By; SAMSON YAKI, Lafia
Former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa, Labaran Maku has rejected the recent largesse from the government to stakeholders of the state.
This is the 2nd time that Maku, now the National Secretary of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) is rejecting the offer since Governor Abdullahi A. Sule assumed office in 2019.
The largesse, a source said was N50 million which the former deputy governor rejected, noting that he won’t soil his hands in corruption.
Stakeholders of the state comprising of former top officials of the state government were recently gifted millions of naira as a ‘thank you’ package for excellent service to the state while in office.
This, however, Maku rejected saying it was an attempt by the present administration to buy his conscience and make him an accomplice in its evil deeds against the impoverished people of the state.
Our source alleged that the largesse lured former deputy governor, Chief Luka Barau Dameshi into the All Progressives Congress (APC) recently.
Dameshi who rejoined the ruling party a week ago, described as personal his reason for leaving the embattled People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The former deputy governor was also assured of patronages from the present administration if he joins and galvanize support for the reelection of Governor Sule.
When contacted, a media aide to Governor Sule dismissed the claims that it was aimed at compromising the stakeholders.
The media aide who spoke under condition of anonymity said it was rather a part of their entitlements which was paid to them.
“This government has done excellently well in every areas. So, it doesn’t need to buy the support of anyone, not even the stakeholders”, he added.
Meanwhile, the speaker of the state House of Assembly (NSHA), Ibrahim Abdullahi Balarabe has declared Governor Sule as the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Speaker Balarabe made this known when a delegation of the Progressive Consolidation Group (PCG) paid them a courtesy call on Monday to galvanize support for Vice President Yemi Osibanjo to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
He however stressed that on the choice of presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, Governor Sule will decide for them.
