Despite the drama former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, enacted before State House correspondents in which he stonewalled on all questions asked of him, Political Economist can authoritatively reveal that aside the budget details and advisory not to accent immediately, the latest news from Panama also formed part of the discussion.
Our source revealed that Chief Obasanjo told President Muhammadu Buhari not to ignore the reported leaks from Panama which indicted some Nigerians including Senate President Bukola Saraki and Senator David Mark. Both Saraki and Mark were said to have used the secrecy and opaque operations in Panama financial institutions to siphon public money. Another Nigerian, Mr James Ibori, was also named among the 140 world leaders, politicians and professionals who allegedly laundered money through the Panama conduit.
Obasanjo reportedly told President Buhari to explore the reports as part of the instruments and evidence to cleanse the public space of corruption. Both Presidents were behind closed door for about one hour before Chief Obasanjo emerged to confront a horde of reporters.
Obasanjo, who was driven into the forecourt of the President’s office in a black Sports Utility vehicle, cracked jokes with journalists on his photographs with the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, which showed both dancing at a party.
However at the end of the closed door meeting, Chief Obasanjo told State House correspondents that he used the opportunity of the meeting to share his experiences on some of his recent international engagements with Buhari.
“You know that not too long ago, I was out there. I have come to share some of my experiences with him (Buhari),” he said.
The reporters asked him to give details of the experiences to which he retorted: “Ha! Ha! If I say I shared experiences with my wife, you will ask me wetin I talk with my wife?”
He feigned ignorance of the accusation by the National Assembly that he used to sign budget before getting the details. “Eh-en? I signed budget without details? Anybody who told you that, go and ask him again,” he said, with a hint of surprise at the allegation.
He also evaded comment on the 2016 Appropriation Bill, saying he could not do so until he would have read the document and known what it contained.
“The constitution allows you (the President) to continue with the budget provided you did not go beyond the previous year. That can be done up to the middle of the year,” he said in response to the issue of delayed accent by Mr. President.
He parried other questions before being driven away.
