For N5,000 per head, former military dictator, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, IBB , rented a crowd for his 2011 presidential ambition declaration in Abuja, facts have emerged. P.M.NEWS revealed that the desperate general, who annulled the freest election in the country in 1993, rented at least 50 support groups and NGOs in the bid to hoodwink unsuspecting Nigerians into believing that he has remained popular.
Rented supporters protested in front of Niger State Government House in Minna over non-payment of allowances promised by the State Government and politicians who contracted them for the rally.
“Forty-five 18-seater buses were hired to convey us to Abuja with a promise that each one of us will be paid N5, 000. We fulfilled our own side. We went to Abuja, shouted and danced for IBB. The whole world saw us but instead of Niger State government fulfilling their own part, they all ran away living us with nothing,” Musa M. Rabo told journalists during the protest.
Musa Ubale and Tijjani Umaru, leaders of other groups disclosed that they are not supporting IBB but travelled to Abuja because of money.
He said: “We are not lovers of IBB but we were promised N5, 000 each.”
They alleged that food and allowances promised them were not given to them when they got to Abuja.
“We left for Abuja as early as 7 a.m. on Wednesday from Minna and came back at about 1 a.m. Thursday without breakfast, lunch or dinner. We were told that money was released by the state government (Niger) but some few people want to hijack it,” a protester said.
When contacted, one of the leaders who hired the thugs confirmed that some of the groups are yet to be paid as agreed with the group.
“Now I am in Abuja. Please, don’t mention my name please,” he pleaded.
Chairman IBB Vision 2011, Alhaji Ubale Marafa Kagara, said that they paid all the members what was promised.
“Those you see protesting are not our members. We paid our people their money as promised. You know, there are other groups from government side, some from PDP and others from NGOs like us,” Kagara said.
P.M.NEWS learnt that Niger State government through the office of the Secretary to the State government released money for mobilisation of youths and NGOs for the IBB support rally in Abuja.
“That is why you see them in government house not IBB campaign office. Governor Ma’azu Babangida has released money for the job,” says a government official who did not want his name mentioned.
Special Assistant on Mobilization to Niger State government, Alhaji Yahuza Abdullahi, who has been accused of withholding the money, was seen pleading with the protesters. He left after he sighted journalists.
—Musa Aliyu/Minna
