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| Obama 'disowns' Nigeria fund raisers
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Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) -
The campaign organisation of US Democratic
Party presidential candidate Barack Obama has disowned a Nigerian
group that has embarked on a fund raising campaign for the
organisation.
'Africa for Obama', headed by the controversial head of the Nigerian
Stock Exchange, Dr. Ndi Okereke-Onyuike, had recently raised 100
million naira (US$847,457) from a high-profile dinner in the Nigerian
economic capital.
Tickets at the dinner, held 11 August, ranged from 325,000 naira
(US$2,754) to 2.5 million naira (US$21,186).
Apparently following enquiries by local Punch newspaper, the Obama
campaign organisation wrote a letter to the newspaper dissociating
itself from the fund-raiser, because US laws do not permit American
politicians to take money from non-US citizens or people who don't
have permanent US residency.
Punch quoted the letter by the Staff Counsel for the Obama for
America, Ms. Kendall C. Burman, as saying in part: "We want to inform
you that Obama for America, Inc, which is the principal campaign
committee for Senator Barrack Obama in his campaign for President of
the United States, and the Democratic National Committee are in no way
affiliated with this event or with this organisation.
"Obama for America and the Democratic National Committee will not
accept any funds raised at this event or through the fund-raising
activities of this group.
"We want to make it clear that the event and this organisation are in
no way associated with Obama for America of the Democratic National
Committee should this organisation seek to place additional
advertisement in your paper."
The turn of events will surely delight critics of the fund-raising,
who had said the action could affect Obama's chances and portray him
as appealing to racial sentiments.
The critics were particularly irked by the involvement of
Okereke-Onyuike, a close ally of former President Olusegun Obasanjo
who also helped raised funds for his campaign and was believed to have
supported his aborted attempt to seek an unconstitutional third term
in office.
But the Punch quoted Okereke-Onyuike as saying the money raised was to
be used for an awareness campaign to sensitize African-Americans to
register and vote for Obama.
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| Lagos - 19/08/2008 |
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