Lere Olayinka, spokesperson to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, does not spend money on political activities.
Olayinka made the statement during an appearance on AIT’s Democracy Today, where he argued that financial spending is an established part of political campaigns.
He recalled his experience as a delegate in Ekiti State during the 2023 election cycle, claiming that Obi, who was then a member of the Peoples Democratic Party before joining the Labour Party, gave money to delegates during his visit to the state.
According to Olayinka, politicians generally spend money while seeking elective positions because winning elections is necessary to gain political power and pursue their programmes.
He also compared political campaigns to business competition, arguing that people who fail to invest in their political ambitions risk losing out to their competitors.
Olayinka, who said he contested a House of Representatives seat in 2023, maintained that candidates routinely provide financial support during party primaries and campaigns.
He therefore described as untrue the claim that Obi does not give money to people during political engagements, insisting that his own experience as an Ekiti delegate contradicted the assertion.
