From IHEANACHO NWOSU, Abuja
The House of Representatives yesterday waded into the ongoing war of words between the Federal Government and the former minister of education, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili over the latter’s allegation that the administration of the late Umaru Yar’Adua and President Goodluck Jonathan squandered $45 billion foreign reserves.
The House mandated its committees on Finance as well as Appropiration to begin investigation into the allegation and counter allegation by the former minister and the Federal Government. Ezekwesili, immediate past vice president of the World Bank where the foreign reserves were kept, had, at the convocation lecture of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, alleged that the Yar’Adua regime and the current administration mismanaged what was left in the foreign reserves by former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
She alleged that the squandering of $45 billion in foreign reserves account and another $22 billion in Excess Crude Account being direct savings from increased earnings from oil that the Obasanjo administration handed over to the successor government in 2007 had worsened poverty in the country. The Federal Government, through the Minister of Infrmation, Mr. Labaran Maku fired back immediately, challenging Ezekwesili to account for billions of naira that were allocated to her ministry when she was in charge of education.
He denied that the Federal Government tinkered with foreign reserves. Similarly President Jonathan’s aide on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe branded Ezekwesili a liar. Speaking to newsmen Okupe said: “I regret to say that Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili should show dignity and character by letting the Nigerian people, whom she sort out to fool, to know the source of her figures otherwise, she should be honourable enough to retract her statement and apologize to the government and people of Nigeria.”
The House in adopting a motion sponsored by Umar Bature (PDP, Sokoto) said the matter was too weighty to be swept under the carpet. Defending his motion, Bature said the House needed to conduct the investigation because, according to him, Ezekwesili as former special adviser to the president on public procurement and former World Bank vice president was in a position to know the status of the nation’s foreign reserves at the time in question.
He faulted the resort to abuse of the woman by aides of the Federal Government, arguing that the allegation does not call for such reaction. Bature said the nation would gain from the House investigating the matter. He said: “We are representing the people of this country and the issue being discussed has to do with their resources, we cannot afford to allow it to be swept under the carpet.”
Other lawmakers supported Bature saying the issue was too important to be ignored. Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal referred the matter to the committees on Finance and Appropriation for investigation.
Akukor ! Na todayy..
As far as am concerned, Oby Ezekwesili is woman of substance and impeccable pedigree. This Government is corrupt and support corruption at all levels. The call for probe is ok but the out come is doubtful and worrisome. Oby is too refined to talk without caution, the abusive words from GEJ boys is sign of cowardice and pure madness of power drunken monsters. Simply put, Oby is right or let GEJ boy disprove it with facts not ranting. Oleee ni, welee
WHERE WAS SHE WHEN OBJ SQUANDERED 17B DOLLARS ON POWER–CAN SHE CALL FOR A PROBE OF OBJ AS OIL MINISTER-WAS SHE NOT OUT SELLING SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN 9JA-THE IBOS ARE ALL OUT TO SUPPORT THE FORMER GAL FRIEND OF OBJ-SHA
Story story, story. Once upon a time……….. What happen 2 the report on fuel subsidy? Abeg, I wan sleep.
3. NATIONAL AND STATE ASSEMBLIES
The National and Northern State Assemblies now have a responsibility to summon the President and Northern Governers to account for 67 billion dollars and 9.2 trillion Naira respectively. They are organs of government whose function is to ensure financial and fiscal responsibility failing which they stand equally indicted in the eyes of Nigerians.
If these President and Governors fail to account, impeachment proceedings against them should be commenced without delay.
It’s okay except that news of investigation of problems in Nigeria no longer excites because nothing eventually comes out of the exercise. The question is, what if Oby is right in her allegation what is going to be done different from our experiences in the past? That in deed is my worry even as I commend the House decision to wade into the matter
Mr. Labaran Maku fired back immediately, challenging Ezekwesili to account for billions of naira that were allocated to her ministry when she was in charge of education. so he know she misuses money and keep quietly until she tell nigerians how the government damaged our reserve, Ezekwsili we support you. second time truth come out from hero like you in nigeria after Dora Ekuyili on yaradua issue. with peopel like you nigeria will survive.
to
Umar Bature and Aminu Tambuwal, continue the investigation because some of senators that abuse her are criminal in security unit.
#yawns#
Let’s hope something positive comes out of this.
D sponsor of d motion 2 cause investigation & d acceptance of d House 2 do same are quite welcome ideas. But what happens afterward? No doubt, more money will still b wasted as nothing tangible will come out of d said enquiry. And in d event of anything, still no suspect will face trial, & when an accussed does, still no culprit will really b purnished. That’s Nigeria 4u! When are we going 2 ripe in this country?
Labaran Maku is also alleging dat Oby mismanaged her former ministry fund. My question is; if that be true, why kept mute before now. Why must it be now dat d woman has xposed d govt dat Maku suddenly remembers dat Oby also mismanaged. Bundle of idiots.
The house is invescating some one what happen to their member farucu is he not y not pesecut he you are thiefs
The house is invescating some one what happen to their member farucu is he not y not pesecut he you are all thiefs
The house is invescating some one what happen to their member farucu is he not a thief y not pesecut he you are all thiefs
Forget the probe. No bi today. After the probe wht next? The issue is dead. I do nt blame okupe and minister of info. cos they must defend their master. Oby is a woman of integrity, she knew what she wz saying. As past president of W.Bank she must be able to know at least 50% of what we hv in the reserve and how the govt uses it. The issue I know wil on pages of papers. Lets watch and see. Where are farouk, otteh, fuel subsidy etc may God help us
THESE SO CALLED LAWMAKERS ARE ALL CORRUPT . THEY ARE ONLY FIGHTING 4 THERE POCKET.
I waz very hapi 2 b in her lecture on 24 Jan. 2013 titled- the wealth and poverty of a nation: who shall restore d dignity of nigeria? On dat day, when She ask d graduans who shal restore d dignity of nigeria, we al affirmed ‘I’. Now, wit dis executive attack on her, how can d dignity of nigeria be restord? Is nt beta 4 executive 2 honorably accept their mismanagment nd bring out d remaing ‘ego’ 4 d wel being of nigerians cos i knw dat a woman of international heavy weight financially cant talk recklesly.
The senate now wants to investigate the matter so that their share of the money will get to them. When ever they want to figth for what have not passed through them, they will term it that they are figthing for the people they are representing. only to keep mute when eventually they get their share. I have told you people that you guys should stop decieving your selfs thinking we are ignorant of your aims and objectives in the countries governance.
Kudos to mrs Ezekwesili at least for the first time all Nigerians now know the type of government we have, and I hope this will not be swept under the rug
Ada Ukpor, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili please do watch your back always. we can’t avoid to loose you now. this is Nigeria were justice is not value.
Akuko she is lieing. Let her bring her own loot and obj’s loot first she is just jealous because this government favoured her colouge Ngozi iweala but did not favour her. Nigerian politicains get saint ? If she is a saint as she is claiming why didn’t she change nigeria during her own days in government. No past leader of nigeria is suposed to be advising this administration they are all failures
OBY, PLEASE BE CAREFUL, COS THEY ARE AFRIAD NOW, KNOWING FULLY WELL THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO PROOF WHAT U HAVE SAID ABT THEM. SO THEY WILL DO ANYTHING TO SHUT YOU UP. EITHER TRU PLANE CRASH, ASSASINATION OR KIDNAP. PLS YOU ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO NIGERIA, BE VERY CAREFUL.
Benson, go and ask you brother Joanathan, Oby was called to serve under Jona but she refused because she knows that Jonathan can not perform, go and check this fact.
@ Benson, u r de highest mumu Nigeria has ever produced. Even a day old baby knows that they even squandered more than dat…..though am not sayin ezekwesiri is a saint.
Oby, be careful for many has gone bc of their good deeds. They will not allow u to rest untill ur mouth is shut. Nigerians believed u but who will prosecute the govt if no the govt. We appreciate u but wii appreciate u more when u are alive to be more valuable to us.
In as much as I believe that Oby, a woman of integrity and of International standard, may not be that naive as to use her words so carelessly, I strongly surpport the resolve of the House to wade into the matter and investigate the allegations. Forget the outrageous rantings of the President’s hatchet men(Labaran Maku and Dr. Doyin Okupe) against Oby. They are just doing their job. They must be seen to be justifying their pay, at least by the president. It’s going to be their words against Oby’s. Nigerians are watching and waiting.
Ngo ezekwesili should go and sit down,bcs she is nt in uncle jo cabinet datz y she is talking any how
Please Ekene, with all due respects, we cannot trivialize certain issues of serious and urgent national importance. Remember, Oby, could’ve exploited so many options – befriend Dame Pat sycophantly, bribe Tony to fix-it, etc. She’s simply a decent woman with dignity, we must encourage her actions.
Please Mrs. Eze just spare me this trash. Don’t worry you will be recognized come 2015 then we all will know your stand. How innocent are you madam?
House members we always support your position go ahead even if they don’t act on your probe reports continue piling them up one day be one day monkey go go market en no go come back. Persons like Oby Ezekwesili, El- Rufia, Malam RIBADU they don’t just talk of what they are not sure of. As for people like Okupe and Labaran what do you expect they have sold their being to corruption.
Thank u Oby 4 letting us know the state of things at least. My concern is that why cant anyone be honest enough, to tell true when they are in power. 4get about the House setting a Kangaroo Panel to investigate what, thief to investigate thief. GEJ boys will be planning 4 you now, behold God will save u.
Oby may soon have egg in her face. She doesn’t seem to understand how foreign reserve account works – a whole former minister and VP world bank for that matter! I am no apostle of present government, but if currently Nigeria has over $45 billion in her foreign reserve, how come she claim $67 billion has been squandered? $67-$45 isn’t $22 billion?
Assuming she understand the format of reserve account statement, she’ll realize that $22 billion excess crude is a balancing item in reserve account and still part of $45 billion she and OBJ left and still the well over $45 billion currently in foreign reserve. No wonder world bank refuse to renew her contract!
Teacher her. Great teacher.
Me think that the woman have been looking for away to come to limelight again. so she choose the UNN graduation day. Why dropping this bombshell that will consume her now. and what does she actually want.
Yarduna is dead. How can they investigate the dead man.
The funny thing is that the House of Reps are always interested to voice out so the populance will think they are helping them. But they are looters and corrupt politicians who only want to finish nigeria.
Oby, I cherished your courage. Federal govt should tackle corruption now. After all uncle GEJ said Nigerians shall sing his praises in 2013. Please sir, January is gone and eleven months remaining sir.
What oby said may be true or false,i want to hear from okonjo iweala&sanusi either to prove her right or wrong. GEJ’s men cannot conviniently talk on this issue bcs it does not fall in their portfolio as to respond very well.We are waiting for more lights.
We shall see how this will also end.Somebody called to tell me that Mrs Oby Ezekwesiri is talking from Obasanjo’s pulpit but I immediately answered no to him, I will follow the matter and even when I will be out from the country on some issues, I will still contact home to monitor the sweet story.
It is not a matter of handing over to Finance Committee, it is a matter of disclosing the outcome of their investigation to the public. Our lawmakers are all seeking for notice so that the loot may reach them or being used to cage the Presidence on one demand or the other. We have had enough of there investigations, what is the result of the former speaker’s loot, what of the ongoing Police Pension Fund ………?May God help us in this country.
we
we havwill not go by them.
Can we talk another thing please? Same people, same ways, same sin, same old coverups.
Oby is a drowning woman, no wonder the world bank did renew her contract. parochially n myopically
Considering OBY’s pedigree, as well as a key figure with the world bank, she will be the last person to fool Nigerians. She must have done her home work before she opened up. Verbal attacks by agent of the fed Govt doesn’t portray us as a serious minded people.This ladys courage must be commended because a person who is clean can not reveal such a high profile information to the public. The House of Reps probe is timely, if it is not going to be business as usual.
My fellow commentators,oby is right no matter how u view the comment she made, because she has been there in the bank and has been advising them not to spent heavily on white elephant projects like expensive cars,profilgancy houses.beside those who said she could have done some things when she was in office.u people refuse to note that she was not the principal head(president) during that time.and she can’t do any thing as a person in her position,therefore, she can’t speak up for the people and if she does, they will sacked her.even u yourselves can’t do it
OBY IS TOO INTELIGENT TO SAY THIS TYPE OF THING WITHOUT PROOF. SHE WAS AND STILL AN INSIDER. CALLING HER NAMES WILL NOT ABSOLVE THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DAY RATHER GOVT SHOULD PROVE HER WRONG BY ACCEPTING THE OFFER OF AN OPEN DEBATE WHICH WILL BE AIRED THROUGH NATIONAL TVs.
The National Assembly should be aware that the issue of the DEAD subsidy probe is still fresh in the mind of Nigerians & the report of this alleged foreign reserve squander against the Federal govt should be made public after investigation.
God will help Nigeria. Why are some idiotic minds here attacking this honorable woman. She did it right but we can see how much a question has angered the animals around the presidency in defense instandy of clarification. Madam truly I know Government will blackmail you and make people see you as politically motivated without looking at the merit/ help you want to render to the poor Nigerian masses. In this past of the world called Nigeria. Good things are not wanted and now Mr. President has made himself the only good man who shall dear speak .
Madam. Be still. God shall fight for you. As for Jonathan and is defenders. One day begins a story and one day ends the story. One day we shall all be free.
PLEASE READES HER STATEMENT WAS POLITICAL. SHE IS NURSING HER AMBITION FOR 2015 ELECTION
She has no moral right to accuse this govrenment of profligacy when the one she served in wasted the more resources that came their way which by far out weighed the total income accrued from independence till date put together.Yet there was no single policy Oby formulated or her principal and sponsor Aremu Ebora Obj put in place.for welfare of the so called poor that she is advocating for.If she has laid a ggod foundation during her ministerial time there would have been a positive impact within the education sector which she seemed to cry for. Please hold your peace,Oby.We know who is pushing you.
Mrs oby should also be probe for alleged misappropriation of over 400billion naira within 7 months and the federal government should also be probe for squandering 67 billion dollars plz reps carry on with this work.its very important
What did she say about the billions wasted on power during the 8 years of the obj regime? We Nigerians are so fickle minded that we easily forget such bastardisation of our resources. And those criminal NASS members, why have they not made any comment or passed a motion to investigate the judge that gave the pension thief a 750K waiver after putting millions of elderly people in abject misery & poverty? In my opinion, it is an opportunity to reconcile and let the people know what’s really going on. But at the same time we also need to reconcile the spend on power & roads during the 8 years of obj, period.
Reps should be converted to Efcc or the police as professional probers. They are very irresponsible .they leave their primary assignment and face oversight function for private gains. They should start from themselves as they are the most corrupt institution in the world.
There are three sides to story, your side, my side and the truth. Now lets rt the truth
If any idiot wants to rise up against Oby for saying things as it was, that means that person or group no longer wants the unity of this Nation for heaven will fall. She said what she knew about the economy of the country and how the money is being used to feed irrelevant people at the corridor of power.
SAME WILL STILL BE THE CASE AT THE LAST END………! IT NO LONGER THRILLS. OBY MAY BE RIGHT IN WHAT SHE SAID BUT WHO KNOWS……EVEN IT IS VERYY CONSPIQOUSE AND APPARENT BECAUSE THE INTERRUPTION CAME IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT EVEN WAITING TO ,MAKE SOME COMFIRMATORY MOVES ON HER STATEMENT………. SO SHE MIGHT BE RIGHT
Labaran Maku and Dr. Doyin Okupe, are just two unfortunate attack dogs who don’t understand their work and official ethics, but rather busy firing from all sides of their unprincipled mouths. They think they’ve to defend the President’s reputation irrespective and as a result, must be – fools of office. Get your master prepared for Oby’s fire-brand intellectual discourse, if GEJ would ever be bold enough to accepther debate. Shameless goats!
WHERE WAS SHE WHEN OBJ SQUANDERED 17B DOLLARS ON POWER–CAN SHE CALL FOR A PROBE OF OBJ AS OIL MINISTER-WAS SHE NOT OUT SELLING SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN 9JA-THE IBOS ARE ALL OUT TO SUPPORT THE FORMER GAL FRIEND OF OBJ-SHA
I WONDER WHY OKONJO IWUALA AND SANISU KEEP QUIT ON THIS MATTER.
There is no transperiency in Nigerian government, every body in all the levels of governance have something to cover, even 99% of our response here are one sided , government with integrity and transperiency fears no crictics, no body should jurdge the former minister , let the government exonerate themselves by publishing the foreing reserve details covering the said period, one thing we should pray for is misunderstanding between this big wigs in the government, that will atliest give the nation an insight to what they are doing. This is just the becoming…..God is at work.
I strongly feel that the presidency has a case to answer here and this is vividly illustrated in the decision to resort to counter accusation, for such is the technique employed by the guilty.
Okupe God in heaven will judge u for tellen the woman (ekwesiri) to apologise to nigerians. Is today u no that the money belongs to all of us. Mr president, govns, mnsts, nas & the politicians why r u suffering the poors. A looted money is like a blood money useless bf God & man. I no the lady is right bt notin wl happen.
All a dem babylon! them thief and lick, later dem leak. once maku is out of office, im leak his own too
Dr Obi has no moral justification to castigate the profligacy of Ya’radua / GEJ administration. Some of us are living witnesses to how she brazenly used her friends and cronies under the guise of providing consultancy services for services that could have provided by civil servant to siphone huge funds appropriated to the education sector during her tenure. It’s a case of pot calling kettle black.
Probe my foot. What happened to the fuel subsidy probe where Bamanga Tukur and Arisekola’s son were been indicted. has it not been swept under the carpet. Now another case of corruption has sprang up and the so called house of rep is clamouring for probe. Who is probing who? are you guys not part of the corruption saga. If you are truly representing Nigerians, one of you should sponsor a bill that will stipulate a death penalty for any body that is involved in corruption. It happened in China and they are better of for it. Nigeria will hail thee.
They are all the same.
If her message is true, without hesitation let her proceed to the law court and file a suit against the federal government of Nigeria, for accountability purposes. I do not doubt her claims, but her sincerity and honesty over this is quite suspicious. Hence, I challenge her to go to court!
oby as far as i know has no justifications to say that any body squandered anything in govment more than they the Obj boys and girls who were more corrupt than the ones now with Jonathan except Akunyelu at least by our assessment today.