What do you think is Really Going On Between Obasanjo And Okonjo-Iweala

OPINION: Between Obasanjo And Okonjo-Iweala

Editor’s note: Sadiq Abubakar in a piece in the Daily Post examines the way the former finance minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been criticised by the former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. In his bid to discountenance the remarks by OBJ, Sadiq takes a walk down memory lane, looking critically at how the ex-minister came into an appointment, her conduct and operations while on active service.

OBJ forgot that it was him who recommended Okonjo-Iweala to Jonathan

The continuous bashing of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, continues with Olusegun Obasanjo joining the fray in his interview with Premium Times. What is shocking is not whether the former minister is innocent or not; the issue is the inaccuracies contained in the latest attacks on her and other actors by the ex president.

Okonjo-Iweala may have her weaknesses, as all the humans are bound to have, but it is wrong to write off her extensive positive contributions to this nation, both under Obasanjo and Jonathan. Under Obasanjo Iweala was no doubt a great minister who spearheaded Nigeria’s debt relief and plus with minus, she also did well in the last administration. At least Nigerians know that the oil sector was not under her care.

What is more annoying is the failure of the former president to say the truth about how Iweala joined Jonathan’s cabinet after the 2011 polls. The fact known to many insiders is that Chief Obasanjo indeed recommended Iweala to Jonathan. His proposal then was that Ngozi possessed the credential to revive some of the reforms which he (Obasanjo) put in place, but which were dismantled by late president Umaru Yar’Adua.

Jonathan accepted the nomination and on the strength of the former president’s recommendation, Iweala was given prominent roles to play. Chief Obasanjo should have opened up further to tell Nigerians at what point he parted ways with his goddaughter. Those in the know will tell you that the refusal of Iweala to rise against former president Jonathan was responsible for the rift. Chief Obasanjo had expected all his godsons and goddaughters to support him in his attacks on GEJ. Iweala refused and that is what caused the disagreement between her and Baba.

The misinterpretations by the ex president are simply stunning

The inaccuracies in the interview are not just about the ex minister; the case of Chief Emeka Offor is another point in question needing correction. Most Nigerians are aware that the “controversial” Turn Around Maintenance of Port Harcourt refinery was awarded to the Chrome Consortium put together with some Romanian companies before the Obasanjo presidency.

At the conclusion of the project, certificates of completion representing different components of the turnaround maintenance were issued. The certificates were dated between July 25, 1999, and October 31, 2000, and duly endorsed by the NNPC directors responsible for the project, as well as the representatives of Shell. All these certificates were duly issued during Baba’s presidency. And they are also in public domain.

How can the former leader now turned round to accuse Chrome of not doing a job for which certificates of completion was duly issued by his government? Is it also not unfair to now attempt to hold Chrome responsible for the state of the Port Harcourt refinery for a job completed as early as the year 2000? So is the father of the nation indicting himself, or merely playing his usual game of twisting the facts?

It is ridiculous that the former leader also said he could not do anything to Offor because he has police and people around him. How can a president claimed incapacity to touch a citizen because he has police and people? The fact is the president was aware that Offor’s firm has done the job he was given to do and so could not have been harassed in any way.

Why did Obasanjo say things like that?

Those who know the former leader very well are quick to say that the purpose of the interview was to seek attention. Chief Obasanjo like to be in the spotlight all the time. And it does not matter at whose expense or whose name he falsely drag into the mud to stir controversy.

Whatever anybody may say about Iweala, she has made her mark as a finance minister that introduced far-reaching reforms in Nigeria’s public life. Even after office, her reform initiatives stand firmly as is evident in the single treasury account, integrated payroll systems, GDP rebasing, sovereign wealth fund, among others.

For those who enjoyed this sadistic conduct of destroying notable national figures, we pray the Otta farmer will not soon turn his gun against the new president, Muhammadu Buhari, who is widely acclaimed to be the man of integrity. For the reading public, may be it is time we choose what to read and what to believe.