Activist Aisha Yesufu has called on Nigerians to fund Peter Obi’s 2027 presidential campaign, saying the candidate cannot carry the financial burden alone.
Yesufu made the appeal in a video posted on X on Wednesday.
She urged supporters to contribute, however small, describing the effort as a collective responsibility to take ownership of the country’s political future.
“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.”
The activist recalled that Obi was initially reluctant to embrace public fundraising during the 2023 presidential election.
However, she said she persuaded him that allowing citizens to contribute would make them more involved in the campaign.
“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.
A Separate Account From the Party
Yesufu clarified that the proposed fundraising is separate from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) official campaign funds.
She explained that the party would announce its own account details for supporters who wished to donate directly to it.
“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.”
Pledge of Accountability
Yesufu pledged to account for every contribution received, citing her handling of the fundraising exercise during the 2023 election.
“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.
She maintained that the previous arrangement, in which Obi largely financed campaign activities, was no longer sustainable.
“It can no longer work. Every one of us has to put in our own widow’s mite,” she said.
