“Abure Is a Liar and Very Shameless” – Aisha Yesufu Slams Labour Party Chairman Over Alleged Mismanagement of Campaign Funds

Prominent social activist Aisha Yesufu has openly criticized Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), accusing him of dishonesty over claims related to the mismanagement of party funds during the 2023 presidential elections.

The dispute began after Abure, during a press conference in Abuja on Monday, refuted allegations of misusing campaign donations, stating that neither he nor the party had control over the funds used for the 2023 presidential campaign of Peter Obi. Abure claimed that the responsibility for managing campaign finances, including payments to polling agents, rested with Yesufu and Pastor Itua Ighodalo, both of whom were signatories to the campaign’s accounts.

Abure further explained, “The party and I have been unfairly blamed for Peter Obi’s loss in the 2023 general elections, with accusations of mismanagement of funds meant for campaign donations and polling unit agents.” He emphasized that Peter Obi personally oversaw the election funding and dismissed any claims of financial misconduct by the party.

In a sharp response, Yesufu, who led the campaign fundraising team, took to social media, labeling Abure “shameless” for his remarks. In a video posted on her official YouTube channel, she criticized his statement that polling unit agents were not paid, accusing him of ignoring the millions raised from party ticket sales.

“Abure’s claim that polling agents were not paid is a blatant lie,” Yesufu stated. “What happened to all the millions people contributed? He is acting like it’s still the days when there was no internet, and they could say anything without accountability.”

Yesufu also raised concerns about Abure’s handling of donations, specifically asking for an account of funds raised through the ‘Labour Party N1,000 Challenge,’ a party fundraiser launched in 2022.

Adding to the controversy, Yesufu expressed frustration over Abure’s decision to open a separate Labour Party account, which she claimed diverted funds away from the campaign.

The financial debate comes after Yesufu disclosed that the Obi-Datti fundraising team collected N596 million in donations from supporters, while Peter Obi reportedly spent N744.5 million on legal battles following his loss in the 2023 presidential election. This public spat has fueled tensions within the Labour Party as it continues to grapple with internal challenges following its election defeat.