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Nigeria's former President Goodluck Jonathan days ago held a "strictly private meeting" with some members of his cabinet in a bid to defend his integrity following recent reports indicting him of corruption, THE NATION reports.
About 15 former ministers (including two who were recalled from London) and some former security chiefs attended.
However, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is central to the allegations against Jonathan, was absent.
Reports said the session was “a frank and fact-finding” against the backdrop of plans by the Buhari administration to probe Jonathan’s tenure.
“The ex-President confided in the meeting that he was worried that the gains of his administration were being washed away daily by the allegations of corruption being reeled out by the government.
“He said he called the session to set the records straight and get facts because his administration was not enjoying any benefit of doubt among Nigerians, especially the media.
“At a point, Jonathan, in an emotional manner told the meeting that ‘I am not a thief in office as being portrayed.”
It's believed the former President asked all the ex-ministers to “brace for the probe ahead and keep their records intact to reply Buhari’s administration on issues being raised.
“The ex-ministers unanimously agreed that there were better sides of Jonathan’s administration than being painted as a tenure of graft," someone who attended the meeting said.
“The key ministries, such as Works, Finance, Health, Aviation, Education and even Petroleum Resources were mandated to produce lists of achievements.
“Some of the ex-ministers lamented that the Permanent Secretaries proving to Buhari as holier-than-thou were part of the Jonathan administration and they even made input into the handover notes.”
Another person at the meeting said “Jonathan and the ex-ministers admitted that the administration might have some issues to clear in the management of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
“But they said the situation was not as bad in the oil sector as being alleged.”
A third person said: “I think we should expect some fireworks in the next few days. The meeting resolved to reach out to the public in the same equal weight the allegations of corruption will be released by the Buhari administration.
“But there was a word of caution that any response must not be abusive. The President personally appointed a former Minister of National Planning, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman, to sign any statement on cabinet issues.
THe Nation
About 15 former ministers (including two who were recalled from London) and some former security chiefs attended.
However, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is central to the allegations against Jonathan, was absent.
Reports said the session was “a frank and fact-finding” against the backdrop of plans by the Buhari administration to probe Jonathan’s tenure.
“The ex-President confided in the meeting that he was worried that the gains of his administration were being washed away daily by the allegations of corruption being reeled out by the government.
“He said he called the session to set the records straight and get facts because his administration was not enjoying any benefit of doubt among Nigerians, especially the media.
“At a point, Jonathan, in an emotional manner told the meeting that ‘I am not a thief in office as being portrayed.”
It's believed the former President asked all the ex-ministers to “brace for the probe ahead and keep their records intact to reply Buhari’s administration on issues being raised.
“The ex-ministers unanimously agreed that there were better sides of Jonathan’s administration than being painted as a tenure of graft," someone who attended the meeting said.
“The key ministries, such as Works, Finance, Health, Aviation, Education and even Petroleum Resources were mandated to produce lists of achievements.
“Some of the ex-ministers lamented that the Permanent Secretaries proving to Buhari as holier-than-thou were part of the Jonathan administration and they even made input into the handover notes.”
Another person at the meeting said “Jonathan and the ex-ministers admitted that the administration might have some issues to clear in the management of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
“But they said the situation was not as bad in the oil sector as being alleged.”
A third person said: “I think we should expect some fireworks in the next few days. The meeting resolved to reach out to the public in the same equal weight the allegations of corruption will be released by the Buhari administration.
“But there was a word of caution that any response must not be abusive. The President personally appointed a former Minister of National Planning, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman, to sign any statement on cabinet issues.
THe Nation