GEJ & SNG: WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRANSPORT MONEY & BRIBE?

The desperation to remain in office after 2011 has thrown up another controversy surrounding President Jonathan. Late October 2010 there was a ‘wild’ allegation that the President had plans to bribe delegates to his PDP party primaries. He denied it.

When members of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) led by Pastor Tunde Bakare visited President Jonathan on Monday 22nd November 2011, they were bribed $50,000, through the Minister of Niger Delta Ministry, Mr. Orubebe. This was in order to have the group rescind their position not to support Jonathan come 2011 because he has performed below standard.

This news was originally reported by saharareporters but it attracted further comments from president’s aides and the group responded.  Mr. Tony Uranta Uranta through whom the money was returned back to President Jonathan denied it was true.  But obviously angry Pastor Bakare was on Sunday November 28, 2010 was quoted by saharareporters thus:  "You can quote me, I don't do deals and I don't lie. Tony (Uranta), could be saving his own face. Tony lied that he didn't collect the money from us. There are living witnesses. Orubebe has confirmed to me that the money was returned. Mr. President is aware through Oronto Douglas that we returned his money through Tony Uranta." Financial transactions in Nigeria seem conducted in US Dollars for some time now: at one time it was then Jigawa governor (now Senator) changing his State’s N6billion to US Dollars with a view of supporting Obasanjo’s failed third term project; at another it was a State governor changing Naira to $3.4million cash which was intercepted as it was being ferried to Abuja.

President Jonathan has gone against what he preached recently. He called on Nigerians to reject politicians of bread and butter who are lurking the corner to bribe them for their votes.  President Jonathan had been in many double-speaks and double-dealings; a sign of bad leadership.

Commentaries on this continue unabated and we are yet to know where it would lead. If it were to be in a respected democracy, Minister Orubebe should resign and President apologise.

Chief Barnabas Osuanlele, Ikpoba Slope, BENIN, Edo State.