22nd October, 2013
Simon Ateba/Aviation correspondent
Nigeria’s aviation authorities on Tuesday gave a different version of a story involving the purchase of two BMW bullet-proof vehicles at the cost of N255 million for the aviation minister, Princess Stella Oduah.
The two armored vehicles which gulped as much as a quarter of a billion naira have not even been paid for, authorities said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Indeed, Nigerians are mischievously sold the lie that the cars have been paid for – meanwhile they were purchased on higher purchase and payments are yet to even commence,” said Yakubu Dati, spokesperson of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, who often speaks for the aviation minister.
Dati said there is now evidence that the scandal is the handiwork of the All Progressives Congress and the main target is President Goodluck Jonathan.
“Nigerians must also note that the main target of this sinister plot is President Goodluck Jonathan who must be stopped from running for re-election in 2015, in line with the dictates of the G7, who have demanded that Okonjo Iweala, Alison Madueke, and Princess Oduah must go as a condition for a truce (to take place),” Dati said as if trying to divert attention from the corruption itself.
He denied that the aviation minister has anything to do with the cars, saying that her name was not on any documents leaked to the media.
“No mention is made of the fact that, of all the documents paraded for the vehicles, none mentioned the name of the Honourable Minister of Aviation.
“This is not withstanding the fact that the NCAA has come out to clarify the issue that entered into the transaction,” Dati said.
Joe Obi, the spokesperson for Stella Oduah had earlier said that the cars were bought for the minister because her life was threatened by those who opposed her so-called transformation agenda in the aviation sector.
Fola Akinkuotu, Director General of the NCAA said at a press conference that the cars were bought to move VIPs around when they visit the agency.
Many Nigerians to be surprised at the frequent change of stories from aviation authorities.
Nigerians have expressed outrage over the car scandal and called on Oduah to resign or be sacked by President Goodluck Jonathan for corruption, mismanagement and breach of trust.
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