PTDF: OBASANJO VS ATIKU.

President Olusegun Obasanjo


Vice-President Atiku Abubakar

I usually don't like talking about politics. In Nigeria, it's a dirty game. When there are so many beautiful, cheerful things to talk about, why politics? But then I've realised that so many of you, especially those in the diaspora yearn to know what's happening in the Nigerian politics. So I've decided to digress a little today and talk the most controversial topic in the Nigerian political/government arena. The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF)

Nigeria's President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo accused our Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of misusing the funds in the PTDF account which was directly under the VP's care.

After all the accusations and counter accusations, the Economic and Financial Crime Commision (EFCC), led by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, questioned Atiku, only for the latter to go to court and contest the allegations labelled against him. He went further by pointing out so many 'atrocities' he claimed the president had committed, including the misuse of power and buying cars for his girlfriends. (Lame right?). I must say here that all I heard Atiku say is "I'm guilty, but so is Obasanjo"

Anyway, to cut the long story short, President Obasanjo took the case to the senate, where a seven man Ad hoc committee, led by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, was set up to investigate the allegations. And after several weeks on a fact finding mission, the committee on monday Tuesday March 1st found the Vice-President guilty of misuse of power and mismanagement of the PTDF's funds. The committee said Atiku aided and abetted the placement of $145 million belonging to the PTDF in banks.. They added that the money which was meant for specific projects was fraudulently given out as loans to companies.

The loans given out:
1. 130 billion naira to Netlink Digital Television (NDTV)
2. 430 million naira to Mofas Shipping Company Limited
3. 300 million naira to Transvari Services Limited
All of this loans are yet to be recovered by the federal government.

The committee recommended that the Vp be penalised for the offences and all the companies and individuals that benefitted from the loans be made to refund the money.

Atiku's response to the report was "A partisan political hatchet job, that would not stand the test of public scrutiny". He called everyone to reject the finding. I hear you sir!

Meanwhile, the committee also found Obasanjo and the federal executive council guilty of allegedly using PTDF money for projects not covered within the law establishing the fund. Was he penalised? NO!

I'm not happy with the way things are going in Nigeria. The way the rich are getting richer and the poor poorer. The same people who have proven themselves untrust-worthy are the same people who are coming out for elections, hoping to rule us. Where are the decent, God-fearing and honest men?

I hope at the end of the day justice, fairness and equity will prevail in this PTDF drama. And may confused and greedy men not disrupt the peace of our beloved nation. Amen!