As some of the powerful presidential aspirants lock horns in the ongoing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary election, it appeared the event has become an harvest season for the party’s delegates.
According to reports some of the undecided among the 3,500 delegates were said to have received thousands of dollars as bribes from some presidential aspirants.
Among the political gladiators contesting the PDP’s presidential ticket include former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal; Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo; a former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso; a former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa.
Others are the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki; a former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark; a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki (SAN) and a former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Jona Jang.
Also in the race are, a former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi; a former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido and Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed.
A source who is also a delegate confirmed to TheNewsGuru, TNG under condition of anonymity that , that the big wigs among the aspirants fetes delegates with dollars ranging from $1000 – $5000.
“You can’t take away financial inducement from a primary as important as this, but I can assure you the monies won’t really change the mandate; most of the delegates are just playing along and not necessarily selling out their votes.
“In fact, one of the factors the aspirants consider in deciding amount to be paid to the delegates depends on the state they come from. For instance no aspirant will waste his cash on states that are regarded as strong hold of their opposition. In cases where they are not too sure of the allegiance of the delegates they tend to spend more.
“The big aspirants are spending dollars while some of the not so strong ones are spending nairas in millions, so it all depends on which sees you as important. I only wish the primary continues to take place everyday, that is more of the free money coming to me. ” Says source.
Also, online newspaper, Premium Times, some delegates also said that they were expecting more money from other aspirants.
“We have received our first goodwill from the Senate President Bukola Saraki,” a delegate from Nasarawa state told the news website.
“It is our first dollars here, but we know more would still come from other aspirants, they have been calling us since yesterday.”
It was learned that the top lawmaker was probably the first to pay out cash to influence the choice of delegates.
Other aspirants gunning for the PDP presidential ticket include former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; and Sokoto state Governor, Aminu Tambuwal.
Others are Gombe state Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo; former Kano state Governor Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso; and former Kaduna state Governor Ahmed Makarfi.
Also in the running are former Senate President David Mark; former Plateau state Governor Jonah Jang; former Jigawa state Governor Sule Lamido; Atahiru Bafarawa; Tanimu Turaki; Datti Baba-Ahmed; and Stanley Osifo.
The political gladiators will know their fate latest on Sunday.
Aspirants make 11th hour pitches for votes
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Senate President Bukola Saraki among other aspirants contending for the PDP ticket made 11th hour pitches to woo the undecided among the 3,600 delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party attending the national convention in Port Harcourt to elect a presidential candidate.
He also said he would provide healthcare to Nigerians.
‘’Four years ago, the people of Nigeria voted for change; today they are not happy with the change they received; government has become less transparent.
”I ask for your support in picking the PDP ticket; together we can truly get Nigeria working again.
Sen. Bukola Saraki urged all the 3, 600 delegates at the convention to vote for him.
He stated that the people need a leader like he in the 21 century, adding that poverty is affecting Nigeria but
”Unfortunately poverty does not know party, ethnicity or religion.”
He blamed issues of poverty on what he alleged to be APC’s poor governance and appealed to the delegates to vote for him for a government of inclusion which according to him, is what Nigeria needs now.
”If you want a 21st century leader, you will vote for me. A vote for me is a vote for the youth, for inclusive governance,” he said.