Kaduna PDP: Seized N25.9m was for party logistics not vote buying

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna have revealed that the N25.9 million cash seized from one of its members during Saturday’s by-election is for party logistics.

Edward Masha, Kaduna PDP chairman, made the statement at a press conference on Saturday to clear the air about the alleged vote-buying going on in the party.

In the early hours of Saturday, police had arrested one Shehu Aliyu Patangi with about N25,963,000 at a popular hotel located along Turunku Road in Kaduna metropolis.

According to the police, the suspect was allegedly trying to induce voters with cash, to manipulate them into voting for the candidate of his choice.

After series of investigation, the suspect was found out to be a member of the PDP and this has prompted the state’s party chairman to hold a press conference to clear the party’s name.

Masha said PDP mobilised over 6,000 agents across the three constituencies for the by-election, adding that the funds were meant for the welfare of the agents and supervisors.

“Let me make it clear that money was for election logistics.

“We have 169 polling units. We have party agents, supervisors, and collation officers across the three constituencies. Even if you give them N3,000 each, it is over N30 million.

“That is the reality. To now turn around and say it was for vote buying is mischievous and an insult to the intelligence of Nigerians,” he told the press.

Speaking further, the Kaduna PDP chairman accused the security operatives of harassing his party at the request of the state government.

Masha further revealed that security operatives on Friday raided the campaign council office of Esther Ashivelli Dawaki, PDP candidate for the Chikun/Kajuru federal constituency.

According to him, party officials, including the state publicity secretary, zonal chairman, youth leader, women leaders, and over 18 others, were whisked away during the raid.

He alleged that the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) is weaponising state institutions as scare tactics to intimidate the opposition.

Earlier on Saturday, Aminu Tambuwal had said the same thing about APC using the EFCC to intimidate him into joining their party.