Aisha Yesufu, an activist and ally of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has appealed to Nigerians to contribute to funding his 2027 campaign.
In a video posted on X on Wednesday, Yesufu said the former governor of Anambra could not fund the campaign 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.
“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.”
Recalling the 2023 election, Yesufu said Obi had initially been reluctant to raise funds publicly.
“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.
Yesufu said the arrangement under which Obi largely funded campaign activities was no longer sustainable, calling on supporters to contribute.
“It can no longer work. Every one of us has to put in our own widow’s mite,” she said.
She, however, clarified that the fundraising was separate from the party’s, adding that the NDC would announce its own 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.
“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.”
The activist pledged to be transparent about how the funds would be used.
“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.
