PDP Delegate Donates N13m From National Convention Cash Haul To Orphans

The Kaduna politician has earned praise after showing his love to his community from a large stash of money he received from presidential hopefuls at the recently concluded national convention of the opposition People’s Democratic Party.

Tanko Rossi Sabo, from the Sanga Local Government Area, told the Peoples Gazette he donated the money to his people because he felt they needed it more.

“I have donated about N13 million to help educate about 150 orphans, cover hospital bills for some elderly people and other donations,” Mr Sabo told The Gazette by phone on Wednesday night. “I am happy to help my people with the fruits of what I have gathered at the Abuja Congress.”

Mr. Sabo was among nearly 800 delegates from across the country certified to attend the PDP special assembly on May 29 that saw Atiku Abubakar become the party’s presidential nominee. It was widely reported that the exercise was roughly monetized by Mr Abubakar, his main challenger Nyesom Wike and 10 other contenders.

He told The Gazette he was being relentlessly courted by numerous aspirants, some of whom offered him hotel accommodation at inflated prices.

“As soon as I arrived in Abuja, some of the aspirants started calling me and some of them gave me N400,000 or N500,000 to stay in any hotel of my choice,” Mr Sabo said. “But I slept in my car instead of looking for a luxurious place to sleep.”

Mr Sabo said the aspirants had been generous with their cash gifts, but added that he was able to return to his constituency with so much money because he was disciplined and strict with his spending during the Congress.

“I’d rather eat noodles and paprika soup than dine at the Hilton for more than N20,000 a plate,” said Mr Sabo, adding that his supporters have praised his thoughtful manner.

Asked whether or not he could be questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for issuing cash received from delegates, an act that is not necessarily illegal but morally reprehensible, Mr Sabo said he had no concerns or apologies for making good on the promise he made to his electorate for the national delegate.

“I’m not afraid of the EFCC because I spent the money raised on my people,” he said. “Will EFCC tell me I haven’t done well paying school fees for orphans and hospital bills for elderly people who have no livelihood?”