‘I Received N53M From PDP Chieftain For Advocacy Visits’ – Tanko Yakassai

Former presidential aide, Tanko Yakassai has said that he received N53 million from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Tony Anenih, for ‘advocacy visits to northern traditional rulers.’

Yakassai said the money was used to ensure that the traditional leaders would mobilize their subjects for the 2015 general elections, Vanguard reports.

“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,” he told Vanguard.

“I want to make it abundantly clear that I didn’t receive money from Chief Anenih in my private capacity as Tanko Yakassai but as patriotic individuals who are interested in the peaceful coexistence of the polity,” he added.

Yakassai said further that the money was spent on allowances, transportation and hotel accommodation for members of his group during an 18-state tour.

He listed the beneficiaries of the funds as former minister of state for Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Mamman Anka, Barrister Bitrus Gwada and Alhaji Suleiman Lawal, Dr Bahago, Chief John Macklink from Plateau, and Senator Sodangi.

Anenih disclosed the sum given to Yakassai while explaining to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) how he shared a sum of N260 million which he received from former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki.

Dasuki is at the center of a massive money laundering investigation and is alleged to have supervised the looting of $2.1 billion funds which were meant for the procurement of arms for Nigeria’s military.

He was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) on December 1, 2015 and handed over to the EFCC the day after.