GOODLUCK JONATHAN: FIRE DIEZANI ALISON-MADUEKE IMMEDIATELY OR RESIGN!!!
At the very root of the insecurity threatening to consume Nigeria today, is one single matter – CORRUPTION!!! While there are many manifestations of this hydra-headed monster, any decisive action against corruption MUST be launched against it from the source, namely the petroleum sector, which is the nation’s leading revenue generator.
Before we proceed further, here are a few quick facts and corresponding questions:
1. Some of Nigeria’s most prolific oil assets were recently renewed by Petroleum Minister Architect Diezani Alison-Madueke in favour of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited for an undisclosed amount (reportedly millions of dollars). This approval disregarded superior bids from competing Chinese companies which offered billions of dollars. This development clearly contradicts Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s vow when he assumed the Presidency in May 2010, that ALL transactions during his tenure would be transparent. QUESTION: IN THIS ERA OF FISCAL PRUDENCE GLOBALLY, WHY WERE THE SUPERIOR BIDS FROM THE CHINESE COMPANIES DISCOUNTENANCED?
2. After much speculation, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN) revealed that Petroleum Minister Architect Diezani Alison-Madueke personally approved a settlement between her former employer (i.e. Shell Petroleum) and Agip Oil on one hand; and Malabu Oil on the other hand, with respect to the contentious OPL 245. Thereafter, in what must be one of the most scandalous actions in Nigeria’s history, US$ 1.1 billion dollars was brazenly funneled through the nation’s hallowed Federation Account to several third party beneficiaries including Malabu Oil.
In other words, Nigeria’s Federation Account was used for money laundering. Incidentally, one of the beneficiaries – Malabu Oil – is owned by a convicted money launderer, namely former Petroleum Minister Chief Dan Etete. POSERS: (2.1) PRESIDENT JONATHAN MUST EXPLAIN WHY NIGERIA’S FEDERATION ACCOUNT WAS USED FOR MONEY LAUNDERING. (2.2) WHY WAS THIS TRANSACTION, UNPRECEDENTED IN ITS ILLEGALITY, HURRIEDLY EFFECTED BEFORE THE RESUMPTION OF FINANCE MINISTER DR. NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA? (2.3) BESIDES PAYING MALABU US$ 1.1 BILLION, HOW MUCH DID SHELL AND AGIP PAY TO THE FEDERATION ACCOUNT FOR THE BENEFIT OF NIGERIA AND NIGERIANS, AS CONSIDERATION FOR OPL 245?
3. Though the menace of illegal bunkering been happening over the years, during Petroleum Minister Architect Diezani Alison-Madueke’s tenure, this criminal enterprise has become (second only to the Boko Haram insurgency) the greatest enemy of Nigeria’s security. Indeed, a senior Federal Government official recently confirmed to “Financial Times of London” that at least 400,000 barrels per day of Nigeria’s premium light sweet crude oil, are carted away, effectively draining the nation’s treasury to the tune of US$ 1.2 billion monthly or over US$ 14 billion annually!!! QUESTION: BESIDES MOUTHING PLATITUDES AND ESTABLISHING INEFFECTIVE COMMITTEES, WHAT DECISIVE ACTION(S) HAS PRESIDENT JONATHAN TAKEN TO HALT THIS EQUIVALENT OF A FISCAL ATOMIC BOMB?
4. Sequel to a painstaking forensic audit, commissioned by the Federal Government, the Aigbojie Aig-Imokhuede Committee Investigating Fuel Subsidy Payments has established prima facie cases evidencing how several companies defrauded Nigeria’s Treasury of over 1 trillion Naira between 2010 and 2012. POSER: NIGERIANS AND THE WHOLE WORLD ARE WATCHING WHETHER THE INDICTED COMPANIES WILL SIMPLY BE TOLD TO REFUND STOLEN MONIES OR ALSO PROSECUTED, CONSIDERING PRESIDENT JONATHAN’S DEADLINE OF 5 PM FRIDAY 13TH JULY 2012 FOR THE ALLEGED CULPRITS TO EITHER CLEAR THEMSELVES OR FACE CERTAIN PROSECUTION!!!
While one may give President Jonathan the benefit of doubt as to his complicity in the above listed scandals, Petroleum Minister Architect Diezani Alison-Madueke CANNOT and MUST NOT escape responsibility since she is invariably implicated, either by deliberate action, commission, omission or dereliction of duty. Whatever the case may be, she ought to resign IMMEDIATELY or else face prompt dismissal by President Jonathan. If former National Security Adviser General Owoye Andrew Azazi and former Defence Minister Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed could be sacrificed for incompetence in their respective national assignments, why not Petroleum Minister Architect Diezani Alison-Madueke whose stewardship of this most critical sector has recorded such grave infractions?
Therefore, I call on all well meaning Nigerians to IMMEDIATELY launch a campaign to directly pressure President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to IMMEDIATELY dismiss and prosecute Petroleum Minister Architect Diezani Alison-Madueke. Otherwise, President Jonathan should himself resign from the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
After sacking Diezani Alison-Madueke, President Jonathan should appoint a globally acclaimed professional to champion the much-need reforms in Nigeria’s petroleum industry. Witness the impressive transformation agenda which Dr. Adewunmi Adesina and Dr. Okonjo-Iweala are driving in the Agriculture Industry and Finance Sector/Economy respectively.
To personally register support for the reform of Nigeria’s petroleum industry (through the removal of Petroleum Minister Architect Diezani Alison-Madueke) ALL Nigerians should reach President Jonathan as follows:
- Call Presidential Villa Switchboard Number +234 (0) 9 625 3000 or +234 (0) 9 625 4000;
- Call President Jonathan’s Media Adviser Dr. Reuben Abati on +234 (0) 803 400 4249 or +234 (0) 805 400 4249;
- Translate this document into Nigerian languages (e.g. Ibo, Hausa, Yoruba, Ijaw, etc) and circulate same widely on Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Once all those who have plundered Nigeria’s resources are held accountable, starting with the thieves in the petroleum sector, we would have commenced the reclamation of Nigeria.
LONG LIVE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA!!!
Written By Conscience Nation
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