Hadi Sirika, the minister of aviation, says the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) has the financial strength to influence and win next year’s general elections in the country.
Mr Sirika, who was captured boasting in a video clip trending on social media on Friday, said the party will deploy all at its arsenal to ensure it retains power.
“Whether they proceed to Busi to defeat Sirika or Kahun to defeat Aminu Bello Masari, it is impossible,” the minister, standing behind a podium with Transcorp Hilton inscription, said on Thursday. “And I swear, we shall see if it is achievable. Of course, the general election is approaching. Therefore, we shall involve money and other resources, and we have it all.”
Mr Sirika said they were in possession of funds which will be used for vote buying and rigging of the next year’s exercise beginning on February.
“Money? I swear, we have it all. I swear we have the money and all. We have the money. I swear we have the money to get the job done,” he stated.
In a bid to curb the influence of funds in the coming general elections, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced the redesigning of Naira, the country’s currency, urging Nigerians to return to old notes, which cease to become legal tender next year January 31, to banks.
The apex bank also directed financial institutions which have began the disbursement of the new notes yesterday to limit withdrawal of funds to N100,000 and N500,000 weekly for individuals and cooperate bodies respectively.
At the event where he addressed the audience who cheered him, the minister did not explained how they intend to source for the new naira notes which will be used to influence the elections.
