₦airaland Forum

Hmmm! The Labour party can actually raise funds in accordance with the express provisions of Section 225 (3); insofar as it does not intend to retain or possess the funds.

It is, therefore, better for the Labour Party to request or instruct that the funds be donated to third parties. Examples: charitable organizations).

It can simply do this in conjunction with charitable organizations working under a mandate of rebuilding Nigeria whilst abroad and won't even touch or bring a dime into Nigeria.

The truth remains that Section 225 (3) does not expressly forbid a political party from raising funds. The Koko is that it cannot receive, retain or keep it in its possession and if it receives such funds from the diaspora, it must declare and transmit it to INEC within 21 days of receipt.

For the avoidance of doubt, Section 225(3) of the Constitution is aptly reproduced thus:

"225.
...
(3) No political party shall -
(a) hold or possess any funds or other assets outside Nigeria; or
(b) be entitled to retain any funds or assets remitted or sent to it from outside Nigeria.
(4) Any funds or other assets remitted or sent to a political party from outside Nigeria shall be paid over or
transferred to the Commission within twenty-one days of its receipt with such information as the Commission
may require."

So a Political Party can actually raise funds for good cause and ask that the funds be donated to charity organizations.

So no cause for alarm if Labour Party does this.

I don't know what the law says about that but if you say he can raise funds, then he can raise funds.

litigator:
Hmmm! The Labour party can actually raise funds in accordance with the express provisions of Section 225 (3); insofar as it does not intend to retain or possess the funds.

It is, therefore, better for the Labour Party to request or instruct that the funds be donated to third parties. Examples: charitable organizations).

It can simply do this in conjunction with charitable organizations working under a mandate of rebuilding Nigeria whilst abroad and won't even touch or bring a dime into Nigeria.

The truth remains that Section 225 (3) does not expressly forbid a political party from raising funds. The Koko is that it cannot receive, retain or keep it in its possession and if it receives such funds from the diaspora, it must declare and transmit it to INEC within 21 days of receipt.

For the avoidance of doubt, Section 225(3) of the Constitution is aptly reproduced thus:

"225.
...
(3) No political party shall -
(a) hold or possess any funds or other assets outside Nigeria; or
(b) be entitled to retain any funds or assets remitted or sent to it from outside Nigeria.
(4) Any funds or other assets remitted or sent to a political party from outside Nigeria shall be paid over or
transferred to the Commission within twenty-one days of its receipt with such information as the Commission
may require."

So a Political Party can actually raise funds for good cause and ask that the funds be donated to charity organizations.

So no cause for alarm if Labour Party does this.

Good morning litigator.

Thanks for your clarification of this issue. That's one of the reason why I am your ardent follower here on Nairaland.

More power!

Thank you litigator for shining a light on this matter.

There are hundreds , if not thousands of Obi/Datta movements in cities across North America and Europe. They raise funds to host awareness events, picnics and Townhall meetings that sometimes include the candidate. These Obi/Datti movements are independently run and are free from any central coordinator. There are no directs links , administrative or financial, to the Labour Party of Nigeria.
I am not aware of the existence of Labour Party outside of Nigeria.

Therefore, to insinuate the Peter Obi or the Labour Party are raising funds from abroad is just a ruse by desperate BATists , obviously to obfuscate the fact that the have very little tangible qualities with which to sell their candidate.