Jonathan inherited Diezani from Obasanjo — Ex-minister, says Stella Oduah, Andrew Yakubu removed from office for corrupt practices

Former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman has said that his former boss, Jonathan inherited Deizani Alison-Madueke from (Olusegun) Obasanjo and (Umaru) Yar’Adua’s governments.

Prof. Suleiman also said Jonathan did his best in fighting corruption, by removing Stella Oduah and Andrew Yakubu from office.

In an interview with the PUNCH, Suleiman said though the revelations about Deizani’s level of corruption is shocking and worrisome stressed that she was never a poor person before coming into government.

“One thing you must know is that Diezani was never a poor person before she came to government. She worked with Shell Petroleum. She was in money before she came on board as a minister to the best of my knowledge.

“So, to just make a sweeping condemnation, believing that everything forfeited or identified as Diezani’s property or assets are ill-gotten, I do not think that is fair enough.

“But the revelations are worrisome, mind-boggling. It took a lot of people by surprise, including me but again, we should still give her the benefit of the doubt.

“I am insisting that Jonathan’s government did its best for Nigerians. It is a government that showed great love, care and presented many opportunities for Nigerians. It might not have been perfect and no human system is perfect.

“Because of some imperfections, therefore, you could identify some of the officials who are also Nigerians. You can allege certain things against them because of their level of imperfection.

“The former Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Andrew Yakubu, for instance, was removed by Jonathan. Why was he removed? When he was removed, where did he go to? Which party did he work for? He worked for the All Progressives Congress.

“Some officials that were perceived to be corrupt, Jonathan removed them, including the then Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah.

“Some governors that belonged to the same PDP were being tried under Jonathan. I am not saying some officials were not corrupt. But the fact that some officials were corrupt does not mean that Jonathan was corrupt” he said.