Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje has described the video showing him collecting dollars allegedly from a contactor as “cloned.”
He has also filed a suit for defamation against the publisher of the video which went viral on Sunday.
In the video published Daily Nigerian, an online platform, the governor appeared to have received $230,000. All the cash was hastily stashed in his “babanriga,” a native attire common amongst men of northern Nigerian origin.
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 short video was recorded in 2017 in what the publication described as “a sting operation aimed at beaming a spotlight on the governor’s alleged penchant for contract racketeering.”
Reacting to the video on Sunday, the Kano State Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba in a statement said the publication dwelt on a doctored video “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,” adding that “the governor wishes to once again emphatically debunk the allegation of receiving gratification of $5million or any amount whatsoever from any person or body.”
According to the statement the fellow making the allegation “is a serial blackmailer and extorter.
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“We are also aware that the hidden motive is to reduce the popularity of the governor and consequently affect the anticipated quantum of APC votes from Kano in the 2019 general election.
“While the state government is taking the legal action, we wish to assure the good people of Kano that His Excellency will remain focused and continue with laudable programmes that will add value to the lives of the people of Kano State.
“We also call on the general public, especially members of the APC to remain calm and always be law abiding.”
The statement Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has filed a defamation suit against the online medium Daily Nigerian “for portraying him in an inappropriate conduct.”
