Protest over sale of Nasarawa property: PDP alleges plot to blackmail Al-Makura

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State has alleged that the recent protest by some citizens of the state residing in Lagos State over the purported sale of properties belonging to the State government has been described as an attempt to blackmail former governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.

The state chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Francis Orogu, made the assertion in Lafia yesterday while addressing journalists over the tension created by the protest.

He said: “What is happening now is just to blackmail Al-Makura because he is not giving them the political support the way they want it. They are not getting the kind of political support they need on the issue of the tribunal, so they feel that the next thing is to hit him below the belt.”

Orogu described the protest as gimmick and attempt by the government of Abdullahi Sule to arm-twist a man who is not giving the administration the support desired, as he grapples with his case.

“It is a political move to overheat the situation internally. The sale of Nasarawa State property is not hidden. Everybody is aware that properties were sold by the former administration. It was open that properties of Nasarawa State were mopped and forwarded to the 8th Assembly. They sat, deliberated and hurriedly passed it and these properties were sold in their own way.

“Sule has spent four years in Government House, he never realized that the properties were sold until now that things have fallen apart.”

The opposition leader in the State who said his views on the matter were based on his patriotic disposition and inclination to truth-telling, reminded the people that he was not on the same page with Al-Makura. “You all know it.”

“I stood against him and almost got him impeached because I was the chairman of Public Accounts Committee in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly. Every information, every document, I provided it. But I don’t do things because of malice, hatred or sentiment.

“I did that because that was the job the state gave me to do. Today, as an opposition leader, I am doing the same thing. What is happening in Lagos is just another team of boys mobilized to create room to indict an opponent who has finished his tenure and resting, I can even say resting in peace, politically speaking.”

He averred that Sule and his team “are only trying to bring him to book to show him that the little time remaining, if he cannot give them the needed support, they will fish him out. But the question is, is he the only one who bought the properties?

“I have all the records. I am in the Appeal Court on this case. Nobody should have given me one kobo. Some of them came from behind and wanted me to give them these records. I told them that my documents are not meant for blackmail, the intention is truth.”

Orogu challenged Governor Sule to tell the people who purchased the property in Apapa, Lagos for a paltry sum as against its real market value.

“Go and ask A.A Sule who bought the property in Apapa that they sold for N80million.

“That property worth billions. The question is, who bought it? I have the records. Nobody can use anybody cheaply in this state because some of us are here and have some of this information.

“And as far as I am concerned, I am not working for anybody. I am working for my conscience, my rights, my belief and my principles”, Orogu narrated.