Aminu Bello Masari, governor of Katsina state and former speaker of the house of representatives, has lamented that for six years, a Niger Delta president failed to develop the region despite huge revenues from oil.
Although he did not name anyone, the reference to a Niger Delta president was apparently made to Goodluck Jonathan, the immediate past president, under whose presidency oil price averaged $100 per barrel.
In an interview published in the current edition of The Interview, Masari called out Niger Delta leaders, challenging them to “come clean” on how they managed the region’s resources.
“For six years, we had a Niger Delta president. Let us see what difference he made in six years when he was president,” he said.
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“When the excess crude account became pocket money, how much of the money went to the Niger Delta?”
He asked the federal government to publish how much the region has received since the 13 percent derivation started.
According to a statement by Azu Ishiekwene, managing director/editor-in-chief of the magazine, “the interview features Masari firing on all cylinders”.
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The former speaker of the house of representatives took on Senate President Bukola Saraki, and explained why the third term bid of former President Olusegun Obasanjo failed.
For the first time, he spoke at length on ‘budget padding’, and then, he “removed his gloves on his predecessor, Ibrahim Shema”.
Asked what he did to ensure accountability of oil money when he was speaker and also a ranking member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Masari said: “The house of representatives has been friendly to the people of the Niger Delta than any other institution in the country.”
The magazine’s issue also contains detailed interviews with Chioma Ajunwa and the world’s most famous foodies, the Roca Brothers.
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Editor’s note: Jonathan was president from 2010-2015, a period of five years
10 comments
Masari has got no moral right to ask the leaders of Nigeria Delta such questions. He should rather explain why the North is still this backward after the funds that has accrued to its states. Why are they still behind every other regions on all developmental indices? Why do they still have people suffering from VVF, Polio, Almajiri epidemic etc. A governor from a region that contributes zero percent to the national purse should rather keep quiet.
Quiet or not hes making a legitimate point lets put sentiment aside
@ Sesan, Masari isn’t right and he should stop being a hypocrite. That question should be asked by citizens of those states to their leaders. Can the governor of Texas ask the governor of Alaska to explain what he/she has done with revenues that he/she has received?
First ask yourself if what Masari said is the truth before taking it back to him. Only truth can set this nation free!
@ Olaeku, Masari isn’t right and he should stop being a hypocrite. That question should be asked by citizens of those states to their leaders. Can the governor of Texas ask the governor of Alaska to explain what he/she has done with revenues that he/she has received? We should stop acting stupidly because we want to make a point. Some of you guys have simply lost your sense of reasoning.
Your comment..pl dont talk onbehalf the ex president.masari spoke because deltans complained.
@ Tutwe Guisiwe, go get a life. If they complained, please point to where and how the complaint was made. Your tribe(Northern Nigeria) are the parasites holding the whole nation back. You people have failed to leave the spot the British left you guys in 1960.
Martins I see no reason why you’re abusive, the Deltans have refused to question there leaders, the problem with the south South region is right there in there faces, yet they blame the federal. Don’t forget that the north feeds this nation, and if each state controls it’s resources whatever the south South gets From oil will still find its way back to the north for food. So its a win win for them but they just haven’t figured it out.
The mam is right we have to tell our self the truth
Hunger don enter government oooooooo No money to spend like before.