Fresh Trouble for Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan is enjoying a difficult time in office. The man Nigerians voted because he had no shoes now has his shoes full with all manner of comforting pinch. There is no end in sight for such a pleasurable ride in turmoil for the Otueke born lecturer turned politician. Every now and then, there is news of Boko Haram, a terrorist organization that has thus far made security a persistent headache for Nigeria’s number one citizen. Then there is the political face off with the opposition every now and again. As if these are not enough, the man famed for being lucky has not been lucky with the jeers coming his way for his inability to sack the principal actors in the subsidy fraud or his inability to promptly reinstate Justice Ayo Salami.

These are not enough worry however, as fresh allegations have emerged that the president himself discretely ordered the transfer of over a billion US Dollars to Dan Etete former petroleum minister under the Abacha regime.

According to documents (filed March 22, 2012) before the Supreme Court of the State of New York in the US, President Goodluck Jonathan discreetly approved the transfer of the sum of $1.1bn to Mr. Etete on April 29, 2011, two weeks after he was re-elected. 

The money was first paid to the Federal Government by two multinational oil companies: Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited (Agip) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (Shell) in respect of oil block OPL 245. 

But shortly after the funds were credited to the Federal Government's account, Mr. Jonathan ordered that it should be secretly transferred to a London account of Mr. Etete's company, Malabu Oil.

It is not clear what deal Mr. Jonathan struck with Malabu, and on what basis the payment was made. President Jonathan's spokesperson, Reuben Abati did not answer or return calls seeking his comment for this story. He also did not respond to a text message sent to him for the same purpose.

For the full story, please go to http://premiumtimesng.com/business/5215-jonathan_-shell_-etete_-in-fresh-n155billion-scandal.html.

The president may be a very lucky man that has mastered the art of landing himself in trouble. It remains to be seen how the president will come out of this unscathed. His advisors must have a torrid time scheming a response that will most likely be one leaning towards outright denial and the usual talk of distraction.

Just last week, the nation was thrown into an arena of name calling gladiatorial feast. A former head of state General Buhari had speculated revolution if INEC fails to improve on its performance of the 2011 elections only for the presidency and his party to react in a manner that can only be characterized as overly reactionary. American president, Abraham Lincoln had at one time proclaimed: any man can withstand adversity, if you want to test a man give him power.

Power has perhaps become the president’s adversity in that he has successfully been able to persistently lead himself into these allegations of complicity, corruption and confusion. Or what else is the explanation of the president’s inability to reinstate Justice Ayo Salami other than confusion? We eagerly anticipate and wait the reaction of the president or his erudite spokesman to this new allegation of corruption and hope sincerely that it will not be the usual ‘no truth-distraction.’