A glimpse into the lobbying for ministerial positions in the President Bola Tinubu-led administration has emerged with an All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate in the last election and oil magnate, Jack Tien Rich, allegedly paying the dollar equivalent of N500 million to get a juicy position in the anticipated cabinet.
It was gathered that Rich, owner of Belema Oil, paid the amount to Tinubu’s chief of staff, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, the immediate past House of Representatives Speaker in order to be appointed the petroleum minister.
It was learnt that he hopes to get the oil lifting license.
The deal was brokered by Gbajabiamila’s brother, Deolu, in Lagos at the popular Federal Palace Hotel on Sunday, after which Rich flew to Abuja.
Tinubu is expected to unveil his ministerial list in the first week of July when the Senate resumes after a recess.
Although, it is yet to be established whether the chief of staff approached the oil magnate or vice versa, Rich had in the buildup to the 2023 polls, donated one billion Naira to Tinibu, it was gathered.
A source who had insight on the deal, revealed that Rich went to the meeting with Deolu with the Dollar equivalent of the N500 million.
The source said, “On Sunday morning traveled with N500 million in Dollar equivalent to Abuja to bribe the chief of staff to the president Femi Gbajabiamila for a ministerial position.
“Jack Rich had the Dollar equivalent of N500 million which was the negotiated amount in cash with him inside the Max Air 9am flight from Lagos to Abuja.
Deolu, younger brother of Gbajabiamila brokered the deal at the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos.”
The source further revealed, “Jack Rich, gave Bola Tinubu N1billion during the campaign and wants a concrete assurance of a ministerial position. He wants the petroleum ministry where he hopes to get the oil lifting license. It is not immediately known if the cash would get to Gbajabiamila or end up in the pocket of his brother.
“He has not been paying Belema oil staff salaries but he prefers buying his way and squandering money looking for political favor. He was building a Hospital in Daura to please Buhari. They lied to him in the villa he would get the APC Presidential ticket.
“He paid most of the cabal and was announcing to friends and families that he is the anointed President in waiting after Buhari. He lost out during the APC Presidential Primary election and didn’t get any votes.”
Efforts made to reach Jack Rich, Femi Gbajabiamila or a spokesperson for Belema oil were futile.