February 13, 2015 – There are alleged plans to use the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)to embarrass the former Minister of Information Labaran Maku in order to stop him from emerging as Governor of Nasarawa State.
This followed a meeting between Chieftains of PDP in Nasarawa State and an official of the Presidency from the North who is worried that Nasarawa State might go to a Christian in the next election.
In a statement by Director General Presidential Support Team, Dr. Emmanuel Adeoye, an officer from the North who is very close to the EFCC Chairman Lamorde met with a chieftain of PDP from Nasarawa recently and they decided that the only way to stop Maku from winning was to use the EFCC embarrass him.
He added that details of the plan revealed that Maku would be picked up under trumped up charges with organised media publicity to turn voters in Nasarawa against him.
“PDP Chiefs in Nasarawa are worried that in just one month Maku has virtually taken over the state from them. Another reason to embarrass Maku in is to turn away attention from the reported cases PDP flag bearer Yukio Agabi has with both the EFCC and the ICPC over cases of corruption when he was Director of Finance and Admin in the Federal Ministry of Health and Niger Delta Affairs. Maku’s clean record of service is his major selling point in the Governorship contest in Nasarawa State”, Adeoye said.
According to him, the plot to embarrass Maku started with false stories planted in the social media claiming the Former Information Minister accused President Jonathan of Sponsoring Boko Haram.
“Another story planted in the media against Maku alleged that he regretted serving in President Jonathan’s government. All these stories planted against Maku in the media in the last two weeks were to set the Presidency against him preparatory to the planned à EFCC arrest. Maku is reputed as one of the Ministers that served with honour and integrity.
“He is up against forces that insist Nasarawa State can never be ruled by a Christian. These forces who schemed him out of the PDP Governorship primaries are the ones plotting to use the EFCC to embarrass the former Minister of Information.
“They have nothing tangible on him, but all they want is to use the EFCC to cause public embarrassment through the media. They will then use it to weaken Maku’s popularity in Governorship April 11, 2015 Governorship race in Nasarawa State”, he said.
