The APC leaders, it was learnt, also threatened the lawmakers with death if they refuse to collect the money and stop the impeachment process.
But the APC, on Sunday, dared the presidency to probe the alleged bribery saga, asking that the presidency should also be opened to inquiry into who provided the funds for the alleged bribery of Nasarawa State lawmakers to impeach Governor Tanko Al-Makura.
Nigerian Tribune learnt from a presidency source that security agents were in possession of recordings of attempts by some APC governors to induce Adamawa lawmakers, in order to stop the impeachment.
The governors, one from the North and another from the South, were said to have approached two members of the House of Assembly with the money, to convince them to withdraw support and make it impossible for the impeachment of Nyako to scale through.
The source added that the APC leaders were only able to buy over one lawmaker, adding that when the inducement failed, they resorted to threat to the lives of the lawmakers.
It was learnt that the presidency was convinced that crimes had been perpetrated by the opposition leaders and was contemplating taking action if the APC leaders continued to falsely accuse President Goodluck Jonathan.
According to the source, “it was the assurance that they got from the lawmaker that more members would be bought over that originated the reports that Nyako might resign.
“What they don’t know is that all these are recorded. If they continue with their unfounded allegations against the president, the security agencies would be directed to arrest them and confront them with overwhelming evidence.”
Reacting to the allegation from the presidency that it offered bribe to Adamawa lawmakers to stop Nyako’s impeachment, APC said it was the presidency that provided the money for the impeachment as well as the ongoing process in Nasarawa to sack Al-Makura.
Its spokesperson, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, told the Nigerian Tribune that the allegation from the presidency was meant to shift the attention of Nigerians from the alleged $20 billion missing oil money and the over 300,000 barrels of crude oil being stolen daily.
“The allegation is not true. They should go ahead with whatever probe they want to conduct, at least, they are in government and control the security agencies. They are blatant liars. They think everybody is like them. Nigerians know that it is their government that is swimming in corruption.
“They should first explain to Nigerians what happens to the $20 billion missing oil money and the 300,000 barrels of crude oil that are daily stolen before they would make wild allegations.
“All they are trying to do is shift attention of Nigerians from their corrupt acts. We know all the money for impeachment in Adamawa and Nasarawa states came from the presidency and they know their governors providing it,” Mohammed said.
Nyako’s impeachment, demonstration of people’s power —PDP
The ruling party has rejected the attempt by APC to blame the impeachment of Nyako on the ruling party and President Jonathan.
The party argued that what happened in the state was a demonstration of the power of the people under a democracy.
PDP, in a statement issued by its national publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh, in Abuja, on Sunday, said in linking the party and the president to Nyako’s ouster, the APC was only being escapist, adding that such attitude could only come from pretenders to democracy.
According to PDP, “the impeachment of the former governor of Adamawa State was an act of democracy. It is a constitutional right, exclusively granted to the people of Adamawa.
“This, they exercised through the votes of the overwhelming majority of the elected members of the state House of Assembly, who also accorded the rule of law and due process rightful place in removing Nyako.”
The PDP said “if a sitting governor, who has spent over seven years in office, could be removed by more than two-third of the members of his state assembly, reasons should be located to fundamental factors within, rather than the trite excuses of external influence.”
Source: Tribune