Following the letter written to the EFCC by the former Chairman of PDP Board Of Trustees, Tony Anenih, explaining how he got and shared N260 million from embattled former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki, Kano state Elder Statesman, Tanko Yakasai Wednesday confirmed that Chief Tony Anenih gave him and 8 other prominent northerners N53 million for advocacy visit to northern traditional rulers to mobilize their subjects for hitch free 2015 general election.
“Yes, I and 8 others collected N53m from Chief Tony Anenih to pay advocacy visit to prominent northern emirs to mobilize their subjects for a hitch free 2015 general elections”, Yakasai said.
According to the letter, Anenih claimed to have received N260 million, and he gave N53 million to a group co-ordinated by a former Special Assistant to former President Shehu Shagari, Tanko Yakasai, for the 2015 presidential election.
Yakasai also stated that this was due to the request by the PDP stalwart to make available to him list of “9 apolitical but respected individuals from the north”.
Yakasai however strongly denied the link between the funds and campaigns for former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, listed former minister of state, foreign Affairs, Alhaji Mamman Anka, Barrister Bitrus Gwada, Alhaji Suleiman Lawal, Dr Bahago, Chief John Macklink from Plateau, and Senator Sodangi, as beneficiaries of the money.
The former political aide to second republic NPN President had in the interview said;
“I want to make it categorically clear that no officials of the last regime either Mr. Jonathan, his lieutenant, agents, contractors or person having links or relationship with the last administration gave me cash on behalf of that regime for a reason.”
Yakasai disclosed that they visited, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, the emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris and the emir of Gwandu, other first class chief visited are, The emir of Anka, emir of Ilorin, emir of Nassarawa, Minnie, Bauchi, Zuru, Kebbi, Katsina, Dutse, Hadejia and representatives of emir of Daurawa.
Other prominent rulers visited further include, The Tor Tiv, the Gwom Gbom Jos, Ohimege Igu, Kotonkarfe, Etsu of Abaji, Etsu Nupe and Atta Igala.
Yakasai declared that the N53m disbursed to his team by the Benin High Chief catered for the group’s member’s allowances, transportation and hotels accommodation on a tour that took them to 18 states in the north.
The Elder Statesman finally said;
“I want to make it abundantly clear that I didn’t received money from Chief Anenih in my private capacity as Tanko Yakasai but to patriotic individuals who are interested in the peaceful coexistence of the polity”.
