$2.1bn arms deal: Call Oshiomhole to order, Okonjo-Iweala tells FG

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 attempt to link her to the alleged $2.1 billion arms probe.

In a statement, Wednesday, by Dr Okonjo-Iweala, through her Media Adviser, Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, the former Coordinating minister of the Economy, stated that she ‘has absolutely nothing to do with the issue.’

Okonjo-Iweala said it amounted to ‘an abuse of public office, the judicial process and her human rights for the Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole to make false allegations against her while hiding behind the constitutional immunity granted state governors,’ saying it could only have been on account of having stopped (the governor) from taking a highly suspicious N15 billion loan during her tenure as minister of finance.

“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 state would have found it very difficult to pay back.

“It is unconscionable for the Governor to embark on a campaign of lies against her because she thwarted his dubious loan request,” according to the statement.

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 behaviour 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 honoured at a high profile event attended by Vice President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton. Dr Okonjo Iweala was honoured 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,” read the statement.