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This Incessant Affront Must Cease By Saliu Iyanda The write-up by Azubuike Ishiekwe on the face of between President Olusegun Obasanjo and vice president Atiku Abubakar is certainly done in a hurry and did not take into cognizance the many sidedsideness of the variegated issues involved in the allegations and counter allegations. The first point to note is that, the writer did not behave as someone who is educated at all. Even if he had collected money from Obasanjo and his media committee, it should have done is write-up, logically and with commonsense and not like banana sellers in Oyingbo market. It is a big disgrace and monumental shame of unimaginable proportions that such a rudderless and spineless character, such as this, is the editor of The Punch. The mere fact he has a column is not a magna carta for spurious writings and myopic journalistic judgments. According to the hatchet writer, the report of the EFCC that indicted Abubakar “is the boldest signal yet that the Obasanjo administration is serious about its war on corruption”. In spite of the desperate attempt made by the president and is kangaroo reports to nail the vice president at all cost, it is explicitly clear that the vice president did not benefit one kobo from the PTDF money rather the money invested in the ETB as brought interest to the fund. The ones in TIB is safe with Spring Bank the new owners of the bank. The vice president has never been indicted for any abuse of power by any competent law court of law. Therefore, any reference in this direction is nothing but an exercise in futility. It a pity that an editor who should be on top of his job and very well informed, did not even bother to clear fully read the vice president’s response before rushing to the press to do his master’s bidding, it is however imperative to underscore the fact that, even though the EFCC purported to be investigating matters involving Congressman Jefferson, as they relate to Nigeria, the report contains almost no reference whatsoever to the said Congressman. The vice president never gave out public funds to secure loans for friends. Globacom has proved beyond all reasonable doubts that it paid for its license eight clear months before the PTDF money was lodged in ETB, besides, in various advertorials in the national dailies, the foremost telecommunications company also explained in graphic details how is sourced for finances to pay for its license. So, what exactly is Azubuike talking about. One thing this commissioned writer has failed to acknowledge is the fact that, the PTDF funds its activities primarily from income earned from investing the money comprised in its fund. Until July 2004, when the president directed that all government ministries, agencies and departments should return their accounts to the Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN), most of the PTDF’S funds were in the custody of several Nigerian commercial banks including, First Bank, Union Bank, City Express Bank, Hallmark Bank, Trade Bank, Platinum Bank, Bank of the North, among others, earning varying sums as interest on these investments. It is the interest income derived from these investments that the PTDF utilizes in funding its various day to day activities. The EFCC, in its report, has sought to portray the investment of funds with ETB and TIB as matters arising out of the ordinary, whereas, the opposite is the case. The PTDF has always engaged in the investment of funds in the normal course of its activities. And, the PTDF funds do not require FEC approval before investing the funds in banks. It has equally been established beyond all reasonable doubt that, any payment to Marine Float account by Otunba Fasawe are all in line with his responsibilities as a principal fundraiser for the PDP and the Obasanjo/Atiku Campaign Organization. Again, the records of all the payments to and from Marine Float are with the EFCC, not one Naira of PTDF funds were paid into Marine Float’s account at any time whatsoever, either directly and indirectly. And, the Marine Float is one of three companies that were placed at the disposal of the PDP and the Obasanjo/Atiku Campaign Organization to receive campaign contributions and donations towards the securing re-election in the presidential elections of 2003. If indeed the EFCC knows that it is telling the truth and it has nothing to hide then, it should publish the statement of accounts of payments and collections from the MOFAS and Marine Float Account, for people to know really who is being economical with the truth. This will enable people to know which people money into the account and who withdrew money from the accounts and for what purpose. There is no doubt whatsoever that the piece by Azubuike is paid for, and there is no iota of truth in the jaundiced report that is only good for the dustbin. Journalists are role models, shaping public opinion for society to be better; hence, members of the fourth estate of the realm should desist from writing thrash all because of pecuniary gains.
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