TheCable

A religious group, Christians United Against Boko Haram, has accused former minister of the federal capital territory, Nasir el-Rufai, of deliberately attacking Ayo Oristejafor, president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in order to cover up some of his misdeeds.

After the South African government discovered a huge amount of money meant for the illegal procurement of arms in an aircraft linked to Oritsejafor, el-Rufai joined some notable critics of the government to call for an investigation into the issue, saying the cleric has a case to answer.

Though Oritsejafor distanced himself from the deal by claiming the aircraft had been leased out since August, his critics would have none of that.

Commenting on the issue, Olusola Oyedokun, the executive secretary of the body, maintained that el-Rufai is just hell bent on maligning the reputation of the president of CAN.

“Firstly, on Monday at the September 8, 2014, at the Portcullis House in Parliament, London, Malam Nasir el-Rufai publicly accused the president of CAN, Oritsejafor, of collecting N50bn from President Goodluck Jonathan as well as a jet for the purpose of sponsoring terrorism,” Oyedokun said.

“After his speech, he distributed a pamphlet which contained his accusations. We have documentary and photographic proof of this and of course Malam Nasir el-Rufai cannot deny this. We will be prepared to produce the evidence should the Malam have the temerity to issue a denial.

“Secondly, the plane in question has already been established to have been leased out to a commercial firm. As at the time the plane was chartered by persons connected to Nigeria’s Security agencies, they had no fore knowledge of the ownership of the plane. Why, in spite of this fact, has Mallam Nasir el-Rufai continued to link the president of CAN to the purported deal?

“Thirdly, the Nigerian Security community has indicated without equivocation that this was a legitimate transaction, blaming the official delegation for any slips and particularly the failure to declare the funds.”

Oyedokun added that Nigerians should be suspicious of el-Rufai and the All Progressives Congress (APC), maintaining that they are trying to divert the attention of the public from the alleged ties that they have with the Boko Haram.

“Going by the statements and documents adduced by Malam Nasir el-Rufai at the British Parliament on Monday September 8 and the subsequent issue regarding the plane, it is obvious that Malam Nasir el-Rufai and his associates have a mole within the national security community, which in the opinion of CAN explains so many things.

“Fourthly, should it not bother the Nigerian public that only on the September 16 2014, a member of the European Parliament, Franz Obermayr (MEP), a senior member of the European Parliament, accused the All Progressive Congress of using humanitarian aid from Europe as well as funds received from al-Qaeda to fund the terrorist sect, Boko Haram?

“This is all the more troubling especially considering that Mr. Andrew Rosindell of the British Parliament made similar allegations on the floor of the House of Commons two months ago.

“Why has Mallam Nasirel-Rufai, the Buhari Vanguard and the APC suddenly come out with guns blazing in their accusations against CAN and the person of Pastor Ayo when the world is focusing attention on exposing the sponsors of the Boko Haram sect?

“We encourage all Nigerians to search for and read the revelations by Franz Obermayr. He mentions names, and big names at that. Also, we wonder why Mallam el-Rufai who has been in celebratory mood about the revelations of Rev. Davies, has chosen to keep quiet about the identity of the “senior official of the CBN who recently left the bank” and who was implicated by Davies as a direct sponsor of terror.

“These and other revelations are what people like Mallam Nasir el-Rufai are eager to sweep under the carpet with this red herring of a jet linked to Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.”