Activist Aisha Yesufu has called on Nigerians to contribute financially to the 2027 presidential campaign of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), saying the former Anambra State governor cannot shoulder the financial burden alone.
Yesufu made the appeal in a video posted on X on Wednesday, urging supporters to embrace citizen-funded political campaigns and contribute whatever they can towards Obi’s ambition.
She argued that Nigerians who want to reclaim ownership of the country must also take responsibility for funding the political process.
“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.
“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.”
Yesufu recalls 2023 fundraising controversy
Reflecting on the 2023 presidential election, Yesufu disclosed that Obi was initially reluctant to embrace public fundraising for his campaign.
She, however, said she had encouraged him to allow supporters to contribute, arguing that financial contributions would make citizens more emotionally invested in the political process.
“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.
“And we did that fundraising. And at the end, there were a lot of people who said so many things. We put out the account. Everything we could was accounted for.”
The activist maintained that the previous arrangement, under which Obi largely financed campaign activities, was no longer sustainable.
According to her, supporters must now contribute towards the campaign rather than leave the financial responsibility entirely to the presidential candidate.
“It can no longer work. Every one of us has to put in our own widow’s mite,” she said.
NDC to announce separate fundraising account
Yesufu also clarified that the fundraising initiative being promoted by citizens was separate from the official fundraising arrangements of the NDC.
She urged Nigerians interested in donating directly to the political party to wait for its official account details, which she said would be announced separately.
“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.
“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.”
Yesufu promises transparency
Addressing concerns about the management of campaign donations, the activist pledged to maintain transparency and account for every contribution received.
She recalled her involvement in the 2023 fundraising exercise, insisting that the money collected was properly accounted for.
“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.
Yesufu’s appeal comes as political activities and preparations gradually gather momentum ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
