A former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman, has reminded Nigerians that former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke also worked for former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umar Yar’adua.
He said while insisting that Diezani was already in public service and was retained by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Sulieman stated that although Diezani has weighty allegations hanging around her neck, she might have committed some wrongdoings under previous governments.
”I cannot speak for Diezani. You must know that Jonathan inherited her from (Olusegun) Obasanjo and (Umaru) Yar’Adua’s governments. She has not spoken on most of these allegations”, he said.
“She has not appeared before any court of law to defend herself, so it would be unfair on my own side to speak on whether she is guilty or not. Yes, the revelation is shocking and worrisome, but it will be unfair for me as an intellectual and a Muslim to now pass blame on whether she is right or wrong.
”One thing you must know is that Diezani was never a poor person before she came to government. She worked with Shell Petroleum. She was in money before she came on board as a minister to the best of my knowledge.
”So, to just make a sweeping condemnation, believing that everything forfeited or identified as Diezani’s property or assets are ill-gotten, I do not think that is fair enough. But the revelations are worrisome, mind-boggling. It took a lot of people by surprise, including me but again, we should still give her the benefit of the doubt.”
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