From Yakubu Busari, Jos
Members of the support groups for the Obi Datti candidacy in Plateau State are asking the Labour Party, LP, officials to account for the funds released to them for the party’s presidential visit to Jos on Friday.
A leader of one of the support over 200 groups and a member of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) who spoke to our Correspondent anonymously, said that the arrangement and disbursement of fund is shrouded in secrecy, despite the huge amount released for mobilisation.
The party’s chieftain also demanded that the Local Organising Commission should be transparent enough to tell members of the party what they did with the millions giving to them for publicity and mobilisation.
He said funding for mobilisation and publicity for the rally was the major reason for the low turn out at the rally, saying the officials of the party in the state are to be blame for failure witnessed at the rally.
He said, “There have been complaints that a lot of money was released to the party officials in the state but the money was not release to the various support groups to enable them mobilise there supporters for the event. Most members of the various support groups vowed to boycott the event.”
When our Correspondent visited the campaign office of the state government flag bearer, Patrick Dakum on Thursday evening, he “met hundreds of youths and women who were protesting and threatening to quit the party owing to poor treatment by party officials.”
Speaking exclusively one of the aggrieved lady, who simply gave her name as Anna, said, “we are tired of waisting our money and time for a party that is not appreciating our efforts, they are taking us for granted because of our love for Peter Obi, there is a limit to everything.”
She said to worsen matters no one is giving them (support groups), explanation as regards the preparation, rather they are being harassed and insulted by the chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Sen. Victor Lar.
“We were at the resident of Sen. Victor Lar, to know what is happening instead of getting explanation, he threatened us by saying if we don’t live his house he will call security men to chase us.”
She said if the party officials think the party will win election by treating core supporters this way, they are lying Campaigns involve a lot of money because we need to move around to talk to talk to people.
