By Sadiq Umar, Abuja.
President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday ordered the immediate release of the forensic audit report of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), even as it dismissed claims that it engaged in last minute looting of the nations resources.
A statement by Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, in Abuja, expressed concern about the allegations of “last minute looting, rushed privatisation” and “hurried recuitment into the public service” levelled against it by the All Progressive Congress (APC), describing it as “most unfortunate and uncharitable.”
The APC had in a statement on accused the Jonathan Administration of sundry allegations including engaging in last minute looting of the nation’s resources rushed privatisation of key institutions, warning that the in-coming Buhari Administration would revisit actions taken by Jonathan since the declaration of the March 28 presidential election results.
President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari had also vowed to revisit the controversial missing $20 dollar oil money from the NNPC account, as alleged by former governor of Nigeria’s Cemtral Bank and Emir of Kano, Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
But the presidency in its statement said: “We have noted with concern, the allegation by the spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed that officials of the Federal Government are engaged in “last minute looting of the nation’s resources, rushed privatization of key institutions and hurried recruitment into the public service”.
“We also consider as most unfortunate and uncharitable, the suggestion by Alhaji Mohammed that the Jonathan Administration is trying to “tie the hands” of the incoming government merely by continuing to discharge its constitutional responsibilities until the end of its tenure.
“The Jonathan Administration which continues to do its best to ensure a smooth and peaceful handover over of power to the President-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, deeply regrets the unfairness and combative frame of mind reflected in Alhaji Mohammed’s statement.
“President Jonathan has done his best in the past five years to discharge his constitutional responsibilities for good governance and effective leadership of the nation.
“Without any prejudice whatsoever to the freedom of the incoming administration to do as it pleases, within the confines of extant laws when it assumes office, the Jonathan Administration will continue to discharge its responsibility to govern until May 29, 2015.
“In continuing to fulfil the obligations of his office however, President Jonathan has not, and will never condone any form of unscrupulous conduct on the part of state officials.
“President Jonathan will also never authorise any attempt to create any problems for the incoming administration as the APC spokesperson, who ought to know that the outcome of the March 28 presidential elections does not imply a cessation of governance, unjustly alleges.
“As Alhaji Mohammed threatened in his statement, the incoming administration will be perfectly within its rights to review all actions of the present government as it may deem fit.
“We see nothing wrong with that. After all, the present Administration reviewed the actions of previous governments on assumption of office with resultant benefits for policy and project implementation.
“President Jonathan is also deeply concerned by the continuing suggestions that his administration still has anything to hide about the unproven allegation that about $20 Billion is unaccounted for by the NNPC during his tenure.
“To lay the matter to rest, President Jonathan in line with Section 7(2) of the NNPC Act, has directed that the full report of the PWC Forensic Audit of the NNPC accounts be released immediately to the public so that all Nigerians will be properly informed on the matter.”
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
April 27, 2015
