In a social media exchange, former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad has taken socio-political activist Aisha Yesufu to task over the delayed release of the financial statement for Peter Obi’s presidential campaign during the last general elections.
Expressing his surprise, Ahmad questioned why Yesufu, who was one of the signatories to the Obi/Baba-Ahmed Campaign Organisation, has yet to fulfill her commitment to making the campaign’s financial details public.
The Labour Party (LP) had initiated a public fundraising effort in October 2023, urging Nigerians at home and abroad to contribute to Obi’s campaign.
Obi himself, the LP’s presidential candidate, appealed for assistance in December 2022, sharing the campaign’s bank account details on Twitter.
Despite these efforts to secure funding, Nigerians remain in the dark as they await the long-overdue financial statement, ten months post-election.
Aisha Yesufu had previously pledged to disclose the financial statement for the campaign after the conclusion of Obi’s petition at the Supreme Court, adding an element of anticipation to the process.
However, as time passed without any updates, Bashir Ahmad took to Twitter on Thursday afternoon to express his disappointment.
“It’s quite unexpected that Aisha Yesufu, who often portrays herself as the epitome of integrity, is now facing calls from left, right, and center to fulfill her own promises,” Ahmad remarked in his tweet.
He highlighted the disparity between Yesufu’s public image and the growing pressure on her to honor her commitment.
Despite Yesufu’s initial assurance to reveal the financial details promptly after the Supreme Court judgment, months have elapsed, leaving observers questioning the delay.
Ahmad emphasized that the prolonged wait diminishes the statement’s initial significance and timeliness, urging Yesufu to uphold her promise without further delay.
“The delay in releasing the statement, even if she does it tomorrow, makes it lose its initial honor and timeliness. Keep your promise,” Ahmad urged, emphasizing the importance of accountability and transparency in political processes.
As this digital exchange unfolds, it raises broader questions about the accountability of political figures and activists, emphasizing the need for timely disclosure of campaign finances to maintain public trust and uphold the principles of transparency in democratic practices.
The spotlight on Aisha Yesufu and the delayed release of Peter Obi’s campaign fund statement serves as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with political involvement and the public’s right to know about the financial intricacies of political campaigns.
