Rimi and I turned down Kyari’s N160m bribe to make him Obasanjo’s VP — Lamido

Lamido

Former National Secretary of the defunct Social Democratic Party and former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has revealed that he and the late former Governor of Kano State, Abubakar Rimi, rejected a N160 million bribe from late Abba Kyari intended to secure their support for Olusegun Obasanjo’s vice presidential slot.

In an excerpt from his autobiography, ‘Being True to Myself’, launched on May 13, Sule Lamido shared that those considered for the vice presidential slot included Jibril Aminu, former Central Bank Governor, Adamu Ciroma, and Abubakar Rimi.

The former governor said Kyari, who later served as Chief of Staff to former President Muhammadu Buhari, came to them with a N160 million bank draft.

In Chapter 9, titled ‘Abdulsalami’s Transition and Formation of the PDP,’ Lamido recounted that Kyari left quietly and embarrassed after they refused to accept the money.

He stated, “The young man greeted me in the traditional respectful salutation for elders, Ranka ya dade (May you live long), Sule! He then continued, gesturing to his companion, who extended his hand for a handshake, saying: ‘This is Abba Kyari, my companion. He wants to be allowed to serve as the running mate to Obasanjo on the PDP platform. He has brought a bank draft for the sum of N160 million as a contribution to the party, to meet the campaign expenses.’

“Rimi and I were stunned. We couldn’t believe what we just heard. We were both in shock as we stared at the two men, who also stared back at us with a straight face. ‘What?’ I reacted. ‘I beg your pardon. Are you coming here with money to buy us? So, you are giving us N160 million for Kyari, whom we have never met before, to be allowed to be the running mate to Obasanjo, as the Vice President of Nigeria?’

“My eyes were red with anger. ‘You aren’t serious, are you? You idiot!’ They went away, sheepishly.

“The young man had brought Kyari to meet us because he thought Rimi and I were very crucial in the selection process. It was quite incredible that Abba Kyari, at that time, could offer so much money to buy the position of vice president!” Punch