Aisha Yesufu calls on Nigerians to financially back Peter Obi’s 2027 presidential bid

Activist Aisha Yesufu, a prominent supporter of Peter Obi, used a video posted on X on 5 November 2026 to ask Nigerians to donate to a dedicated account for Obi’s 2027 presidential campaign. She argued that the former Anambra State governor could not finance the nationwide campaign alone and that ordinary citizens should share the financial burden. Yesufu said the appeal was a collective responsibility, urging each person to contribute even a small amount, which she described as a “widow’s mite.”

Yesufu clarified that the fundraising effort is distinct from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) party’s own accounts. She said the party would later publish its own account details for supporters who wish to donate directly to the party, while the current account is intended solely for contributions to Obi’s personal campaign. She also pledged to account for every contribution, citing her handling of a similar exercise during the 2023 election.

Background

Peter Obi, the NDC’s presidential candidate, previously relied heavily on personal and private funding for his 2023 campaign. According to Yesufu, Obi was initially reluctant to adopt public fundraising at that time, but she persuaded him that citizen contributions would increase public involvement and emotional investment in the campaign. The activist highlighted that the 2023 fundraising was transparent, with accounts made public and every contribution accounted for, despite facing criticism. For the 2027 race, Yesufu maintains that the earlier model is no longer viable and that a broader base of financial support is required.

Why it matters

The appeal targets ordinary Nigerians, positioning the election as a national project that should be funded by the populace rather than a single individual. If successful, the citizen‑funded model could shift campaign financing dynamics in Nigeria, encouraging greater public participation and potentially reducing reliance on large private donors. Yesufu’s emphasis on accountability aims to build trust among donors, addressing concerns raised during the 2023 fundraising effort. The NDC’s separate fundraising channel also suggests a dual‑track approach to financing, which may affect how resources are allocated between the party’s organisational needs and Obi’s personal campaign activities.

What happens next

Yesufu indicated that the NDC will soon release its own account details for supporters wishing to contribute directly to the party. Meanwhile, the citizen‑donation account for Obi’s campaign is already active, and the activist urged Nigerians to begin contributing immediately. She reaffirmed her commitment to transparency, promising to account for every naira received, as she did in the previous election cycle.