Paul Chibuke Ananabo, Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has reacted to the controversy surrounding political parties receiving funds from the diaspora.
Ananabo said that based on the provisions of the law, there is nothing to prevent political party candidates, in this case Peter Obi, from receiving donations from the diaspora.
He made the clarification on Arise TV on Monday based on a provision in a section of the law that prohibits political parties from receiving donations from the diaspora.
Ever since the Labor Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, made their way abroad, the party has been gathering support in its diaspora, which has shown a willingness to sacrifice its course to bid for power in 2023. .
“Perhaps because Peter Obi is in the Labor Party, that’s why it’s getting a lot of attention,” he said, reacting to information that the topic of donations from abroad had become relevant because of Peter Obi’s perceived threat to the status quo.
“Our laws say nothing about a candidate,” he continued, a reassuring remark that seemed to help Obi’s candidacy.
“If you look at Section 152 of the Electoral Act, it does not specify that a political party must include its candidate in the election.
“Now, if you also look at the definition of candidate, a candidate does not include a political party and therefore in election petitions… the political party and the candidate are sued separately,” he explained.
He went on to say that the candidate was not involved in this analysis that he did. He added that the provision in the constitution to receive donations from the diaspora population does not prevent Obi from having funds, only a political party.
“And when a political party collects funds, it must within twenty one days report to INEC and remit the funds to INEC,” he said.
“It can’t hold funds for more than twenty-one days,” he said, adding: “I don’t think the Labor Party has looked at it. If they have looked at it, they should practically put themselves on notice.”
