Activist and ally of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Aisha Yesufu, has urged Nigerians to contribute financially towards funding his 2027 presidential campaign.

Yesufu made the appeal in a video posted on X on Wednesday, arguing that Obi should not be expected to shoulder the financial burden of the campaign alone.

She called on supporters to embrace citizen-funded politics, insisting that Nigerians must take responsibility for financing the political movement they hope to support.

“My fellow citizens, Peter Obi cannot do this 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.”

Reflecting on the 2023 presidential election, Yesufu said Obi had initially been reluctant to embark on public fundraising but was eventually persuaded that financial contributions would encourage greater citizen participation.

“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.

She said the previous fundraising exercise attracted contributions from supporters, adding that the accounts were made public and the funds properly accounted for despite criticism.

Yesufu argued that the previous arrangement, under which Obi largely financed campaign activities, was no longer sustainable, urging supporters to share the financial responsibility.

“It can no longer work. Every one of us has to put in our own widow’s mite,” she said.

The activist clarified that the fundraising initiative was separate from that of the NDC, explaining that the party would announce its own account details for members and supporters willing to contribute directly to its activities.

“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.”

She also pledged transparency in the management of the contributions, assuring donors that every amount received would be accounted for.

“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,” Yesufu said.