The Federal Government has given cited for the release of a list of looters under the previous Goodluck Jonathan led-administration.
The list which comprises of key players in the last administration and members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has elicited a lot of reactions from Nigerians with many questioning the motive behind its release. Minister of information, Lai Mohammed told Vanguard in a recent interview that the list was released because ‘they were challenged to do so’.
He said;
“We were challenged to do so. Don’t forget that on their own, the PDP said that they apologised to Nigerians for the way they ran Nigeria aground and we said, yes apology is accepted, but please return the funds.”
“I think one of them challenged us to name those who had stolen money. I think gradually, it is becoming fashionable when you remind PDP that they brought us to this sorry path, they will say stop talking about what we did, please continue with your own. But we cannot move.”
“It is important that Nigerians remember how we got here and the same people who have made no atonement say that they want to come back in 2019 to power. So, it is important for us to remind them. Let me tell you, this government is not in any panic. We are so proud of our achievements that in less than three years, I can stand up and say this is what we have achieved in the area of insecurity, this is what we have achieved in the economy, in the area of ease of doing business….There is no area we have not made our mark.
“We lifted Nigeria from number 165 in the ease of doing business to 145. It is not a mean feat! And we exited recession at a time when the price of crude was low, we were in recession when we implemented the diversification of the economy. It is on record that despite all these challenges that we have not retrenched one person. So, why should we be afraid? Why should we panic? I don’t see any reason why we should panic, I think it is the imagination of people that the government is panicky. No! Do you intend releasing the list of alleged looters in the APC? There is a difference between allegations and established cases. All the cases I have mentioned (alleged PDP looters) are already in court.”
“You see, how many times have people written that Lai Mohammed has billions of dollars? But these are allegations that are just ridiculous. I can assure you that if there is any allegation against any member of this government, this government will investigate it.”
“You see, Nigerians are saying that there is no difference between PDP and APC; that those people who left PDP for APC are being protected? That is what you are saying! It would be unfair to say that everybody that joined APC from PDP is a looter, it would be unfair. I am saying that whether you are of ACN stock or PDP stock or CPC stock and you are found to be corrupt, you will be investigated.”
“They have said, name the looters, and we said these people took money.”
“I am saying that on the 24th of February, Sec….. took N100 million in cash. The then National Financial Secretary took N700 million. These are facts! They said name, and I said these are the people that were reported to have stolen money. So, what is prejudicial about it? Let them go and solve their matters in court, but if you challenge us to name names, we will name names!”
