Former Minister of Finance and Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala has denied media reports that quoted her as indicting Nigeria’s former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan over lack of political will to save for Nigeria.
In her rebuttal signed by her Media aide, Paul Nwabuikwu, Dr. Okonjo Iweala explained that recent media reports have distorted comments made by her regarding how lack of political will negatively impacted national savings over the past few years.
According to the statement, it was impossible for Dr Okonjo-Iweala to indict the Jonathan administration in which she served.
Providing clarification, the statement read as follows; “Rather, she was referring to what many Nigerians already know: the strong opposition by some governors to the Jonathan government’s efforts to save in the Excess Crude Account and the Sovereign Wealth Fund sabotaged this important national priority.
“The governors’ criticism of Dr Okonjo-Iweala’s many calls for the country to save for the rainy day are still fresh in the minds of Nigerians.
“It will be recalled that this opposition culminated in the Governors taking the Jonathan government to the Supreme Court in furtherance of their position that the Federal Government had no right to “compel” them to save.
“Several knowledgeable persons including former Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi have confirmed these facts.
“So the issue of Okonjo-Iweala indicting the Jonathan administration over this very public issue simply does not arise.”
The former minister called on the the media to always consult for clarification whenever the need arises.
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