By Kola Animasaun
These days, it is difficult to believe what you read; not to believe what you hear.  Take for example: Farida Waziri of EFCC issued a list of those with what the Yoruba would say had ‘comma’ in their characters; in other words, some Nigerians, who had to answer for some charges.

The list emanated from Farida’s office and she got herself enmeshed in controversy.  She was said to have used her head to disturb the nest of the wasp.  Farida thought she was doing the political parties some favour.

She listed some people with their cases, the status of their cases, the money they have allegedly stolen or ‘collected’ for which they  have been dragged to court.

The knives were out.  If Farida said the list was advisory, Ambrose Owuru (HDP) said it should remain so.  “It should not rekindle memories it played during the 2007 Atiku play back.

Farida, however, should not repeat the 2007 episode.  She swore she neither compiled nor sent any advisory list to PDP and other political parties to stop 55 aspirants from contesting elections in 2011.

She said the advisory list is a mischief.  “I know nothing about (it)… I woke up one morning to see people discussing on TV a list said to be written by EFCC.  I called the Operations Department to find out if they submitted any list to the PDP or other political parties but they said no.”

So, Farida did not author a list.  So, who did?

xxxxxxxxxxx
An online news medium, worldtribune.com alleged that the President plans to bribe yet to identify PDP delegates in cash to influence his victory at PDP primaries.

Jonathan said no way.  He would do no such thing.  Not only will he not give a N2 million per delegate, he did not need to pay anyone.  Imo Niboro, his spokesman, says: “Nigerians know the masters of governance by settlement and it is not Jonathan.”

Ohanaeze, the Igbo worldwide organisation, had to refute another bribery allegation.  It was said to have received N250 million to endorse Jonathan.

It spit fire and addressed journalists in Enugu after its apex meeting.  Ralph Uwechue, the President-General, said Jonathan’s endorsement was based on the outcome of over five months consultations embarked upon by the leadership of the organisation.

xxxxxxxxxxx
Meanwhile, N450 million have been raised at the launch of Jonathan’s election.
There were the usual donors who would safeguard their investments.  Except that they did not contribute more than one million naira.  Mike Adenuga of Globacom, Femi Otedola of AP and Jimoh Ibrahim.  Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu was the chief launcher.

President Jonathan paid tributes to “good friend, and a brother and my boss,” the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

The CNPP recalled Obasanjo’s Corporate Nigeria.  It said Obasanjo was responsible for “the sham and most disgraceful elections conducted in 2003 and 2007 rated to be the worst in history of global elections.

“Here they come again – Corporate Nigeria, anti-democratic, gold diggers, a group whose hallmark is the ignoble role of corrupting our electoral process by raising fund for rigging elections in Nigeria since 2003 general elections.

“They are made up of core elite Nigerian businessmen, who, on the eve of 2003 and 2007 sham elections, raised billions for ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and by extension, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

“We have no record like in other democracies where Corporate Nigeria had donated to opposition parties and in this instance, we wait to see Corporate Nigeria extend support to other aspirants.

“The danger of corrupting our electoral process is legion; as our findings show that after the 2003 and 2007 sham elections, members of Corporate Nigeria were rewarded by ex-President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and President Goodluck Jonathan through import waivers, importation of petroleum products, excessive withdrawal of foreign reserve and juicy uncompleted projects.”

Another reputation

Former Defence Minister, General Theophilus Danjuma, is known as a no-nonsense man.  He says it as he feels like.  So, when he says something and he says he has been misquoted, we would have to give it to him.

He was first quoted as backing Nuhu Ribadu in a lecture he gave at the Lagos Country Club.  The title of the lecture was “The Nigeria of my dream.”

During a question and answer session he was asked about corruption and he answered: “I recommend Nuhu Ribadu to you.  He will fight corruption to a standstill.  People must be held accountable.  If not, they will get away with murder literally.

“Corruption has assumed an oceanic proportion in Nigeria…the impunity with which perpetrators get away with corruption is a cause for concern.”

Danjuma said he did not speak about Ribadu in context of 2011 elections in which he (Ribadu) is an aspirant of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.

I believe him.  He would not have meant it.  He is in the Presidential Advisory Council and Daisy (his wife) means to contest on PDP platform in Edo North.