People’s Democratic Party chieftain, Prince Buruji Kashamu has picked holes in the claim by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that he is a wanted criminal in the United Kingdom and United States.
Kashamu said in a statement released on Sunday that he was indeed a political godson to Obasanjo and that the former President introduced him to a number of prominent Nigerians as his ally.
Obasanjo in his letter to Jonathan had called Kashamu a “shameless criminal”. Some excerpts from the letter are as follows:
” I believe strongly that a united and strong PDP at all costs is in the best interest of Nigeria. In these respects, if our interests and views coincide, together we will march. Putting a certified unashamed criminal wanted abroad to face justice and who has greatly contributed to corruption within the judiciary on a high profile of politics as you and your aides have done with the man you enthrone as PDP Zonal leader in the South-West is the height of disservice to this country politically and height of insult to the people of South-West in general and members of PDP in that zone in particular. For me, my politics goes with principles and morality and I will not be a party to highly profiling criminals in politics, not to say one would be my zonal leader. It destroys what PDP stands for from its inception. By the government not acting positively and promptly in the case of Buruji Kashamu wanted in the US for drug trafficking and money laundering crimes, it is only confirming the persistent reports of complicity or involvement of high-level political figures in drug trafficking and condonation of the crime for political benefit.”
Kashamu’s response is as follows:
“I am not ashamed to say ex-President Obasanjo was my adopted political father and I was also his adopted political godson.
“I was one of his foot soldiers and partners. We planned and executed many things together. When it was convenient for him, I was his right hand man.”
“Chief Obasanjo denied introducing me to the presidency. But can he deny that we wined and dined together in the past? Can he deny knowledge of my closeness to his daughter, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, especially during the events leading to the 2011 general election?
“Can he deny that he introduced me to some leaders of the PDP in the South West, such as the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade; his Agric counterpart, Dr Adesina Akinwunmi; and Mr Segun Oni, among others, as his political son in whom he was well pleased?
“Can he deny that he introduced me to the former acting chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje and other officials of the PDP-led Federal Government during the events leading to the 2011 general election, especially as it relates to Ogun Sate and my role in the whole scenario?
“Can he deny that he openly praised me to high heavens at various public fora and rallies, including during the reception I organised for the former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye? Why is it that it is now that he is calling me names and blaming the presidency for condoning me?”
Kashamu has said he will take legal action against Obasanjo for the claims and said the former President was harassing him because he hijacked the political structure of the PDP in the South West away from him.
He exonerated himself of the charges saying “the truth is that I have not committed any offence and nobody has ever requested for my extradition. If there is anything to the contrary, I challenge Obasanjo and his cronies to produce it or forever remain silent.”
“Even when they have refused to see or hear; I yet refer them to the INTERPOL report which exonerated me of any wrongdoing, both locally and internationally.
“It is dated March 4, 2008. The INTERPOL, in the six-page report signed by ACP Haruna H. Mshelia for the Commissioner of Police (INTERPOL), particularly at Clause XI says contrary to the allegation, the suspect was not found to have engaged in fraudulent/clandestine activities, as all records were checked both locally and internationally and all our probes were returned negative. The suspect was never declared wanted or convicted either in Nigeria or anywhere in the world.’”