Reactions Trail Video of Governor Ganduje Allegedly ‘Collecting Bribe’ From Contractors
Reactions have continued to trail the video of Kano state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje allegedly receiving ‘bribe’ from contractors.
The video published by Daily Nigerian, an online newspaper, showed the governor receiving bundles of dollars and putting them into his white dress known as ‘babanriga’ in the northern part of Nigeria.
The governor who debunked the video as “cloned” has threatened a sweeping lawsuit against its publisher.
In a statement by Muhammad Garba, commissioner of information, the government said it had decided to file a criminal case against Daily Nigerian.
“The Office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice is challenging the implausible and eccentric posting of the cloned video that went viral in a court of law considering the gravity of the caricature, which indicates the extent to which mischievous elements can go to discredit public figures by wielding non-existent scandals against them,” the statement reads.
“A mere observation of the cloned video clearly shows that the video is doctored and disjointed with no material facts or evidence to prove the allegations, other than a callous attempt to tarnish the hard earned image of the office and the person of the Governor.
“The Governor of Kano State wishes to once again emphatically debunk the allegation of receiving gratification of $5Million or any amount whatsoever from any person or body.”
But PREMIUM TIMES’ graphics experts who examined the video corroborated the position of Daily Nigerian, which earlier said its internal and independent graphics analysts have authenticated the clips.
In the only video published so far, the governor appeared to have received $230,000. Daily Nigerian said the $230,000 was part of a series of cash advancement to the governor in a total bribery deal of $5 million.
The published version was uploaded without audio, apparently to conceal the identify of the contractors from the public.
However, PREMIUM TIMES saw the version of the clip with audio on Sunday evening.
“I think you should collect this money before anyone walks in,” one of the contractors could be heard telling the governor. “I think you should put it on your body to conceal it with your babanriga.”
A brief laughter then erupted amongst them. The video was reportedly shot in one of the living rooms at the governor’s official residence in Kano, the state capital.
“MD will soon be back from Istanbul on Friday evening to give us the other allocations,” the contractor added after telling the governor he had concealed a total of $230,000 in his babanriga for the day’s transaction.
Meanwhile, Thelagostimes was able to get reactions to the story from some Nigerians on twitter.
Below are some of the tweets:
Either way, the right thing to do with this #Ganduje case is for the Kano House of Assembly, the @officialEFCC and the @PoliceNG to commence separate investigations to ensure the money exchanged was for legitimate purposes.
— Mr. Aye Dee (@MrAyeDee) October 14, 2018
This Gov Ganduje’s bribe issue is a real test on President @Mbuhari’s fight against corruption. Is it a real one or the administration have been lying all along,we watch on 👀
— Muhammadu Tijjani (@Byniass) October 14, 2018
Who was responsible for the soundtrack in that Ganduje video? Made the governor look like ciroki collecting money to marry off his daughter to the rich man she doesn't like
— Ibrahim (@theMaskedCzar) October 14, 2018
EFCC should track down and arrest the tailor who made Ganduje’s Babbar Riga…he made it on purpose 😏.
— Engr_Muky (@ilumuktar) October 14, 2018
Behold the man who promised Buhari 5Million votes rather he collected $5Million
Saint Ganduje….Gov Kano State
Travel ban activated. pic.twitter.com/arjlagyATa
— A_RASHEED_LTD (@A_RASHEED_LTD) October 14, 2018
We now know why Kano Governor, @GovUmarGanduje, likes very big Agbada and baban riga. It is for ‘banking’ purposes. Farouk Lawan used cap banking, while Ganduje prefers agbada banking. No wonder they fought President Jonathan for introducing the cashless policy #RenosDarts
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) October 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/Ediong/status/1051496950363811840
One APC apologist said @GovUmarGanduje was colllecting his daughter’s bride price. When did bride price turn to BRIBE PRICE? Another one said Governor Ganduje was ‘cloned’. They think we are blind supporters of @MBuhari who believe whatever they are told #BabanrigaMobileBanking
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) October 14, 2018
Ganduje, Kano state Governor, collecting bribe from a contractor
Yet the Presidency haven’t sent a letter to customs or blocked his travel out of the country for corruption … is Mr Integrity still expecting the 5 million votes he promised from Kano? 😂 pic.twitter.com/UJ47ahStVb
— Being Human is not Enough (@realdanielemeka) October 14, 2018
The #Ganduje video doesn't prove a bribe was received, merely that he collected Dollars.
$ received could have been:
Proceeds from a successful & legitimate business transaction
Repayment of a loan
A Naira to Dollar FX ConversionTill audio is provided, we can only speculate.
— Mr. Aye Dee (@MrAyeDee) October 14, 2018
This is what $1 million in cash in $100 bills looks like, yet some of you are ignorantly proclaiming $5 million changed hands in the #Ganduje video… pic.twitter.com/RWWx8MTz1l
— Mr. Aye Dee (@MrAyeDee) October 14, 2018