2027: APC sharing N50m-N2bn to opposition candidates to step down from election in Abuja hotel – Buba Galadima

… The venue of funds distribution is Wells Carlton Hotel in Asokoro in Abuja

A stalwart of the opposition Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Engr Buba Galadima has claimed that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is sharing millions of naira to candidates of the opposition political parties they felt is strong enough to defeat APC, in his State.

He said a woman was brought from Zamfara State, the home state of the Director General of APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Kyari and former governor of Zamfara State to share the money to opposition politicians to withdraw from the 2027 general election to pave the way for APC candidates to contest unopposed.

Engr Galadima said the money offering varies on political offices as members of state Houses of Assembly who agree to forfeit their tickets and withdraw from the election are being offered N50 million, while members of the House of Representatives are allegedly being offered N200 million and a vehicle.

He claimed that an opposition Senatorial candidate is given N500 million and a brand new Jeep to step down, while governorship candidates are allegedly being offered N2 billion and a Jeep.

Speaking on Arise Television Prime Time programme on Tuesday in Abuja, Galadima further alleged that financial inducement was a broader part of the ruling All Progressives Congress to destroy opposition parties for various APC candidates to contest unopposed on 2027 elections.

Buba said, “President Tinubu and all his governors are afraid of contest, and they want to win unopposed.”

According to him, a woman was brought from Zamfara State on the order of Senator Abdulaziz Yari, who is a billionaire and is currently distributing money to politicians at the Carlton Hotel in Asokoro, Abuja.

He claimed that the Hotel is filled with security personnel, including operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), who are providing security cover.

In his words: “As we speak now, if you go to Carlton Hotel in Asokoro, there is a lady from Zamfara who is sharing money,” he said.

“There are a lot security people, DSS people, and everybody in the hotel as you go now.”

Buba further revealed that the woman recently held a meeting with the APC chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, in Abuja where some opposition candidates who had allegedly agreed to withdraw from the 2027 election were presented.

“In fact, she just held a meeting about three or four days ago with Professor Nentawe, the chairman of APC, showing some candidates who have forfeited their right to contest the election.

“They wrote resignation and they collected money,” Galadima said.

Buba however said the payments.varied according to political office being contested.

“I can say what happens, every member of the House of Assembly who agrees to forfeit his ticket and withdraw for APC candidate is being given 50 million naira,” he said.

“Every House of Rep member who agrees to let go his candidature will be given 200 million naira with their car. And several have collected, and they are still collecting from state to state.”

The programme anchor asked if he was alleging that opposition candidates were being persuaded to step aside to allow APC candidates to emerge unopposed, Galadima said: “Yes.”

Speaking on evidence, Buna said he has no documentary evidence to support his allegations and said he was ready to have allegations investigated.

He said he could be wrong, but he was relying on information made available to him.

“I may be wrong. I may be wrong, but this is the information we have,” he said.

He said candidates of the NDC and ADC in their various States were being targeted.

Asked if some candidates of his own party NDC were approached to step down, Galadima said some party members had attended meetings where such proposals were allegedly discussed.

He continues: “I know people who attended the meeting,” he said, adding that those involved had reported back to the party and had clips from the meetings.

Galadima accused APC of creating obstacles for the opposition so that no one should contest against them in 2027 general election.

“This APC and its government does not want any opposition person to campaign in any part of the country,” he alleged.

He ruled out APC’s brand of politics, accusing the party of destroying democracy and it’s principles.

“They can’t claim to be democrats and not imbibe the tenets of democracy,” Galadima said.

He further questioned whether preventing opposition politicians from freely campaigning could be described as democracy.

“Why should we call it democracy? We can just as well call it fascism or dictatorship or monarchy,” he said.