The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, has praised former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi for what he described as an unprecedented commitment to transparency and accountability in campaign financing.
Tanko made the remarks during an appearance on Arise Television on Tuesday, where he claimed that Obi remains the only major presidential candidate in recent Nigerian elections to publicly account for campaign expenditures.
According to him, the former Anambra State governor demonstrated a level of financial openness that distinguished his campaign from those of other leading political parties.
“I was there when Aisha Yesufu and Peter Obi engaged the services of an independent auditor to review their campaign finances. They provided an account of every amount spent during the campaign,” Tanko said.
He explained that the audit exercise was undertaken to ensure transparency in the management of campaign funds and to reinforce the values that Obi consistently promoted throughout the electioneering period.
Tanko noted that the move reflected the accountability standards that the former presidential candidate had advocated before and during the 2023 election campaign.
“I would like to see the same level of transparency from other major parties, including the APC and PDP,” he added.
The Obidient Movement coordinator argued that political parties and candidates should be more forthcoming about campaign finances, particularly in a democratic system where accountability remains a critical component of public trust.
According to him, Obi’s willingness to subject his campaign finances to independent scrutiny set him apart from other candidates who contested the election.
“Peter Obi stood out because he was committed to the accountability and transparency he consistently advocated throughout the campaign,” Tanko stated.
The remarks come amid ongoing discussions about political financing, transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Campaign funding has remained a major subject of debate among political stakeholders, civil society organisations and election observers, with repeated calls for greater disclosure of campaign donations, expenditures and financial records by political parties and candidates.
Supporters of increased transparency argue that public accountability in campaign financing can strengthen democratic institutions, reduce corruption risks and enhance citizens’ confidence in the electoral system.
Tanko’s comments are expected to further fuel conversations about the need for political actors to embrace higher standards of financial disclosure ahead of future elections.