Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has refuted a statement credited to him to have described Senator Ifeanyi Araraume as corrupt and incapable of heading the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
In a statement signed on behalf of the former President by his Lawyer, Dr Tunji Abayomi, and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, the former President said he would never make a statement without reflecting on its consequences, insisting that “President Muhammadu Buhari as a sitting President has the prerogative to appoint anyone he thinks can help him realise the objectives of his government.”
The former President added that his preoccupation now was to advance ideas that could help Nigeria attain greater heights in all facets and not to talk about individuals.
He further expressed the view that while he would not talk about people, but issues, he would also expect a turnaround in the economy in the overall interest of all Nigerians.
President Obasanjo wished Senator Araraume and the other members of the Board, the best in their national assignment.
The statement was issued in response to unsubstantiated claims by Senator Araraume’s political opponents who had claimed in several Social Media reports that Chief Obasanjo had condemned Araraume’s appointment as the Chairman of the Board of NNPC.