All Progressive Congress (APC) delegates from Adamawa and Ogun States disclosed today that they had received cash gifts from Bola Tinubu, but that it could offset doubts over earlier expectations that the ruling All Progressives Congress’ presidential primaries would be grossly monetised.
Some of the delegates disclosed to journalists who were around at the convention center that they were offered American banknotes to support Mr Tinubu and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
It is reported that Tinubu gave Ogun delegates $25,000 each to induce his acceptance as the party’s presidential flag-bearer tonight, Adamawa delegates said they received $10,000 each from Mr Tinubu.
Speaking with newsmen, one of the party delegates said: “Ashiwaju’s people came here and they said we should support him because he has the best chance to defeat Atiku Abubakar,” “Then they said they didn’t come empty-handed.”
Also, delegates from Ogun state confirmed that they got $25,000 from the former Lagos governor, but, that they rejected the $5,000 offered to them by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
“The vice-president’s people initially said he didn’t have any money to give and advised everyone to vote their conscience,” a delegate said. “But suddenly they came back to say he wanted to give us $5,000 to support our transportation and hotel accommodation.” one of the delegates disclosed.
The delegates admitted they rejected the money because it was smaller than what Mr Tinubu, perhaps the biggest contender for the ticket, had already offered.
At least one delegate claimed being shortchanged by Mr Tinubu’s surrogates.
“I don’t know what happened but they only gave me $9,000,” the politician said. “I am working now to get the balance from the person they sent to us.”
The APC National Convention is ongoing at the Eagles Square in the capital of the country, and APC has certified 2,322 delegates to vote at the primary, with 248 allotted to Ogun while Adamawa got 184.
