Chidi Samuel|
Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai on Monday said that he does not have up to N20m in his account.
The governor made the claim in government house, Kaduna while receiving the expression of interest and nomination form purchased for him by some groups in the state.
The ruling APC has placed the costs of the forms at N22.5 million for all intending governorship candidates in the across the country.
The groups that purchased the forms for the governor are, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), the Association of Cattle Sellers, Sheikh Gumi Market Association and NATO.
The spokesman for the groups, Abbas Likoro, while presenting the form to the governor, their gesture was to show their support for his good work.
“We are here a loud voice to give our support, contributions and our zeal to follow your cause. We have mobilised all our members in Kaduna state to make sure you are re-elected in 2019.”
“We have seen your contributions to the development of Kaduna state, we admire your visionary leadership. Your cause is our cause, your struggle is our struggle, your worry is our worry. Kaduna state needs you, the country needs your ideas. We also need your energy and your passion for the state. We are going to support you.”
el Rufai, while commending the groups for the gesture, however, described it as a pleasant surprise.
“When the party fixed the money for the form, I could remember that during the meeting, the President was the first person to raise his hands and said he does not have N50m.”
”In fact, we the governors started discussing on how we will raise the money for Mr. President.
“We said each governor will contribute N2 million each and we travelled to China and it was in China I told the president that some group have purchased the form for you. So who will buy my own for me?
“I don’t have N20 million also to buy my form. The money I have in the bank is not close to that amount. I have only one account in GT. Except I sell my house will I be able to raise that amount.”