THE campaign team of the former presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Obiageli Ezekwesili, says it received a total of N48,957,416 (Forty-eight million, nine hundred and fifty-seven thousand, four hundred and sixteen naira) in donations from well-meaning Nigerians with which it carried out the campaign activities.
Iyin Aboyeji, the Deputy Director General of “Oby 2019” campaign, gave the breakdown during a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the first since Ezekwesili announced her withdrawal from the presidential race.
The explanation became necessary following the allegation by the National Chairman of the ACPN, Abdul-Ganiyu Galadima, that Ezekwesili had embezzled the millions donated to her campaign, and by extension the party.
Aboyeji, describing the allegations as funny, said that the Ezekwesili, being a renowned figure respected for her disposition to anti-corruption and transparency, made sure that her campaign team adhered strictly to all acceptable standard of accountability.
He explained that the finance department of the team operated independently without any interference whatever from Ezekwesili.
Out of the total N48.9 million received as donations, N27.8 million came from Ezekwesili’s family members and relatives. N15.6 million were donated by several other Nigerians, some donating as high as N500,000, and others as low as N500.
$6,145 was realised via Gofundme, another N11,265 came from Paystack, and N443,050 came from Flutter Wave.
Gofundme, Paystack, and Flutter Wave are online crowdfunding platforms.
Aboyeji said the team spent a total of N45, 742,423.56, excluding bank charges, during the three-month campaign period. According to him, the funds were spent on travel expenses, printing of campaign materials, media and publicity, personnel costs, meetings and logistics, etc.
More than 100 public engagement events were carried out by Ezekwesili’s campaign team, including television and radio interviews, walks, market storms, community engagements and speaking events, Aboyeji said.
He promised that the total breakdown of who donated what to the campaign, as well as the minutest details of how the funds were spent will be uploaded to the campaign’s website, www.oby2019.com, which he said would not be taken down even as Ezekwesili has withdrawn from the race.