Dasukigate: Yakasai recants, admits he got N53m from Jonathan

Despite earlier vehemently denying receiving money from the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Elder Statesman, Tanko Yakasai, on Wednesday confirmed that he received the sum of N53 million from the former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Tony Anenih.

According to Yakasai, he collected the money from Anenih on behalf of himself and 8 other prominent northern elders.

Chief Anenih, a former Minister of Works under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, had in a letter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, explained how he disbursed the N260 million given to him by the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, mentioning specifically that he gave N63 million to Yakasai. The former special adviser to former President Shehu Shagari however said he received N53 million.

Throwing more light on the money, Yakasai said it was given him and 8 other prominent northerners for advocacy visit to northern traditional rulers to mobilise their subjects for hitch free 2015 general election.

Yakasai said: “Yes, myself and 8 others collected N53m from chief Tony Anenih to pay advocacy visit to prominent northern emirs to mobilised their subjects for a hitch free 2015 general elections”, stating that the development followed a request by the Anenih to make available to him list of “9 apolitical but respected individuals from the north”.

He also declared that the N53m disbursed to his team by the Benin High Chief catered for the group’s members allowances, transportation and hotels accommodation on a tour that took them to 18 states in the north.

Yakasai however insisted that the money had nothing to do with the campaigns for former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

He listed former minister of state, foreign Affairs, Alhaji Mamman Anka, Barrister Bitrus Gwada and Alhaji Suleiman Lawal as beneficiaries of the money.

Other beneficiaries included Dr Bahago, Chief John Macklink from Plateau, and Senator Sodangi.

It will be recalled that Yakasai had last week granted an interview where he denied ever recieving financial patronage from Jonathan administration.

He said in the interview: “I want to make it categorically clear that no officials of the last regime either Mr. Jonathan, his lieutenant, agents, contractors or person having links or relationship with the last administration gave me cash on behalf of that regime for a reason.”

Yakasai however insisted on Wednesday that “I want to make it abundantly clear that I didn’t received money from Chief Anenih in my private capacity as Tanko Yakasai but to patriotic individuals who are interested in the peaceful coexistence of the polity”.

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