Diezani: I stepped on big toes with reform… but I never committed any crime
Diezani Alison-Madueke, minister of petroleum resources, says she has not committed any crime and is not seeking asylum, even though she stepped on big toes during her tenure.
Fielding questions from the media in Abuja on Wednesday, Alison-Madueke — probably the most criticised minister under President Goodluck Jonathan — said her recent meeting with Abdulsalami Abubakar, former head of state, had nothing to do with speculations that she was looking for “soft landing” from the in-coming administration.
She said: “I have not sought such assistance because I am not aware that I have been indicted of any crime that I will need a soft landing. Over the last four years, I have been severally and unfortunately accused and labelled in so many malicious and vindictive ways. I have explained these things and pushed back robustly on these accusations and I have even gone to court on many of them. Yet they keep being regurgitated.
“I think it is unfortunate, particularly when we are moving into a transition period and looking forward to an incoming government which is coming to take over where we have ended. For everything that has a beginning there is an end and that is not a surprise. What is the surprise is the sort of malevolence bothering on personal malicious libel to my person during this period of time.
“I do believe that I have done the best for Nigeria in this job and I have attained many firsts in the history of oil and gas especially in the reforms that we have done. In this period of time, I have stepped on many big toes, particularly the toes of the cabals that were in the industry when we came in.
“I have said severally that we will open up the industry to all Nigerians, and we have, but that is not to the pleasure of certain cabals. And I have been continuously maligned because of this. We have taken millions and in fact billions of dollars out of the hands of multinationals and their subcontractors and put them in the hands of Nigerians through the Nigerian Content. Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians have come into the oil and gas industry because of our reforms.
“Quite frankly, I think as unprecedented as it is, it does not please everybody and that cannot be helped but let us remember the unprecedented reforms that have happened in the oil industry during our time, such as major gas reforms, the Petroleum Industry Bill, which has been completely revised, reformed and put into the hands of members of the National Assembly where it has languished for two years.”
She also spoke on the alleged missing funds from the coffers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as well as allegations of wasteful spending by her.
According to her, some of the allegations were made because of the reforms contained in the PIB.
She said: “In that bill are all the reforms needed to tear NNPC apart, make it a National Oil company, an equity share company through transparency, accountability and responsibility and reduce corruption in the industry. We did all theses and we put them in place to reduce corruption, so for me to be tagged with various tags of corruption, $10 million jet purchases, who buys jet for $10 million dollars for goodness sake?
“And $20 billion missing money for which PWC had done a report and the $1.48 billion which is not missing, which is actually money transferred by the NNPC to NPDC which is a subsidiary and NPDC has actually started making payments under my directives. I have said during our time that there are gaps in the NNPC and I said that openly.
“But I can also say that at no time in Nigerian history in the oil and gas has the NNPC been as open and audited as it is today. It has been positioned to go forward in the industry. It is true that the revenue profile is not sustainable. But we have done our best and the Nigerian oil and gas sector is today in a better shape than it has ever been in terms of achievements that we have recorded.
“So let me state it clearly for the records that Nigeria is my country and I am not going anywhere. I love my country and I do think that I have done the best for my country and I would also like to point these malicious, malevolence, vindictive libels need to stop.
“We have done enough for this industry, we cannot please everybody. Yes, we have stepped on toes but we did that in the best interest of Nigeria and we have opened up the oil and gas industry to all Nigerians, thousands of Nigerians have benefitted from our reforms in the system.”
Alison-Madueke, who rose to the position of director in Shell Nigeria, was appointed minister of transportation (now divided into works, transport and aviation) by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2007.
She was later moved to the ministry of solid minerals, before Jonathan appointed her minister of petroleum.
Along with late Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, who served as minister of health from 1985 to 1993, Alison-Madueke is the longest serving minister in Nigeria’s history.
Well done Madam! We do not live a banana republic and if any individual or group feels that they have anything against you, the courts are there to sort that out. You will get the chance to clear yourself of all these malicious attacks. Yes it is no surprise that you and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala have been singled out for these attacks because as they say in Nigeria ‘the two of you – lionesses put san san for the cabals milk’. That’s why they are fighting back – remember Arunma Oteh said that she learned from her Nigerian experience that when you fight corruption, corruption fights back. Dora Akunyili faced the same thing. If you ever get to read this (I reckon you don’t read Nigerian papers for obvious reasons), I say to you chin up and don’t relent in fighting corruption even now that you will be outside government for a while. APC (just like her medical synonym of a drug) will soon expire and fall like pack of cards. You are still very young and who knows, I think you have got what it takes to rule this country. We are looking up to you and Ngozi to be the first woman President Nigeria will produce. God wants to destroy APC and that’s why He has allowed them this opportunity which they are not in any way prepared to carry the responsibilities that come with it.
Who Eva u are sorry 4 people like u, hiding under ethnic or eva sentiment 2 wish Nigerians bad thru d incoming administration bt mind u d evil plan leave wit u and u will nt escape it bcos it could happen 2 ur relation. God bless Nigeria.
He spoke the truth, why are you so bitter? These women are being criticized because they are just women. If you have proofs of their wrong doings, simply state it and bring it to the fore or take your inclinations out of here aboki!
I don’t agree with you.i am not convinced that Okojo-Iweala and Diezani are capable of ruling this country.madam finance had not done well to stabilize the economy.there are wastage of resources that our foreign reserved had reduced drastically.i thought her experience in the world bank should have been plus but it is a disappointment.
On Diezani,she was accused of so many things.she was accused of reckless spending,purchase of Jet at exorbitant price etc.she was invited by legislators to the house to explain her side,instead of appearing to explain her own side of story,she rushed down to court to stop the house from investigating.For me,it was not good step.she should have submitted herself for investigation and clear herself if her cupboards are clean.Because of that decision,it will take a longer time before Nigerians will rest on it..On whether APC will perform,PDP has ruled this country without appreciable progress.let APC rule for 16years and then we can judge alright..I don’t know what you call yourself.you have allowed your ethnic bias to override your sense of judgment
Let me be the 1st to comment, I think we don’t want to hear her achievements, she should park well and be ready to give account of how she spent her ministerial appointment. Shikena
When did accountability become a part of governance in Nigeria, Kdj? Eh, I know everything starts in a day but you see eh we too in the south-south have worn our tribalistic cap. Oh! Didn’t know how much it fits till now.
It is natural she gives herself accolades otherwise how would one place the parable of the lizard which says it would applaud itself after falling off from the rooftop if no one else does applaud it. Anyway, the whole story is for another day and Madam Petroleum should be fully prepared
Obasanjo was president and petroleum minister who was not answerable to the national assembly and the Nigerian people for almost eight years, we the people if Niger Delta understands what’s going on.
You can’t be lawyer and judge in case. Lets prosperity judge.
I’m sure you mean, “let POSTERITY judge…
Nigeria is a great country, blessed with natural resources and the greatest thing that can reveal the truth is time. Diezani boldly point out her positve contributions and effort towards ensuring a better and sustainable environment in the petroleum industry. There are people who will frustrate your effort and there are people who have conditioned their mind to see only the negative side of people. The good work that you’ve done will definitely speak for itself. I will say to the young journalist, it is required that a steward be found faithful, so believe in your country and be faithful in what you do. God bless Nigeria.
When you declare all your assets as a civil servant, then we can know whether you have not committed any crime. And for those who are not suffering from amnesia, we can still recall the report on “Last Minutes Oil Deal that Cost Nigeria Dear” published in the June 12, 2011 edition of NEXT on Sunday.
As Gerard Guedegbe, chairman of the FAIR Awards, declared Peter Nkanga and Idris Akinbajo, the African Investigative Reporters of the Year for their joint work, entitled “Last Minutes Oil Deal that Cost Nigeria Dear” published in the June 12, 2011 edition of NEXT on Sunday, a resounding applause filled the Moyo Zoo Lake Park, the venue of the ceremony.
The duo’s work taken from a six-part series courageously uncovered the clandestine practices perpetrated in Nigeria’s oil industry involving the petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and senior government officials, who discreetly and unilaterally hijacked the oil industry for themselves by assigning prospecting rights on several oil blocks worth billions of dollars to handpicked individuals, contrary to prevailing laws.
“An excellent, thorough investigation into an important issue. This is an exceptional piece of journalism,” the judges said of the report. They further decried the situation where President Goodluck Jonathan, despite detailed overwhelming evidence as presented in Messrs. Nkanga and Akinbajo’s investigation, still went ahead to return Mrs Alison-Madueke to his cabinet as petroleum minister. “In most countries, this article would cost the minister her job, if not her freedom. Nigeria’s Next newspaper and website did a great job here.”
when an allegation is leveled against you, it is important to clear your name. All that Diezani has to do is to clear her name. As for those of you who are for or against her, beware. She could be good, she could be bad, seek the truth before u conclude. Good day.
it is not for you to tell Nigerians that you committed no crime, when your boss’s tenure ends come May 29th, you shall give account of your stewardship….if you have done all you say have, I believe your work will speak for you but if the rumors of the extent of corruption and rot under you are true, my prayer for you will be the highest maximum prison
Madam should just honestly and publicly declare her (before and after) assets to shame her detractors.
Nigeria is a beautiful country, with an abandoned resources to go round & benefits all, PDP or APC, let’s restructure the nation & change the entire methods of sharing, all the brahaha wld banished, to be a Minister of Petroleum isn’t an easy task, certainly u’ll step on toes of (Cabals) internal & external, what’s disturbing me is the sentiment, while we are all Nigerian irrespective of tribe & religion, let’s just disperse & give all opportunity to aspire, & make Abj & Government service less attractive, Government has no Bussness in bussness! keep going Madam Mr Minister, infact i’ll happy if u’ll buld ur Refinery in Katsina, Jos, Minna
‘Poor’ Diezani. The enfant terrible spitting fire.
After may 29 2015 the chicken will surely come house to roost Therefore M Madueke has many question to answer to the incoming administration,and should be ready.The same minister abscond both the senate and the house invitation .She was right there is always begin and end in everything.Those Cabal also in hot soup.The chicken will surely come house to roost in the country very soon.
D propaganda is 2 much agst Dezeani I beg! No one said dey’ll probe her but pple r instgating probe.As she said”who buys a p.jet 4 $10m” ?.Naija ppple stop being malicious n vindictive. Aah!!!
Let leave tribal sentiments basie us and face reality. The so call allegation against her if its true has it touch the life of you and your family. Let now imagine that she was found to have embezzled 30mllion dollars and she returned the money. The money is now share among Nigerians including you and members of you immediate family.which scenerio will you prefer.
TheCable, keep editing and taking off parts of my comment you hear. As you people said we will not sleep I won’t stop calling you out. If you like post my comment but i’m glad you get to read it. That’s the point.
It’s very unfortunate that you are blind to the truth! Why didn’s she appear before the national assembly when she was summoned to clear herself? Obviously,all her hidden acts will soon be revealed. You’d better erase it in your mind, the woman(Madueke) and Okonjo can never be elected as Nigeria’s president,though they may be elected president in your side there.
I don’t think we can all be fooled all the time! Had it been Madueke’s hands are clean,she would have appeared before the national assembly when she was summoned to clear the air on the allegation leveled against her. Obviously, all what is hidden will soon be revealed.
It’s such a pity how Nigerians have left substance to chase shadows. The political echelon has created a serious distraction for Nigerians to suit their evil ways. A fight has been pitched among those that are supposed to watch them with clear mind so instead of watching the activities of the ruling powers they will be busy fighting their biases and taking sides. By the time you all wake up from your biases and nepotism I pray that you still have a nation to call your own. Politicians are not good no matter who is involved. We must watch them as politicians to make sure that Nigerians are not short changed. Wake up and drop all biases and nepotism for a true libration of this nation from evil politicians both in PDP and APC
Madam has been explicit with her achievements & reforms. What does she have to say about d flamboyant lifestyle of her son on d internent ? Did d boy win a $400Million lotto or his lifestyle was brought by happenstance ? Any explanation ?
How could you step on big toes, no matter how big, when you were busy flying on jets which costs surpassed 10 states budgets? That nursery rhyme sounds like a panic outcry!
Lukman was petroleum minister for how long? Buhari was petroleum minister for how long? Has he and Obasanjo explained what happened to our 2billion dollars seized by then Field Marshal ldi Amin at d Entebbe Airport? Or did he explain d allegations against him at d PTDF? Obj was president and petroleum minister for Eight years bedeviled with corruption. He legalized bunkering. who probed him? Allegations against Tinubu is another eye saw in the corruption index of our banana republic.
But my concern is that it seems flagrant corruption perpetrated by d big 2 WAzo
is no offence. Is d finance and petroleum ministries an exclusive reserve of d north and west.?
Pls Nigeria belongs to all of us. The two women have done well and should be encouraged, and not castigated with religious and ethnic bias.
Your comment..We just have to appreciate n commend these women who have gallantly n courageously fought to set the ball rolling in their various fields. Brother, we don’t have to wait for another 16yrs to see the change that d APC govt would bring. The change starts now.