The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been advised to disqualify the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, and his running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, from the 2023 presidential election for engaging in activities that contravene the Electoral Act 2022.
In a statement signed by Tinubu- Shettima support Group convener, Adebanjo Moyosore, the group noted that it was illegal to raise campaign funds from diaspora through unknown sources, adding that are dire consequences and implications for such an act.
This comes as a result of the inauguration of an 11-man Diaspora Committee to organize fund-raising activities, by the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Bar. Julius Abure, at the national headquarters of the party in Abuja.
The Inauguration also came a day after the party’s diaspora support groups pledged to crowdfund $150m, N100bn for Obi’s campaign.
Moyosore however said the inauguration of a diaspora committee by the leadership of the Labour Party to gather campaign funds from Nigerians in the diaspora for Obi’s presidential campaign was not only illegal but also criminal.
He also explained that the country has moved from its old practice with INEC trying to put perfection to the electoral process, but a few individuals who think they can get away with deliberate act to undermine the electoral law of the land, have already started making sinister moves even when the campaigns are yet to begin in earnest.
He further cited the Section 85 of the Electoral Act.
Section 85 (a) (b) provides that any political party that:
“(a) holds or possesses any fund outside Nigeria in contravention of section 225 (3) (a) of the Constitution, commits an offense, and shall on conviction forfeit the funds or assets purchased with such funds to the Commission and in addition may be liable to a fine of at least N5,000,000; or
“(b) retains any fund or other asset remitted to it from outside Nigeria in contravention of section 225 (3) (a) of the Constitution commits an offense and shall on conviction forfeit the funds or assets to the Commission and in addition may be liable to a fine of at least N5,000,000.”
Also, citing a provision of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Adebanjo said the law forbids possession of funds by the candidate or political party from overseas.
He said: “Section 225 (2) (3) (4) (a) (b) & (5) of the Constitution provides that:
“225(2) Every political party shall submit to the Independent National Electoral Commission a detailed annual statement and analysis of its sources of funds and other assets together with a similar statement of its expenditure in such form as the Commission may require.
“225(3) No political party shall –
“(a) hold or possess any funds or other assets outside Nigeria; or
“(b) be entitled to retain any funds or assets remitted or sent to it from outside Nigeria.
” 225(4) Any funds or other assets remitted or sent to a political party from outside Nigeria shall be paid over or transferred to the Commission within twenty-one days of its receipt with such information as the Commission may require.”
Moyosore stated that the development is worrisome, especially at a time when the country’s anti-graft agencies were battling money laundering from criminal syndicates and traffickers.
He therefore, called on INEC to act and save democracy from the hands of some desperate Nigerians.
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