The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Electoral Panel that conducted the party’s primaries in Kaduna State, Mr. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, has alleged there was an attempt to induce him with N10 million to favour one of the aspirants.
Iduoriyekemwen while speaking with newsmen said he however rejected the money when one of his committee members informed him that N10million gift was set aside for him.
“I said we don’t need the money, and asked them what the money was for. He tried to convince me that he was the Sole Candidate and that was why I must accept the money. I told him pointedly that I was in Kaduna on assignment for the National Working Committee, with a brief to do free and fair primary elections for duly-cleared candidates”.
Iduoriyekemwen provided the number of Akeem Okedara through whom the pledge of N10million offer was allegedly made.
When contacted on phone, Akeem Okedara, a member of the committee denied the allegation saying “There was nothing like that, but Shehu Sani wanted to give us something and we turned it down”.
Meanwhile Abdulsamad Chima Amadi, the SA Media to Senator Shehu Sani in a reaction, said he was aware of allegations of bribery against his principal.
He said it is laughable to claim an aspirant who was the sole candidate will offer financial inducements.
He said, “First of all, Sen. Shehu Sani virtually had no rival in the primaries; he was the only person cleared. So what does he need to bribe the committee for? So when you look at it from all angles Senator Shehu Sani had no reasons whatsoever to bribe the committee.
“No amount of blackmail will deter or distract Sen. Shehu Sani. We stand by the mandate given to him by the APC and good people of Kaduna central, and as usual, that mandated shall be put to good use for the betterment of our people.”