A former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has described a recent report by an online news medium and some other media that she handed over a “dossier of corrupt deals” perpetrated by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to President Muhammadu Buhari as completely false and without foundation.
The Media Adviser to the former minister, Paul Nwabuikwu, in a statement
on Sunday, described the report as a sponsored lie, adding that it was
part of the political attack by “the pay masters of the media houses
against Okonjo-Iweala.” These attacks, according to the statement, would
continue given that the individuals are bent on a political and
personal vendetta against Okonjo-Iweala.
“Why are they angry? It is simply because she tried to bring integrity
and transparency to the management of Nigeria’s public finances which
obviously did not suit their interests. The news medium, which has a
long history of publishing falsehoods and distortions against
Okonjo-Iweala, is a paid tool of these individuals. But the lies of the
online newspaper and its cohorts will never stop Okonjo-Iweala from
loving her country or make her regret serving it, not once but twice. As
always, we are confident that the truth shall prevail,” she added.
Sahara Reporters had earlier alleged that Okonjo-Iweala, had handed
President Muhammadu Buhari a list of corrupt deals approved by Goodluck
Jonathan. The online news medium had alleged: “Okonjo-Iweala, has stated
that former President Jonathan asked her to withdraw more than $1.2
billion from the excess crude account. In an attempt to curry favour
with the new government, Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala recently directed officials
of her polling agency, NOI Polls, to give President Buhari a 70 per cent
approval rating among Nigerians.”
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