• Tuesday, March 19, 2024
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Fear of prosecution drove Garmawa, others to APC – Yakassai

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The defection of the suspended former Deputy National Chairman North of the People’s Democratic party (PDP), Babayo Garmawa to the All Progressive Congress (APC), along side a member Board of Trustees of the party Kaulaha Aliyu, has been attributed to the results of growing fears of prosecution of politicians opposed to the ruling party.

Elder statesman Tanko Yankasai stated this on Wednesday while reacting to reports of Garmawa’s defection to the ruling All APC, and subsequent meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari last night at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“l can assure you that they are daily being hunted by the ruling party using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC and the Nigeria Police Force.

“But my advise to these politicians is that they should stop being afraid because it will be over very soon,” he said.

He berated the President’s anti-corruption policy which he said provide protection for corrupt people who agree to become members of the APC but harasses and intimidates members of the opposition parties

“ You can see why many of us who are serious minded people don’t support his anti-corruption policy. Why do people who are facing corruption charges easily find peace when they enter APC?

“ They are made to use their loot to fund his re-election campaigns, and thereafter are regarded as clean”

Recall that Gamawa who was at some points Speaker, Bauchi State House of Assembly, Deputy Governor and Senator representing Bauchi North, was June, last year, arraigned along with Ibrahim Dandija, a former Secretary to Bauchi State Government SSG under ex-Governor Isa Yuguda for six years, Aliyu Jalam, Dahiru Madaki, Sanusi Isa and Aminu Hamayo, who was at a time Commissioner for Finance and SSG, also in the state on allegations of laundering N500m

Gamawa who was accused of receiving the money from former Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison- Madueke, was received by the President late last night after pledging allegiance to his new party , APC

Gamawa who was accompanied to the state House by Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi spent over 30 minutes with the President.

But speaking after meeting with Buhari, he declared that “ As a Nigerian I want what is good for the country, I want the unity of my country and I want development.

“As a politician I don’t play my politics blindly I always speak my mind .

“You are quite aware of what the PDP did based on allegations without fair hearing they said they have suspended me but I want them to check their mails in the secretariat to know my position before their action. I have already tendered my resignation but I have no regrets.
“My conscience has been telling me that place is not the best for me.

Speaking on why he chose the APC, he said “ l chose APC because I believe in President Muhammadu Buhari, I believe in what he has been doing for this country so I want to be part of his developmental efforts to make Nigeria a better county.

Kaulaha Aliyu who also spoke after the meeting noted that “Its a matter of principles “
“I believe among all the candidates no body can come near the integrity and honesty of President Buhari and with what he has done to the North East in particular, I feel I should support him and do the best I can for him emerge victorious cone February 2019.”

Bauchi state Governor, Mohammed Abubakar had declared earlier that the duo were at the Villa to pledge their support for President Buhari.

“We are here for them to pledge their support for Mr President because of what he has been doing for Nigeria. They are very appreciative.”