A frontline presidential aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, said he left N13 billion in the Sokoto State Government’s treasury after his tenure as governor.
Bafarawa disclosed this in Owerri on Thursday at the PDP party state secretariat during a visit to party stakeholders to solicit support for his presidential ambition.
The former governor said during his eight years in office he did not receive any salary, but rather he used the money to develop the state.
The presidential contender said his victory over the criminal charges against him by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission ( EFCC ) showed that he was a politician with a clean record.
He said his ambition for the presidential position was borne out of his zeal to revive the country’s economy for the benefit of all citizens.
“I have experience and the most qualified to preside over the present Nigeria and as a good manager I will correct all the anomalies.
“PDP delegates should not make any mistake during the party’s primaries by electing inexperienced aspirants for this job, that is why I have come to present myself to you,” he said.
In his reaction, a PDP Board of Trustee member, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu, described Bafarawa as a `true democrat and detribalised politician’.
He said Bafarawa had a very strong political track record which stood him out among other aspirants.
Iwuanyawu, who expressed optimism that South-East would not be marginalised under Bafarawa, pointed out that most of his close allies were Igbos.
PDP Chairman in Imo, Mr Babatunde Ezekwe, assured Bafarawa of the state delegates’ support.
“We are strongly behind your aspiration, go and do your underground work well; as for us we are working tirelessly to ensure that PDP wins in Imo and the presidency,” he said.
Bafarawa has been on tour of the South East states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo.