Former Governor of Rivers State, Chief Rotimi Amaechi has said that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has a lot of explanation to make as to why he raised oil subsidy from N300 Billion during the Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime to N1.9 Trillion.
The former governor who spoke last night in Abuja at a dinner organized in his honour by his friends said: “when the trouble between me and the former President started, as Chairman of Governors Forum, the oil subsidy was N300 billion under President (Olusegun) Obasanjo. It remained the same under late President Umaru Yar’Adua. Six months of President Goodluck Jonathan (administration), the oil subsidy rose to N1.9 trillion. Is it that the country now doubled its population or bought more machines or started manufacturing?
“As chairman of Governors Forum, I was in a position to get my own share of the N1.9tr but I chose the path of honesty and truth; you cannot catch me being dishonest.”
He said that at another meeting, where the issue of increase in fuel subsidy payment was tabled, he had to disagree with the ex-President and others.
“There was a time I walked into a meeting with President Jonathan and in the meeting, the argument was that they wanted more money for oil subsidy. As the chairman of governors’ forum, I stood my ground and told the president I was not going to support that.
“He asked me why and I explained that we are already in court with you on the issue of fuel subsidy. The (ex) President abused the hell out of my life. I have huge respect for the President, but the only thing that made me disagree with him was on the issue of the management of the country’s treasury.”
Amaechi admitted however that the looting of the nation’s treasury was done by people from all the geo-political zones, saying that such act was superintended over by a President from the South South.
The committee of friends who hosted Amaechi was chaired by ex-Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva and was attended by Senator Magnus Abe, Dakuku Peterside, and the governors of Plateau and Bauchi States among others. [myad]
