Date Published: 06/27/09
N250 MILLION CONCERNS
By Hon Chinedu Opukiri-Nkwonta
Kpomnigeria4ever@|yahoo.co.uk
After the embarrassing news about the capture of some Anambra State government vehicles with loads of Anambra State money loaded in suitcases and heading to the governor’s personal office in Lagos, I was left with nothing but shame and embarrassment for the governor’s sympathisers and admirers. It was like bereavement, I really felt like calling them and extending my condolence, I do understand their predicament. It could have been anyone I have supported in the past or do support at this moment; human beings will always let one down.
I want to use this opportunity to console my brother Mr. Chukwudi Nwokoye and so many others like him that have put their reputation on the line for the likes of Governor Obi, guys we feel you.
The most important thing for us all in this situation shall be the lessons that we learn. It was the monkey that said it can only vie for the child in its womb; the one on her back is on its own.
I, as usual decided to take some time to understand what has really happened, hear all the versions of the story, most impossible and others desperate, make my own investigations and then draw my conclusions.
It is really unfortunate that political jobbers have already gotten themselves job opportunities by churning out unconvincing, intellectually dilapidated and insulting conclusions. What a great shame that my State is in the news again for the wrong reasons.
One fool wrote that it was Dr. Andy Uba that planted the money in the government vehicles. Andy Uba again, damn, now a magician, why did he not plant the money in my vehicle, N250 million.
Another fool wrote that the enemies of Anambra are at it again to destabilise all the good works that the governor has done. The moron suggested that these enemies are doing these to distract the attention of His Excellency in all his good works to his pocket, sorry to Anambra people, what bloody rubbish and insult to my intellectual dignity.
Governor Obi knows where to buy tokumbo vehicles if that is his problem and the tokumbo vehicles that will cost us N250 million must mean that Andy Uba has impounded all the vehicles in the State. Once again, the governor thinks we are only as valuable as tokumbo vehicles.
With my idea of His Excellency, it is impossible for him to release such huge amount of money to anyone (including his wife) even for safe keeping. The truth is that no one would be trusted enough to keep such money for him, simple, that was why it had to move from his office at Awka (governor’s office) to his office in Lagos (trade office).
I have written a few times that Governor Obi does not need any one to push him, he has a magnetic attraction to problems and controversy and I do believe he enjoys it all.
The other side of this story that will happen, most of the fall guys (I do not care if they are his in-laws or associates) would tell their stories with Governor Obi on the entire saga very soon, he will not settle them. If I were involved with him, it is cash and carry time. No one will see any penny after this fiasco. His laundering team were receiving ten thousand naira each per N250 million every month, Governor Obi is the only man entitled to have money.
I have shied away from accusing the governor of financial misappropriation because I never had any evidence but let’s face it, if the governor is not doing anything for the people, where then do the money accruing to the State every month both from the Federal Account (FAC) and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) go to? My opinion is that the incident was a standard monthly ritual that has been on for a while. It was just a routine activity that went wrong this day like in most businesses.
The governor is a renowned smuggler and launderer from his university days and he knows that a bad day in business does not mean the end, the show must go on regardless, N250 million naira is a lot of money by anyone’s standard for the project to be abandoned, I would not if I were him.
The picture is becoming clearer why it is convenient that his deputy is kept at bay as not to know what is happening or ask for her own share, pure greed clinically strategized and executed. Governor Obi wants every one to die of poverty while he keeps the entire money in the world; can some one tell me what wickedness is all about?
The governor would need more money to pursue and subsequently close this matter. This is a clean job opportunity and meal ticket for all the security services for a very long time. Any one of those guys that is broke anytime just needs to call the governor, tell him that the boys are coming in to make some arrests, the governor will settle. N250 million recovered is an exhibit and has to be kept as such, loads of money, Anambra State money shall be expended as to cover up, Anambra State is in trouble.
The more we all try to indict the governor on this matter, the more money it will cost Anambra State. This matter shall cost another N250 million of our commonwealth at least.
Another issue, the N250 million was just the standard amount mapped out to be laundered every month, it does not mean that there are not some more from where that came from for the governor to spend as he likes, Anambra State money. The N250 million is the equivalent of savings made every month by civil servants where certain amount is put aside for the rainy day before other expenses. It does not mean that he does not have some more to deal with his other pressing personal issues, his contractors all over the world have to be paid, trust me; the cool £1 million has nothing to do with that.
God please I want to become a governor, N250 million laundered every month, one billion naira in four months, cool three billion in a year, twelve billion in four years, stupendous wealth, tell me the job that you do and I will tell you how stupid you are.
As crazy as this may sound, a governor can still be the darling of his people if he really utilises what is left for development, our people in all these are not greedy. Ngige mainly gave us roads and every one saw him as a Messiah. As N250 million is being laundered to Lagos, he should have pitied us and invested N250 million in the State every month, we would not have complained. Do we realise the difference N250 million every month will make to the State?
The aspect of all these that I really can not figure out is what he needs the money for. Governor Obi has enough money that will take care of his 10 th generation unborn, why all these? He told us he is stupendously rich and that he was doing us a favour wanting to be our governor, we never doubted him, he was the Chairman of a bank. As little as I am, I am certain that I have more buoyant word robe than Governor Obi, what does he need all these money for? I have N250 million concerns.
There are certain circumstances we put ourselves and one knows that any kind of story to cover up the situation would make more mess but some sycophants that have been out of job are actually pushing this matter to convince some vulnerable minds that it actually never happened, that is really sick. The truth is that some people would read and believe them.
I guess the writers of these trashes would be correct if they say that their family comes first in terms of food on the table, such is the only opportunity to make some money from Governor Obi.
Most of us that are supposed to come together and critically look at where we are as people, unify solidly as to work out solutions are scattered due to ignorance and selfish interests. These guys that we are busy fighting and insulting ourselves for see most as mere charlatans with just nuisance value. Governor Obi would hardly pay any media person a million on this matter, he can launder N250 million of our commonwealth for himself every month, he is the only one that is worthy.
A friend of mine called from Lagos and is still mourning his stupidity, he lives very close to Governor Obi’s office in Lagos and regularly sees these vehicles go in and go out, he never had an idea what the deal was. His lamentation is that he could have ambushed the smugglers no matter their fire power if he had the slightest idea that each trip was worth up to N250 million.
I have sent him a sympathy card but he has sworn such would not happen to him again. He is on one man search of his destiny in all government vehicles even if he is equipped with just stones. He understands the risks but does not mind, the volume of cash they carry is worth the trouble for him. His Pastor is preparing him with some prayers, this will guarantee the pastor his ten percent if my guy comes back alive with any dough. What my friend does not know is that most Nigerians have laid ambush in front of Next International waiting for vehicles; any person that drives in there will be doing that at great risk.
As for me, I cannot wait for the entire saga to end, the stolen money and the thief.
The need for the stock exchange is making more sense; there would not be any need to go all the way to Lagos, Governor Obi, sharp wicked guy.
My people, I am sad but loyal.
