A group, Bauchi Coalition against Financial Crimes and Injustice has accused the Bauchi State Government of allegedly backing a member of the House of Representatives to buy votes ahead of the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary election.
Secretary-General of the group, Yakubu Alhaji Jibrin made this claim in a petition sent to the APC national chairman, a copy of which was obtained by DAILY POST.
The petition followed the alleged support of the Bauchi State Government to Rep Ibrahim Mohammed Baba for Katagum federal constituency to mobilise funds for delegates from the constituency ahead of APC’s primary election in the area.
“As anti-corruption body, our attention had been drawn to such electoral offence ahead of APC primary where a serving reps member, Baba, has the alleged support of government to buy votes from delegates ahead when it’s an electoral offence,” Jibrin said.
The coalition explained that the decision to petition the APC national chairman was also to caution the Bauchi State Government for refusing to adopt direct primary election in recent bye-election.
According to it, “Maybe those opposing the direct primary in line with the APC directive have something to fear in this regard and have resorted to support unpopular politician for vote buying ahead of APC primary election.”
Jibrin maintained that the anti-corruption group will do everything within the ambit of the law to resist any attempt to defy APC directive on direct primary election.
The coalition therefore urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the party to step up actions to curb the trend of vote buying to rescue the nation’s democracy.
Reacting however, Governor Mohammed Abubakar’s Chief Press Secretary, Al-Sadig Sufi denied the allegations, describing it as a campaign of calumny meant to smear the reputation of the Bauchi State Government.
He said, “How can a government get involved in a primary election when it’s the sole business of political parties and government cannot speak for Rep Baba mobilizing funds ahead of APC primary election”.
The Chief Press Secretary then warned civil society organisations not to allow selfish politician use them as willing tool for destroying the good works of his principal.
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