I did not withdraw from guber race for N100m – Kaduna PDP aspirant

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

A Governorship aspirant for Kaduna State on the platform of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the just concluded primary election  Alhaji  Sama’ila Lawal Abdullahi Yakawada has denied collecting 100 million Naira to withdraw from the race during the recent PDP primary elections in Kaduna state.

The aspirant who made the denial in a phone call to our reporter said he was not given anything to withdraw from the contest has been speculated in some media (not Peoples Daily).

Sama’ila Yakawada who sought to know the source of the allegation in the phone call also asked “ who told you people i was given money to step-down for Governor Yero?”.

A three times guber contestant, Yakawada said his withdrawal from the race was based on his conviction and principle but expressed dismay that for anybody to think that he was bribed with 100 million  Naira to withdrew was mischievous and falsehood.

There were media reports that Yakawada and two other contestants that jostled for Kaduna number seats  on the tickets of PDP withdrew after pocketing 100 million Nara  each.

It was alleged that the money was given to them by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo on the eve of the primary election.

It was also said that some of those who agreed to withdraw would be made campaign Director of Governor Yero campaign organization to be announce soon.

Yero, who later won the election conducted between him and Gen. Haruna Zego Aziz (rtd), the only aspirant who insisted in contesting the primary for refusing to step down for Yero, was defeated by 99% votes cast.