THE All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday unveiled a platform for public participation and support in raising funds for its presidential campaign, vowing to reject funds from moneybags and anonymous donors.
Speaking at a briefing in Lagos, the Chairman of Buhari/Osinbajo Fund-Raising Committee, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, said the main objective of creating the platform for public participation in the fund-raising is to allow ordinary Nigerians to have a say in the governance of the country.
He said: “One of the things said by Gen. 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 were 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 said that the party had seen the enthusiasm of young people to participate in the election, regretting that a number of them have either been denied the opportunity to register or where they have registered, they are yet to receive their permanent voter’s cards (PVCs).
He said: “We also note the concern of Nigerians living abroad, many of them who 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, will 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 of what we will be spending this money on.”
Fashola, who disclosed there would be five payment platforms to receive the donations, said: “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 The names of the donors will not be published but they will be acknowledged by their names and telephone numbers so that I can thank them by text messages or letters. There is regulatory provision in the Electoral Act about how to manage campaign funds. And we have to comply with those regulations.”