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The desperation to remain in office after
2011 has thrown up another controversy
surrounding President Jonathan. Late October
2010 there was a ‘wild’ allegation that the
President had plans to bribe delegates to
his PDP party primaries. He denied it.
When members of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG)
led by Pastor Tunde Bakare visitedPresident
Jonathan on Monday 22nd November 2011, they
were bribed $50,000, throughthe Minister of
Niger Delta Ministry, Mr. Orubebe. This was
in order to have thegroup rescind their
position not to support Jonathan come 2011
because he hasperformed below standard.This
news was originally reported by
saharareporters but it attracted
furthercomments from president’s aides and
the group responded. Mr. Tony Uranta
Urantathrough whom the money was returned
back to President Jonathan denied it was
true.
But obviously angry Pastor Bakare was on
Sunday November 28, 2010 was quoted
bysaharareporters thus: "You can quote
me, I don't do deals and I don't lie. Tony(Uranta),
could be saving his own face. Tony lied that
he didn't collect the moneyfrom us. There
are living witnesses. Orubebe has confirmed
to me that the money wasreturned. Mr.
President is aware through Oronto Douglas
that we returned his moneythrough Tony
Uranta." Financial transactions in Nigeria
seem conducted in US Dollar for some time
now: at one time it was then Jigawa governor
(now Senator) changinghis State’s N6billion
to US Dollars with a view of supporting
Obasanjo’s failedthird term project; at
another it was a State governor hanging
Naira to $3.4million cash which was
intercepted as it was being ferried to
Abuja.
President Jonathan has gone against what he
preached recently. He called on Nigerians to
reject politicians of bread and butter who
are lurking the corner tobribe them for
their votes. President Jonathan had
been in many double-speaks anddouble-dealings;
a sign of bad leadership.
Commentaries on this continue unabated and
we are yet to know where it would lead.
If it were to be in a respected democracy,
Minister Orubebe should resign and President
apologise.
Chief Barnabas Osuanlele,
Ikpoba Slope,
BENIN,
Edo State
barnabasosuanlele@yahoo.com
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