Over N747 million has been raised by the Sokoto State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at a fund raising dinner held at the International Conference Centre, Kasarawa, which spilled into the early hours of yesterday.
The trio of Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State, former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, gave the Sokoto State PDP N80 million in the sum of N50 million, N25 million and N5 million respectively.
A chieftain of the party in the state, who was the chief launcher, Alhaji Mukhtar Maigona, donated N50 million while AFDIN Construction Company Limited and Mr Ese Omorode, who were among the co-launchers donated N50 million each.
All the donors conformed to the stipulation of the Electoral Act, which pegged the ceiling of donations to political parties for individuals and groups at N50 million only.
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State, who expressed appreciation to the donors and guests at the star-studded event, recalled that the choice of the guests; particularly his counterpart, Sen. Diri and Saraki, was a reflection of the historic ties between Sokoto and Ogbia/Ilorin.
According to him, both Chief Melford Okilo (1903-2008) and Oloye Abubakar Olusola Saraki (1933-2012), played significant roles in the emergence of Alhaji Shehu Shagari (1925-2018), as president in the Second Republic.
He said this historical fact, which underscores the relationship that existed between President Shagari and these personalities, was what informed the choice and invitation of Diri and Saraki as special guest of honour and chairman of the occasion in that order.
In his opening remarks, Saraki said Sokoto State is the one that has sent a clear message as to where the political pendulum of the country will swing, during and after the forthcoming elections.
The former governor of Kwara State, who urged donors at the event to donate generously for the party’s electoral victory, added that the victory of PDP in Sokoto State will lead to PDP victory in Nigeria.
Governor Diri on his part said, the funds raised would contribute to the success of the PDP nationwide.
He said, “Nigeria needs to be restored and there is no other way to do this than through voting for the PDP, so as to ensure that the country does not go deeper into further mess.”
