Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has hit back at former Minister of Finance and coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, describing her as “incompetent” to manage the economy of Nigeria entrusted under her care by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
This is the latest in a war of words between the duo over the controversial $2.1 billion arms procurement deal for which many highly-placed political figures have been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Security (DSS).
Oshiomhole had thrown the first salvo, questioning the role Dr. Okonjo-Iweala played in the deal in her capacity as the Finance minister.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala had replied the governor, declaring that Oshiomhole was “after her” for denying a N15 billion loan request by him that her office felt would leave the Edo state economy in a bad state if approved.
But in a swift reply, the governor through his Special Adviser on Media, Kassim Afegbua accused the former Minister of parrying issues.
The governor’s statement: “She should be ashamed to even state that she denied Edo people infrastructure loan, when she could not redeem what was due to the state. Would there have been need for loan request if she was truly in firm control of the economy under her watch?
“Is it not ridiculous that the former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy pretends to be ignorant of the sleaze and primitive looting of the nation’s treasury under her watch? Does it not prick the conscience of Okonjo-Iweala that so much financial improprieties were perpetrated right before her nose and yet wants to be celebrated as a super Minister? Does she want to absolve herself of the abysmal performance of the economy under her watch during the Jonathan years?
“From the revelations so far and the manner in which our resources were plundered in the last administration, it is crystal clear that Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was grossly incompetent to manage the nation’s economy especially on account of the huge sums of money running into billions of dollars that were stolen under her watch. Such incompetence will be further complicated if it is assumed that she looked away while some people helped themselves to the nation’s treasury. Either way, she is complicit.
“We have no doubt in our mind that, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, from all indications, has shown a remarkable attributes of a voodoo economist and one who rather than answer very simple questions by way of clarifications, easily condescend to base sentiments to divert attention. She has numerous questions to answer with respect to the management of our collective patrimony. What manner of a Finance Minister will allow huge sums of money to be withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria with whimsical stroke, dealing with individuals in a way that eliminate the usual control that should be the hallmark of such body? How can a World Bank former Managing Director allow such conduct right under her watch without raising concerns?
“Those organizations which have been trying to dash her awards must as a matter procedure carry out due diligence to properly score her, else, one would have cause to suspect that such awards may have been procured. Anyone giving her award will be doing Nigeria and Nigerians a great disservice in the face of on-going investigations and revelations that have exposed the rotten underbelly of the Okonjo-Iweala years. In the meantime, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole awaits the letter from Okonjo-Iweala’s lawyers, but she should be reminded that public officers are accountable to the people and should be ready to answer questions on their role while in office or out of it.”