GANDUJE BRIBERY VIDEO: Kano govt, Presidency react

Kano State government and the Presidency have reacted to the video trending on social media and other internet platforms, where Governor Abdullahi Ganduje was captured allegedly receiving bribe amounting to about $5 million from contractors in the state.

While Kano State government claimed that the video was doctored, the Presidency said that the video was ‘suspicious’ and asked Nigerians not to be “carried away with anything and everything” especially in this political season.

An online newspaper which published the video had explained that it was an operation that started two years ago after one of the contractors in the state agreed to plant spy camera on his Kaftan while offering the bribe.

But in its reaction, Kano State Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, said in a statement on Sunday:

“We wish to state that there is no iota of truth to these allegations and if indeed there is any such alleged video, it is at best cloned.

“Kano state government has decided to file a criminal case against an online publication Daily Nigerian and its publisher on defamation of character after it released a clone and doctored video footage mischievously portraying Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje involved in an inappropriate conduct.

“The Office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice is challenging the implausible and eccentric posting of the cloned video that went viral in a court of law considering the gravity of the caricature, which indicates the extent to which mischievous elements can go to discredit public figures by wielding non-existent scandals against them.

“A mere observation of the cloned video clearly shows that the video is doctored and disjointed with no material facts or evidence to prove the allegations, other than a callous attempt to tarnish the hard earned image of the office and the person of the governor.

“The governor of Kano State wishes to once again emphatically debunk the allegation of receiving gratification of $5 Million or any amount whatsoever from any person or body. It is important to draw the attention of the general public to the fact that the alleger (sic) is a serial blackmailer and extorter (sic).

“We are also aware that the hidden motive is to reduce the popularity of the governor and consequently affect the anticipated quantum of APC votes from Kano in the 2019 general elections.

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“While the state government is taking the legal action, we wish to assure the good people of Kano that His Excellency will remain focused and continue with laudable programmes that will add value to the lives of the people of Kano State.

“We also call on the general public, especially members of the APC to remain calm and always be law abiding”, the statement stated.

The Presidency’s reaction came from the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Diaspora & Foreign Affairs, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

She wrote on her Twitter page, “No audio?? Suspicious.”

Asked by a respondent if CCTV has audio?

Arewa replied, “You are obviously ignorant. The report said the person who recorded hid the camera in his cloth, in this political season; don’t get carried away with anything and everything. Think.”

 

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