Former SOKAPU president Asake speaks on controversy over Gov. Wike’s N200M donation to IDPs

Former National President of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Jonathan Asake has cleared the air on the controversy surrounding the N200 million donated by the River State Governor, Nyesom Wike for the Internally Displaced Persons(IDP) in the state.

Recall that Rivers State Governor Wike while in Kaduna State some months ago to canvass for support ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary, as one of the presidential aspirants donated the sum of N200m for the IDPs in the state through his party.

The donation became controversial as soon as the SOKAPU president indicated interest to contest for governorship under the platform of the Labour Party as some people accused him of ‘cornering’ the money meant for IDPs for his campaign.

Hon. Asake while speaking at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kaduna Secretariat said it was true Nyesom Wike gave N200 million to IDPs.

Asake while explained further, stated: “Out of the money, SOKAPU got N120m, while the sum of N80m was credited to the account of Jamaatul Nasarul Islam (JNI) Kaduna State chapter. The money was given to the religious body because in the northern part of the state they do not have a recognized association like ours.”

He said: “But once they heard I am joining politics, some of them started flying all sorts of things to malign me, that I spent all the money, but it is normal in politics. They also said I am working for APC. That allegation pained me.”

Clarifying the allegation, the former SOKAPU leader noted that when they received their money, they bought assorted grains and other items for the IDPs and distributed them, saying, “we distributed to people irrespective of their religions and tribes.”

He said further: “Everybody who knows me that I will not indulge in such act, so, I just laughed over it. When I am joining politics, l left over N60m in the coffers of SOKAPU.”