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Oshiomhole Accuses ‘Old Master Thief’ Obasanjo Of Grouping ‘Old Thieves’ Against Buhari

“It is only in Nigeria that old thieves will be regrouping; they are being organised by an old master thief who spent 16 billion… the more dollars he spent on light, the more darkness you suffered," Oshiomhole said. "Buhari asked: $16billion, where is the power? You say ‘Buhari, why are you asking? How dare you ask? If you ask, we will ask Nigerians to reject you.’"

Although he did not expressly mention the name ‘Olusegun Obasanjo’, Adams Oshiomhole, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Wednesday described the former President as “an old master thief’ who was grouping “old thieves” against President Muhammadu Buhari.

Oshiomhole said this in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, during APC’s welcome rally for Godswill Akpabio, who was defecting to the party from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In other examples pointing towards Obasanjo, Oshiomhole referenced the spending of $16billion on power without commensurate results, and the visits of politicians to Ota, Ogun State.

While addressing the Buhari Support Organisation (BSO) in May, Buhari, in a comment that appeared directed at Obasanjo, had said: “You know the rail was killed and one of the former Heads of State between that time was bragging that he spent more than 15 billion American dollars not Naira on power. Where is the power? Where is the power?”

Obasanjo responded by dismissing the allegation as “based out of ignorance”, challenging and encouraging “anybody to set up another enquiry if in doubt and unsatisfied with the EFCC report and that of the Hon. Aminu Tambuwal-led ad-hoc committee”.

He also asked Buhari to read, or ask his aides to, and then summarise to him, writing: “We recommend that the President and his co-travellers should read Chapters 41, 42, 43 and 47 of My Watch for Chief Obasanjo’s insights and perspectives on the power sector and indeed what transpired when the allegation of $16 billion on power projects was previously made. If he cannot read the three-volume book, he should detail his aides to do so and summarise the chapters in a language that he will easily understand."

On Wednesday, Oshiomhole reignited the $16bn power conversation, saying: There are two forces [against Buhari]… those who are saying it is their birthright that Nigeria should continue to share the resources of the people, and President Buhari said no, you have done it for too long. For 16 years you have been doing it, now enough is enough. And those of you have already done it, I am sending you to prison. Those are the people running to PDP.

“But have you seen a man who can run away from his shadow? I have been accused of talking too much, and I’m really going to talk today…

“It is only in Nigeria that old thieves will be regrouping; they are being organised by an old master thief who spent 16 billion… the more dollars he spent on light, the more darkness you suffered.

“Buhari asked: $16billion, where is the power? You say ‘Buhari, why are you asking? How dare you ask? If you ask, we will ask Nigerians to reject you.’ How can a man who has never won his [polling] booth in Ogun State suddenly become a… And look at those who are paying pilgrimage to Ota, who are they? They are the thieves of yesterday, the thieves of today and those are to be thieves tomorrow.”

 

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