Ekiti PDP Leaders Clash Over Campaign Funds

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Ado-Ekiti have clashed with the campaign team of governorship candidate Wole Oluyede over campaign funds.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Ado Local Government PDP chairman Femi Odeyemi and secretary Makanjuola Temitope defended Oluyede’s running mate, Deji Ogunsakin.

The dispute centres on demands for an account of money spent during the June 20 governorship election.

They described allegations of fund diversion against Ogunsakin as vague and malicious.

The party leaders also challenged Oluyede to publicly declare his total campaign expenditure.

The dispute followed claims by a group known as Ado-Ekiti PDP Stakeholders.

The group had demanded an account of funds released for party agents, canvassers, logistics and ward mobilisation.

The Ado-Ekiti PDP executive said Oluyede contributed N6 million for the local government rally.

It added that Ogunsakin provided N3 million, while Monica Fajuyi donated N500,000.

Mrs Lanre Fajuyi also contributed 15 bags of rice, according to the statement.

The party leaders said Ogunsakin personally funded campaign operations across Ado-Ekiti to mobilise voters.

“If Dr Oluyede disputes these figures or has a different account of the funds released, we challenge him to state his own figures publicly and explain precisely what he believes was not accounted for,” the statement read.

The PDP leaders also said Ogunsakin supported Oluyede’s candidature in good faith despite initial reservations from some party leaders.

They urged party members to stop the public exchange of accusations.

The statement followed a leadership meeting in Ado-Ekiti.

Those present included PDP Zonal Ex-officio Mrs Lanre Fajuyi, Senatorial Chairman Kayode Yusuf and State Ex-officio Alhaji Raheem Adeparusi.

Mrs Ajoke Awojugbe, ward chairmen and other executive members also attended the meeting.

Responding for the stakeholders, Sunshine Anifowose asked the local government leadership to leave Oluyede out of the dispute.

Anifowose said the demand for accountability came from concerned party members, not the governorship candidate.

She also said she was ready to present records of money Oluyede allegedly gave Ogunsakin during the campaign.

“I am ready to present the transactions showing the money that came from Dr Oluyede to Ogunsakin throughout the campaign,” Anifowose said.

She challenged Ogunsakin to provide evidence if he claimed to have funded the campaign with his personal money.

“If Ogunsakin claims that he spent his personal money on the election, let him come out with the evidence.”

“Let him produce the transaction records, transfer receipts, payment receipts, and evidence of any cash he personally collected or spent in connection with the campaign,” she said.

Anifowose added that Ogunsakin should state how much he spent and where the money went if he funded the Ado-Ekiti campaign alone.

The dispute has exposed new tensions within the Ekiti PDP following the June 20 governorship election.