Stop this persecution, Okonjo-Iweala yells

Former Minister of Finance, and coordinating minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has said the continued efforts to link her name to the issue of money spent from the Excess Crude Account, is an attempt to tarnish her name and reputation.

Okonjo-Iweala who was reacting to the recent statement issued by the Forum of commissioners of Finance on the $2 billion withdrawal from the ECA called for an end to what she said was persecution.

Read the statement:

We thank the Finance Commissioners for their clarification on the use of the Excess Crude Account (ECA) and for acknowledging that this is not an Okonjo-Iweala issue.

The statement clearly shows that Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) is a statutory body which is chaired by the Hon. Minister of State for Finance in which all the states are represented.

Payments made were used for paying for petroleum subsidies for the Nigerian people and were approved by Mr President.

Read also: Commissioners’ stance deepens mystery of $2bn ECA funds

Therefore there is no question of mismanaging any resources here.

For the avoidance of doubt, at no time did Dr. Okonjo-Iweala say that FAAC approved such expenditures. What she said was that all these expenditures were discussed at FAAC meetings attended by Finance Commissioners from the 36 states.

It is therefore clear that there was no misrepresentation by Dr. Okonjo-Iweala.

The question before us is: why is there such an excessive attempt to batter her name in an attempt to damage her reputation? It is clear as I said in my previous statement that the motive is malicious and very political and therefore will not succeed.

If monies were used to pay for subsidies for the Nigerian people and duly approved, why is Okonjo-Iweala’s name being battered in this way?

This persecution should stop.

Paul C Nwabuikwu

Media Adviser to Dr Okonjo-Iweala

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