Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State, claims that some delegates were paid to cast their votes in the APC presidential primaries in June.
At a function to celebrate Eugene Ogu’s 60th birthday, the general overseer of Abundant Life Evangel Mission in Port Harcourt, Mr. Amaechi made the accusation on Saturday.
Mr. Amaechi said in a video posted on the church’s Facebook page that the delegates raised money to address their urgent problems.
He further stated that some of the delegates who raised funds to cast their votes are now regretting their choices.
“God should save the ordinary Nigerian because they are the problem. Those who voted at the APC primary, who are they? The ordinary Nigerian. The small money they got solved their immediate problems,” he said.
The former governor finished in second place behind Bola Tinubu, who received 1271 votes, in the APC presidential primary, receiving 316 votes.
The candidate who reportedly paid delegates was not mentioned by Mr. Amaechi, but accusations and denials of charges were exchanged between Mr. Tinubu’s supporters and those of other APC candidates before, during, and after the primaries.
During the APC presidential primary, Mr Amaechi also alluded that aspirants were under pressure to induce voters.
While speaking to delegates, he said, “Ask all of us, what is our source of revenue? How did we get this money? The problem of the Nigerian State is all of us. Politicians will come here, talk to you and bring out money. Four years after, they will do the same thing and we will believe them.
“Put your money in your pocket and vote for Rotimi Amaechi,” he said.
Mr Amaechi is, however, not the only APC presidential aspirant to allege that money was shared to induce delegates at the primary.
Speaking about the results of the primary election, Mr. Amaechi claimed that the voters were regular Nigerians and labeled them the country’s problem.
“I don’t believe that is the solution to Nigeria’s problem — giving money. I hope you know. I give you N10 million now and when it finishes, what happens? The solution to Nigeria’s problem is that all of you must rise,” he said.
“Now ‘oh we made a mistake’; ‘we didn’t make a mistake’. We are hearing different things. If Nigeria’s problem were to be solved, the ordinary Nigerian must be at the forefront. Pray for the leadership of the country, but also pray that ordinary Nigerians choose the right president to govern.
“May God make — vote APC, I am not joking — may God make you vote for the right candidate that will change Nigeria,” he said.
