Date Published: 03/29/10
Editor,
The Case of Jonathan versus Jonathan
Nigerians woke up Thursday March 25, 2010 to read in many national dailies a full page advertisement placed on behalf of a group called Bayelsa Action Committee for Justice and signed by one Timi Jonathan. The advertisement was titled “Why is EFCC Robbing Sylva to pay Jonathan”. The advertisement reeled out what Nigerians were aware of few years back; a matter of money laundering case involving the then first Lady of Bayelsa State (now acting first lady of Nigeria), Mrs. Patience Jonathan.
The advertisement which renewed that justice must be done in the case, accused Mrs. Farida Waziri of trying to pretend her commitment to the new order by closing-in on Bayelsa State officials on matter of Security Funds; taking advantage of perceived poor relationship between the acting President and Governor Sylva.
Nevertheless, the Bayelsa State government which tried to exonerate itself from the group did not deny that there was no such case against the acting first lady. It did not also say that the case has been disposed of. We all know this fact.
This brings one to the fact that Nigeria is still going down further in corruption when you consider that the Senate has just amended the Constitution to give cover for ex-convicts to contest for elective offices. It is really a pity how this decision has placed our citizens before the outside world; crooks of a nation. We should not blame any country that treats our nationals with disdain because we asked for it.
For acting President Goodluck Jonathan; the only way he can gain back the confidence of Nigerians as far as his fight against corruption is concerned is to instruct the EFCC to handle satisfactorily, the issue of his wife’s involvement in the money laundry case. Anything short of that would dent the image of the present government for sure. He should remember the allegation against him regarding wrong declaration of assets. No lip service should be accepted where corruption is concerned.
Dr. Emmanuel James, Plot 1159 Woji Road, PH |
