Sahara Reporters yesterday published a report
they got from Business Council for Africa (BCA) claiming that Petroleum
Minister, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been denied asylum by six countries
where she had so far applied. The report claimed she's looking for a country to
run to before Gen. Buhari takes over as president because she's scared she
might be probed or jailed.
But reacting , Alison-Madueke, through the Group
Public Affairs GM of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mr. Ohi
Alegbe, said there's absolutely nothing of such happening. She said she has no
intentions of either seeking asylum anywhere in the world or even relocating
from Nigeria.
No fewer than six
countries have already refused to grant an asylum request by the Minister of
Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, the Business Council for
Africa (BCA) said in its just-released monthly report, noting that about US$ 1
trillion is the latest estimated figure of the looting of the Nigerian treasury
between 1960 and 2005 alone.
“Given her
reputation, it comes as no surprise to learn that 6 countries have already
refused to grant her asylum to live in their countries as she now wishes to
leave Nigeria at the earliest possible opportunity,” it said.
BCA recalled
President-elect Muhammadu Buhari lamenting that the rest of the world looks at
Nigeria as the home of corruption, one where stealing is not corruption but a
way of life, and that his administration will pursue all public offices and individuals
who are believed to be guilty of corruption.
It observed that
despite an earlier promise, it is now understood that Buhari’s anti-corruption
fishing net will include Ministers currently serving under President Goodluck
Jonathan. Alison-Madueke’s departure
from Nigeria is likely to be followed by several other PDP elders, party
members and supporters as well as some former Government officials, as Buhari's
anti-corruption drive will be far-reaching.
“It will be very
interesting to learn in the coming months exactly how far back in Nigeria's
history his administration will go in the pursuance of those who have robbed
Nigeria of US$ 1 trillion, which is the latest estimated figure of theft from
the Nigerian treasury between the period 1960-2005. Given that President
Jonathan's administration is considered the most corrupt of any of its
predecessors, that figure is going to be considerably magnified, but whether
the new President will wish to pursue former Heads of State is a matter of interest
and considerable debate to Nigerian observers. It is this subject that is
primarily responsible for Buhari's success in winning the election as well as
his campaign promises to eradicate Boko Haram, revive the economy and rebuild
Nigeria to make its position as the number one country in Africa.
While BCA agreed
that the March/April 2015 were “the most credible elections in Nigeria's
history”, it said they could not be called the most incorruptible.
On the contrary,
it referred to them as the worst because of the amount of money that the PDP so
freely and openly spent on trying to secure the re-election of Mr. Jonathan.
“The stories and
reports from throughout the 36 States of the amount of money distributed by the
PDP to elders, rulers, church leaders, unions and youth leaders amongst others
in an endeavour to favour the voters towards the PDP has backfired badly,” the
report said.
BCA said that if
the 2011 elections were considered bad, the 2015 elections will undoubtedly go
down as the most corrupt in Nigeria's history, certainly since 1999, as the
amount of money being distributed as bribes primarily by the PDP so very openly
would readily confirm.
It reported that
since November when campaigning began, President Jonathan and General Buhari
during their travels made no fewer than 109 promises of what they intend to
achieve if given the mandate in the presidential election.
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