Former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has requested the
Federal Government to call Edo State Governor, Mr Adams Oshiomhole to
order over the Governor’s recent efforts to link her name to the alleged
$2.1 billion arms issue.
The Minister stressed that she has absolutely nothing to do with the issue.
She stated that it is an abuse of public office, the judicial process and
her human rights for Governor Oshiomhole whom she stopped from taking a
highly suspicious N15 billion loan to make false allegations against her
while hiding behind the constitutional immunity granted state governors.
As recently confirmed by the Debt Management Office, professional analysis
showed that Oshiomhole’s loan request which was based on using low
interest World Bank loan to offset high interest commercial loans would
have left Edo state with a heavy debt burden and the the state would have
found it very difficult to pay back.
She said that it is unconscionable for the Governor to embark on a
campaign of lies against her because she thwarted his dubious loan
request.
She described the Governor’s unsubstantiated allegations as a cynical
personalization of the anti-corruption campaign to achieve ignoble
objectives.
Dr Okonjo-Iweala therefore put Oshiomhole and his ilk on notice that she
has briefed her lawyers and that she is ready to explore all legal means,
local and international, to defend her name against corrupt and
compromised persons.
It has become a pattern of behavior that each time Dr. Ngozi OKonjo-Iweala
is internationally recognized, Governor Oshiomole and his cohorts embark
on a cynical and devious ploy of trying to pull her down locally. Just
last night, December 1st, Dr Okonjo-Iweala was honored at a high profile
event attended by Vice President Joe Biden and former President Bill
Clinton. Dr Okonjo Iweala was honored alongside Michael Bloomberg, Bill
and Melinda Gates and Mo Ibrahim for their contributions to global
development and humanity.
Gov Oshiomole and his cohorts should realize that their ill-motivated
attempts to taint Dr Okonjo Iweala’s reputation will never succeed!