Babayo Garmawa, the suspended deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) probably to avoid continuation of prosecution in a case of alleged N500 fraud, Tanko Yakasai, has claimed.
Yakasai, an elder statesman, said this after reports that Babayo, who was suspended by the PDP, and a member of the board of trustees of the party, Kaulaha Aliyu, were received by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Yakasai was quoted, on Wednesday, January 9, saying: “l can assure you that they are daily being hunted by the ruling party using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC and the Nigeria Police Force.
“But my advise to these politicians is that they should stop being afraid because it will be over very soon, Insha-Allah.”
Yakasai criticized Buhari’s anti-corruption policy saying it provides protection for corrupt people who agree to become members of the APC while troubling and intimidating opposition members.
“You can see why many of us who are serious minded people don’t support his anti-corruption policy. Why do people who are facing corruption charges easily find peace when they enter APC?
“They are made to use their loot to fund his re-election campaigns, and thereafter are regarded as clean,” he said.
According to reports, Babayo is standing trial alongside five chieftains of the PDP in Bauchi state for allegedly receiving N500 million for the 2015 campaigns of the party.
It quoted the EFCC as saying the money was part of the funds reportedly given out by the former petroleum minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke for the prosecution of the 2015 election.
It is, however, not certain the state of the case currently.
Igberetvnews earlier reported that hours after he was suspended by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the deputy national chairman (north) of the opposition organisation, Babayo Gamawa, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and visited President Muhammadu Buhari.
