SP takes shots at Jonathan, says GEJ was an unprepared leader [VIDEO]
"I told Jonathan about subsidy scam but he only said: 'Saraki, you know this oil business is very oily.'"
Speaking at the launch of Bolaji Abdullahi’s book , in Abuja on Thursday, November 30, 2017, Saraki said Jonathan was not prepared for leadership either was he desperate for power.
Recounting his moments with the former Nigerian president, Saraki noted that Jonathan’s failure to take critical decisions at the right time contributed to his failure as a leader.
“I like to share one or two things that will probably summarize the former President Jonathan," Saraki began his semi-scripted speech.
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“I remember when I was then Senator and I came across this issue of fuel subsidy and the way the country was losing close to about N1.3 trillion. In the history of this country, I don’t think of any singular kind of level of corruption as huge as that. I had a motion already I wanted to present on the floor of the Senate.
“I felt as a member of the ruling party at that time, it was only proper I discussed it with the President first, maybe some action could be taken so that I would step down the motion.
“I booked an appointment to see Mr. President. I went with my paper. I started with the background of how people bring in petroleum products. I said ‘Mr. President, in the past people used to get award letters from NNPC to bring in PMS, DPK, and make 10, 20 per cent profit.
“I said Sir, they’ve taken it to another level now. They get an order to bring in products, they don’t want to make 10, 20 per cent anymore.
“They will get an offer to bring in a cargo of 20,000 litres; they will bring in 5,000 to be stamped for 20,000 and instead of making 10 per cent, they make ten times the amount.
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“I was telling the President, thinking the President would get very agitated. But said: ‘Senator Saraki, you know this oil business is very oily.’
“I was stunned and taken aback! But in a way, that was Jonathan. In a sad way, that was who he is,” he said.
Saraki sighted another example of his encounter with Jonathan when he informed the former president to contest his seat in the 2015 presidential election.
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Here’s what Saraki said: “And if you look at the second encounter I will recollect, it was the day I decided I was going to contest to be President. I felt that I didn’t want Jonathan to hear it as news, I booked an appointment to go and see him.
“I didn’t know what I was thinking that day. I went to the Villa. He said: ‘Come in, come in, how can I help you?’
“I looked at the President of a third world country and said ‘Mr. President, I came to tell you that I am going to be contesting for your seat.’
“Jonathan looked at me and said: ‘Okay, good luck, good luck.' If it were any other person, maybe I would not have left the Villa! But that again sums up Goodluck Jonathan.
“I think it is us Nigerians that produce the kind of leaders we get. No matter what you say about him, I don’t think he was someone who was desperate for power.
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“He was not someone that was prepared for leadership. Yes, by misfortune or fortune I keep on saying, we all know the right things but we don’t do it, we find ourselves sometimes blaming individuals, blaming others than ourselves,” the Senate president said.
The Senate president blamed Nigerians for the kind of leaders elected to spearhead the affairs of the country.
“I think it is us (Nigerians) that produce the kind of leaders we get. No matter what you say about him, I don’t think he (Goodluck Jonathan) was someone who was desperate for power.
“He was not someone that was prepared for leadership. Yes, by misfortune or fortune I keep on saying, we all know the right things but we don’t do it. We find ourselves sometimes blaming individuals, blaming others than ourselves,” he added.
Author of the book, Abdullahi served as minister of youths and sport in the Jonathan administration before his sack in 2014.
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Abdullahi current serves as the publicity secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
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