Aisha Yesufu Reveals: Peter Obi Spends ₦744 Million on Legal Battles Post-Election Loss
During a press briefing in Abuja, Aisha Yesufu, Chairman of the fundraising team for the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation, unveiled startling details about the post-election financial expenditures of Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Yesufu disclosed that Obi expended a significant sum of ₦744,500,000 on legal proceedings following his defeat in the 2023 presidential election.
Yesufu elaborated on the strategic approach adopted by the campaign, which included providing support to over 100 groups nationwide, conducting media campaigns reaching over 11 million people through radio broadcasts, community engagements, and leveraging social media platforms.
Despite financial constraints, Yesufu clarified that polling unit agents were duly compensated, with ₦324 million allocated for their mobilization. However, the campaign faced limitations in utilizing television advertisements due to financial constraints.
The allocated funds were directed towards various campaign expenses, including procurement of campaign materials (₦258,374,330), media expenses such as radio broadcasts (₦16,432,867), and election promotion (₦10,808,948). Notably, a substantial amount of ₦744,500,000 was specifically designated to cover legal expenses incurred during the legal challenge to the election results.
Obi, who secured third place in the February 25, 2023 presidential election won by Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress, contested the election results as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The disclosure by Yesufu sheds light on the financial intricacies and challenges faced by political candidates in navigating post-election legal battles, underscoring the complexities inherent in Nigeria’s electoral process.
