Lokoja – Five delegates to the last All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for Kogi West senatorial district have returned money given to them by Sen. Smart Adeyemi.
The delegates said they decided to return the money because they did not vote for Adeyemi due to circumstances beyond their control.
Adeyemi who was taken aback by the high level of honesty displayed by the delegates consequently
offered them hajj slots as a reward for their honesty.
Speaking with journalists at the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday, Adeyemi said he was moved by their honesty and asked them to go with the money with a promise to sponsor them to Makkah on hajj pilgrimage in 2023.
“Normally, we give some supports to delegates to augment their expenses, transport, feeding and accommodations. But don’t ask me how much.
“Delegates from a particular local government, which is predominantly inhabited by Muslims, were not allowed to vote for me because the returning officer, who is from that local government and equally a Muslim asked, them to support Sunday Karimi, who is from a neighbouring federal constituency to mine.
“This local government is called Koton Karfe. A week after the election, five of them came to Abuja and they are all Muslims. They said to me that in Islam, it is haram (prohibited) to take what does not belong to you.
“So, senator, the money you gave for feeding, accommodation and transport to support us, we have returned all your money because we were not allowed to vote for you.
” But you are our candidate. They bust into tears, that they had been denied. But please, take our photographs for record purposes and future.
“This is your money. I look at them and said you have endeared Islam to my heart even though I’m a Christian. You returned the money? Please go with the money. I have blessed this money for you.
“They started crying and I assured them that next year, the five of you, I will send you to Makkah. If your faith in Islam is like this, then you have made me to respect Islam the more.
“I have sponsored not less than 400 Muslims to Makkah. But for five Muslims to return the money I gave to them back to me and said it is haram, I was moved emotionally.
“I never new we still have Nigerians like these people. They returned money and said they were denied to vote for me. I took their pictures,” he said.
Senator Adeyemi described the conduct and outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial primaries held in Kogi West as a complete rape of democracy, a daylight robbery and an extremely manipulated exercise.
Adeyemi alleged that delegates were coerced to vote against their choices, except insignificant few.
“Let me state unequivocally and without ambiguity, that the elections which took place on the 22th of May, 2022 in Kogi State were neither free nor fair.”
He said it is on record that the list of delegates was changed 24 hours to the elections proper, adding that individuals who are not from Kogi West were brought in to vote under extremely hostile environment with militants, armed men and unidentified thugs in their numbers.
Adeyemi said this was apart from authorised security agents who were present to observe the event and ensure law and order.
He stated that what is crucial is the fact that the returning officer, Bashir Gegu, had once aspired to run for the same office, and is a sitting commissioner in Kogi State.
“As soon as he was announced as the returning officer, my ward wrote a formal letter to protest his nomination as it would have been impossible for him to be fair and just.
“On the day of the election, he personally compelled people to vote his own choice, with most of the commissioners present in the voting hall.
“Delegates were further made to comply with orders by saying they were unable to write and therefore a designated person commenced voting on their behalf,” he said.
According to Adeyemi, it was only an insignificant few who had the courage to vote their respective choices, regardless of the gross and palpable intimidation.
He said those present would attest to the fact that he departed the venue as quickly as he observed what was going on, and even before counting of the adulterated votes commenced.
The senator said he had filled a formal petition at the APC secretariat giving full account of the events that took place.
