Government NOT Jonathan Lacked Will to Save - Okonjo-Iweala Disclaims Viral Reports

Posted by Odinaka on Fri 15th Apr, 2016 - tori.ng

Former Minister of Finance has said that her statement blaming the lack of political will to save funds under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan has been taken out of context.

It was widely reported online and social media earlier today former Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the absence of political will to save under former President Goodluck Jonathan was responsible for the hardship currently facing the country.

In a statement issued on Friday by Paul Nwabuikwu, the media aide of the two-time minister, disclosed that her statement on the viral reports has been taken out of context, adding that Okonjo-Iweala was referring to the opposition of some governors to the efforts of the immediate past administration to save in the excess crude account (ECA) and in sovereign wealth fund (SWF).

The statement read;

Low Savings: Okonjo-Iweala Did Not Indict The Jonathan Administration

Some recent media reports have distorted comments made by former Finance Minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala regarding how lack of political will negatively impacted national savings over the past few years.

Contrary to the slant given by these loud headlines, Dr Okonjo-Iweala did not indict the Jonathan administration in which she served.

Rather, she was referring to what many Nigerians already know: the strong opposition by some governors to the Jonathan government’s efforts to save in the Excess Crude Account and the Sovereign Wealth Fund sabotaged this important national priority.

The governors’ criticism of Dr Okonjo-Iweala’s many calls for the country to save for the rainy day are still fresh in the minds of Nigerians.

It will be recalled that this opposition culminated in the Governors taking the Jonathan government to the Supreme Court in furtherance of their position that the Federal Government had no right to “compel” them to save.

Several knowledgeable persons including former Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi have confirmed these facts.

So the issue of Okonjo-Iweala indicting the Jonathan administration over this very public issue simply does not arise.

We urge the media to always consult for clarification whenever the need arises.

Paul C Nwabuikwu

Media Adviser to Dr Okonjo-Iweala