraising initiative unfolds.
