The Labour Party has called for a thorough Forensic Investigation into the Utilization of ₦300 billion of Nigerian Taxpayers’ Funds by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the Conduct of the 2023 General Elections.
The demand was made by Akin Osuntokun, the Director General of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, during a Media Briefing held in Abuja on Thursday, July 13, 2023.
Osuntokun expressed the Party’s concern over the lack of Transparency and Accountability in INEC’s Expenditure of Budgeted Disbursements and Funds received from Donors.
He described the 2023 general Elections as “the worst Election conducted in recent Memory” and emphasized that Nigerians deserved to know the details of how the Funds were utilized.
The Labour Party Campaign DG further demanded the Immediate Dismissal and Prosecution of Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, the INEC Chairman, and called for a Forensic Financial Investigation into the Expenditure of Budgeted Disbursements and Funds received by INEC, Including the ₦300 billion Appropriated from the National Purse and other Funds and Materials from International Donor Agencies.
Osuntokun also Criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu’s Spokespersons for condemning the European Union Observer Mission’s report on the 2023 General Elections.
He accused the Ruling Party of engaging in Selective Celebration, Noting that they had Praised the same Observer group for its report on the 2019 Election.
The Labour Party and the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation strongly condemned the Negative and bmBiased responses to the EU report and other Election Observers’ reports by the APC Administration and other Ill-Informed Individuals.
Osuntokun highlighted the Inconsistency in their reactions, which he believed was Contrary to the Nation’s Sentiment, and presented an Embarrassing Contrast to the Celebration of the 2019 Election reports from the same Observer groups.
In addition, Osuntokun Urged those who had Organized Protests at the EU Offices to cease wasting Public Funds on baseless Intimidation Tactics, as their Objectives had proven Futile from the beginning.
The Labour Party expressed Appreciation to the International Community and Civil Society for their continuous Support in Strengthening and Consolidating Nigeria’s Democracy.
The Party called on the International Community to take Immediate and appropriate punitive action against Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, Barrister Festus Okoye, and other top Administrative and Field Staff of INEC who were Directly Involved in the Alleged desecration of the Electoral Process.
