APC Presidency - Fashola Unveils Platform for Campaign Funding

For the first time in the history of the country, the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday democratised campaign funding with the unveiling of platforms for public participation in the fund-raising for its presidential campaign.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, the chairman of Buhari, Osinbajo Fund Raising Committee, Governor Babatunde Fashola disclosed that there will be five payment platforms to receive the donations, adding that no amount would be too small to donate. He, however, said the party will reject funds from money bags and anonymous donors.

He added that the main objective of creating the platforms for public participation in the fund-raising is to allow the ordinary Nigerians to have a say in the governance of the country.

Fashola said, "One of the things said by General Muhammadu Buhari when his campaign started was that he desired to have a campaign that would involve ordinary people. He is committed to transparent and accountable fund-raising and management. This has been the key to designing this strategy.

"This campaign fund-raising will be different from the ones that we are already accustomed to. This is part of the change that our party wishes to bring onboard. So, this fund-raising has been designed to give everyone the opportunity to participate in effecting that change."

The governor affirmed that the party has seen the enthusiasm of young people to participate in the election, regretting that many of them have either been denied the opportunity to register or where they have registered, they are yet to receive their permanent voter cards (PVCs).

He said, "We also note the concern of Nigerians living abroad, many of whom were forced to move abroad because of electricity, security and bad governance. We note their enthusiasm to participate even though their government is not effective enough to allow them vote abroad using available technology.

"Today, we unveil many platforms where those who can or cannot vote still participate in the February election by contributing to the Buhari/Osinbajo campaign. This campaign will need money as all other elections. We are very clear on what we will be spending this money on."

He explained that the funds will be spent on the payment of agent fees so that people's votes will count, adding that part of the funds will also be spent on getting the party's campaign message of change to the people through different media platforms.

Fashola added, "We will be spending some of the money on transport cost for those who are engaged in the campaign.

"Part of the fund would be spent on printing of campaign materials. But we will not use the money to build a secretariat. All the money will go towards achieving the change that you all desire and to rescue the country from bad governance. In essence, we are democratising campaign funding by the strategic partnership that we have formed."

"We intend to show that Nigeria is a civilised country and that change is upon us."

The names of the donors will not be published but they will be known to us by their names and telephone numbers so that I can thank them by text or letters. There is regulatory provision in the Electoral Act about how to manage campaign funds. And we have to comply with those regulations," he said.