Sincere 9gerian:

The late literary icon, Prof Chinua Achebe was at his proverbial best when he stated in one of his novels that the house the enemy wanted to pull down has caught fire on its own. Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, who had massed a lot of enemies following her landmark reforms in the sector, is that proverbial house the enemy had long wanted to pull down.

It is no secret that the Oduah reforms upstaged the apple-cart in the sector and left some entrenched interests who had claimed the entire aviation patrimony as their personal estate wondering what on earth hit them so fundamentally below the belt.

Coming from a woman with a quiet and unassuming mien; and an almost vulnerable disposition was totally unexpected. Little did the cabal know that behind that cool exterior lies a steely determination to right decades of rape and desecration of the nation’s aviation sector!

Having fed fat on the system, and compromised every aviation minister along the line, the cabal felt it would be business as usual when Oduah came on board. By the time it dawned on them that the old order was truly over, several lopsided, inconsistent and in the words of the Minister herself, ‘’horrible” concession and lease agreements in the sector had either been reviewed or out-rightly cancelled in the overriding public interest.

The battle line appeared clearly drawn, and ever since then the Minister has hardly slept with both eyes closed as the cabal swore to fight with every ounce in their putrefying vaults. The bulletproof car purchase brouhaha presented the excellent opportunity for them to exact their revenge with the hope of dislodging the Minister and returning the sector to the ‘good old days of chop-make-i-chop’.

The concessionaires who were affected in this cleansing exercise fall squarely into this disgruntled and vengeful category. This category is ignobly joined by the ubiquitous stakeholders who believe self-righteously that every aviation minister ought to worship every morning at their feet in order to acquire any form of acceptance or legitimacy.

This clan would later increase with latter-day converts like a particular airline operator whose rabid dream of becoming the new National Carrier is turning into a deadly obsession, governors whose executive impunity is no longer an acceptable conduct under the current reforms as well as the Northern elements who are baying for President Jonathan’s life veins over his alleged 2015 ambition; and conveniently find in one of his most performing Cabinet Ministers, a perfect cannon fodder.

There is also an amorphous group that has been crying blue murder, alleging undue interference by the minister in the running of the agencies.

Each of these individuals and groups has a dubious grievance against the Minister which has nothing to do with any altruistic or patriotic fervour. They equally have one desire in common -to see the Minister quickly out through the back door. It is this coalition of the aggrieved that has coalesced to form the unofficial opposition that is now fuelling the car purchase controversy in the media beyond all reasonable boundaries.

To them, this is no ‘ordinary’ story, hence all and every effort must be made to keep it alive in the public psyche, hoping and praying that the Presidency could, in the process be blackmailed into taking a decision one way or the other in their favour.

Perhaps it is necessary to point out that apart from the oil and gas sector, it is difficult to point at any other sector in Nigeria that has more vicious and entrenched interests like aviation. But unlike the cabals in the oil and gas sector, those in aviation take no prisoners as the current controversy surrounding the purchase of two bulletproof cars has come to conclusively show.

As one reform after another was rolled out of the Oduah reform mill, and Oduah continued to receive one accolade after another, the number of those entrenched interests whose modus operandi was antithetical to the very essence of the reforms, kept multiplying. What the heck is going on here, they quipped indignantly as decades of rot in the system was cleared and measures to pave the way for a more transparent, accountable and self-sustaining sector were being institutionalised.

It is against the foregoing backdrop that we must interrogate and hazard an unbiased understanding of the on-going controversy and the accompanying, unusual media hype. Now, Sahar areporters.com, that online media outfit that has thrown all known professional media ethics to the dogs broke the story of the alleged purchase of two bulletproof cars for the Aviation Minister

Sincere 9gerian:

We must not lose sight of the main plank of the Saharareporters story. The story was built on the charge that the Minister ‘’compelled” the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to procure the vehicles for her in the sum of N255million. To be sure, every other aspect of that report, safe the fact of the purchase has come out to be patently false. This is no surprise as the Sahar areporters.com thrives on falsehood, blackmail and other underhand tactics unknown to the media profession.

Tragically however, no one seems to be paying any attention to the other lies peddled by the online medium. For starters, the lie that the Minister ‘compelled’ NCAA to procure the vehicles has been exposed for what it is- a huge lie as investigation by the House Committee has not proved any iota of compulsion on the part of the Minister.

Secondly, there has been no shred of evidence supporting the claims in the report that the vehicles were bought for the Minister. In all their testimonies before the committee, the Minister, NCAA, First Bank, and Cosharis Motors declared that the cars were bought for the operational use of the agency. Instructively, the Committee has not found any evidence to the contrary.

Thirdly, it has emerged that the alleged sum of N255million was never paid to Cosharis Motors as the vehicles were purchased under a Lease Financing arrangement by First Bank plc. Fourthly, the claim that the bulletproof/security vehicles were not captured in the 2013 Appropriation Act is incorrect. Item 6 on the budget listed every other vehicle type and numbers (for example 5 nos Prado jeeps, 10 nos Hilux pick-up vans, etc) in addition to 2 nos security/safety vehicles.

Now, if the House Committee on Aviation members are insisting they never appropriated bulletproof cars for the agency, it is incumbent on them to explain to Nigerians what those 2 nos security/safety vehicles represents because every other vehicle type was listed by brand and quantity to be procured.

If anyone were therefore, to blame for the procurement of the bulletproof cars, it ought to be the Committee that provided the opportunity for the NCAA to interpret the 2 nos security/safety vehicles whichever way it wanted. Or are we to take the Prado Jeeps and Hilux cars which were clearly spelt out both in brand name and quantity to mean the same thing as security/safety vehicles? The honourable thing for the lawmakers to do is to admit that they erred by making an open-ended provision for the purchase of 2 nos security/safety vehicles on Item 6 in the budget without specifying the brand.

Else, it would be taken to mean that the Committee and the entire House is now the latest leg in the nebulous and ever-expanding axis of revenge traducing the Aviation Minister for undertaking drastic reforms to reposition the aviation sector in Nigeria.

Or is there more to it than meets the eye, since we have been told severally that the committee earlier ‘rejected’ the request for bulletproof cars? Did someone play smart by inserting the 2 nos vehicles by subterfuge?

Now we come to the real crust of the matter-the question of culpability or otherwise of the Minister. If what we have read in the newspapers and online media is anything to go by, then it is very unfortunate. Reports indicate that the House Committee found Oduah guilty of ‘abuse of office’ by allegedly exceeding her approval threshold of N100million. We must not lose sight of the fact that the said ‘reports’ were from unofficial sources.

To be sure, the said reports appeared a clear 24 hours before the Certified True Copy of the Report was laid on the table in Plenary. Who leaked the report to the media and what was his or her motivation? Could it be that some underhand dealings had taken place, hence the rush to assure the paymasters that the ‘job’ had been done in accordance with the terms of the agreement?

Whatever the circumstances, the fact is that the leakage casts a long shadow not only on the reputation and integrity of the Report itself, but also over the Committee and entire House. The integrity of a report that found its way to unauthorised hands and even widely published in the media, a clear 24 hours before it was due to be officially presented to the House is, to say the least, already compromised. We are not even interrogating the fact the syndicated Report did not appear to take into any account, the testimony of the Minister in arriving at its the final recommendations.

This scandal should not be allowed to pass as if nothing untoward has happened because this is against all known Legislative Practice and Procedure. The leadership of the House must give the serious attention which this matter deserves by mandating the Committee to produce a fresh Report that would not be tainted by any suspicions of compromise.

Sincere 9gerian:

This is the only way a Report into this serious investigation will have any measure of credibility and command the legitimacy required of a document from the second highest legislative organ in the land.

Else, it would be taken to mean that the Committee and the entire House is now the latest leg in the nebulous and ever-expanding axis of revenge traducing the Aviation Minister for undertaking drastic reforms to reposition the aviation sector in Nigeria.

Mr Obohro Embe a public affairs commentator, wrote from Warri, Delta State.

The Pope delivered a similar message on the 8th of November where he said corrupt people who earned money via bribes or corrupt practices had "lost their dignity", and fed their children "unclean bread".

He explained further saying "Some of you might say: 'But this man only did what everyone does!." (The psychological profile of StellaGate and her Supporters). The Pope has this to say to them "These poor people who have lost their dignity in the habit of bribes take with them not the money they have earned, but only their lack of dignity!". I rest my case and let the Lynching begin.

Gorrbachev: Its difficult to make sense of what this faceless vanguard writer wrote. Who are these cabals, amorphous groups etc that are after Stella Oduah?

“When she came on board as the minister, she inherited a lot of baggage in terms of the concession and lease agreements in the sector, which were clearly not in the interest of the government and people of Nigeria.

“And so, she took bold steps and some of these agreements were reviewed and some were terminated, and these moves disturbed some entrenched interests in the sector, and within this period, she began to receive some imminent threats to her life; therefore, the need for the vehicles.

“It should be noted that these vehicles are not personal vehicles and were not procured in the name of the honourable minister; they are utility vehicles and are for the office of the minister, and if she leaves the office, she will not be taking the vehicles along with her.” Joe Obi, Ms. BMW's "Special assistant media"

Sincere 9gerian: The FACTS that have been established so far:

1. There was no evidence that the minister forced NCAA to buy armoured vehicles.

2. The armoured vehicles and other vehicles were bought and registered in the name of NCAA. None in the name of the ministry of aviation or Oduah

3. The armoured vehicles was dully budgeted for by the NASS.

4. Nothing to show that NCAA is cash strapped because it bought vehicles under a lease arrangement with First Bank.

5. Only about N52 million has been paid for all the vehicles bought by NCAA. The NASS approved about N200 million for vehicle purchase by NCAA in 2013

In the face of these FACTS, why are Tinubu vultures still making NOISE on this matter?

texazzpete:

They don't exist. He made them up.

It's the way of our thieving elite; make up 'cabals' and 'cliques' that are behind their self-inflicted travails. Have you forgotten so soon how Ibori's problems with the law were being blamed on his political foes? Or how Alams supporters wrote tons of articles claiming bias and witchhunting...even when it was proven he had looted more than N50billion Naira?

Didn't Bode George blame cabals and enemies the second he was released from jail?

These are old tricks. They aren't fooling anyone.

Sincere 9gerian: The FACTS that have been established so far:

1. There was no evidence that the minister forced NCAA to buy armoured vehicles.

2. The armoured vehicles and other vehicles were bought and registered in the name of NCAA. None in the name of the ministry of aviation or Oduah

3. The armoured vehicles was dully budgeted for by the NASS.

4. Nothing to show that NCAA is cash strapped because it bought vehicles under a lease arrangement with First Bank.

5. Only about N52 million has been paid for all the vehicles bought by NCAA. The NASS approved about N200 million for vehicle purchase by NCAA in 2013

Sincere 9gerian:

In the NCAA 2013 budget approval document of the National Assembly obtained by Daily Trust, the provisions for operational vehicles were Toyota pick-up Hilux, five units; Toyota Corolla, 10 units; Toyota Landcruiser, five units; Toyota Hiace bus, three units; security inspection vehicle, two units for safety/security purposes and inspection of perimeter fences, all at the sum of N240 million.

http://dailytrust.info/index.php/top-stories/9031-oduah-admits-approving-purchase-of-n564m-cars

trillville:

You are right, there is absolutely no evidence that she forced the NCAA purchase the said vehicles.



you are right again. 2 for 2



Now this is a lie from the pit of hell. The NASS never approved the purchase of any bullet proof cars for the NCAA in the 2013 budget.



A lease agreement whereby payments are made in installments is tantamount to contract splitting which is a economic crime under our constitution.



The amount of loans taken for the purchase of the vehicles was N643 million and not the N200 million in the NCAA budget for the year.

You are clearly mixing facts with lots of fiction to deceive less informed minds. Your yeye is truly smelling.

Sincere 9gerian:

At a point when the lawmakers asked the minister if armoured cars could be used for inspecting perimeter fencing, Oduah replied saying “I’m at a loss. Security cars are armoured cars and armoured cars are security cars.”

http://dailytrust.info/index.php/top-stories/9031-oduah-admits-approving-purchase-of-n564m-cars

Sincere 9gerian: Maybe you should read the relevant content of the NCAA budget approved by NASS below.

trillville:
Your link states that the legislators approved N240 million but NCAA spent N564 million on vehicles. Is this not extra budgetary spending?
Or is there something I am not understanding?

A-ZeD:

What you don't understand is Insincere 9gerian is a liar even the devil can't compete with.

Every Tomiwa, Dike and Haruna knows what was approved for vehicles in the budget.

trillville:

My brother, you should let Insincere 9gerian try to explain himself. The guy really tries hard to do a good job for his pay masters.
I just hope he will not turn into FFK and become an anti corruption crusader after GEJ leaves in 2015.

Sincere 9gerian:
Yea! Everyone has a master. While Tinubu is the master of some people, my master is Almighty God.

Back to the issue at hand. If you had taken a few more seconds to browse thru the report, you wouldn't be asking ridiculous questions. NASS approved N244 million for purchase of vehicles by NCAA in 2013. Yes NCAA bought vehicles worth over N500 million but the whole money will not be paid at once. NCAA had an arrangement with First Bank that will enable the agency pay for the vehicles bit by bits, on a monthly basis, over 3 years. The payment that will be made this year will not exceed N244 million approved by NASS.

trillville:

Can't you see that what you have written down is corruption? I see extra budgetary spending and contract splitting. Can't you comprehend what I am writing?


The worst part of this oduah scandal is that the source of money used in this jamboree is directly tax payers money and not oil money. Sincere 9gerian, if you have boarded a plane this year, you should know that you paid a tax. That money from your pocket is what she used to buy the vehicles.

What's the different between oduah and a night time robber? she has directly stolen from every Nigerian that flies. It is ridiculous that we are discussing whether she should be fired or not rather than discussing how much time she should spend in jail. This shows how low Nigeria has fallen and why every person from Ted Cruz to Ann coulter is insulting us. You should be highly ashamed of yourself for not standing for justice. Shame on you.

SLIDE waxie:

See how dem dey fall behind the woman like their land was never founded on common sense!

Can't u just call a spade a spade. Even if u call a spade a shovel, its still better than saying its a spoon of a giant!

May i ask why dora wasn't indicted in all her very beautiful and active years of fighting the drug Lords?

Its simple: because she served wen a good president who wanted change was on seat. There was no case or super stories of 'cabals' haunting her!

russellino:

Yorubas like you scream blue murder to non-yorubas and sensible yorubas alike when he is called the megalomaniac criminal he is beneath his progressive veneer. A mysterious trillionaire and yorubas like you praise him for investing in yorubaland. Smh

Dora was hunted by onitsha fake drug cartels made up of rich traders. Oduah took food out of the mouths of concessionaires and their entrenched allies in the aviation ministry and subsidiary agencies. Bi-courtney and maevis among many other powerful yoruba interests have been bruised so I'm not surprised they hired a respected writer called Dele Sobowale to declare months ago - oduah vs yoruba tribe.

Gorrbachev: Its difficult to make sense of what this faceless vanguard writer wrote. Who are these cabals, amorphous groups etc that are after Stella Oduah?

Ok, let's look at the scenario with a corrupt mind. The writer said the ministry was managed under a chop-make-i-chop regime. What Stella was doing was she held every one's hands with her left hand and eat alone with the right hand. No matter how this scandal is twisted, it can never make sense even if she builds the best airport for nigeria with her personal money.

texazzpete: I'm sorry your memory is so short-lived, but the house of reps inquisition was just a week or two away...and we all remember the conflicting tales and the damaging revelations we heard.

You are right that there is more to this than meets the eye. We still - for example - need to know what Oduah's PA claimed the cars were for her safety. We still need to know why supposed death threats were not reported.

Thanks for reporting on her 'reformation agenda'. We see the fruits in the aeons it is taking for the Port Harcourt airport renovations to be completed. We see the abysmal quality of the new GAT terminal in the local lagos airport. We see the increasingly POOR safety record under her administration. Safety is always first...nearly 200 dead already.

The House has rightly called for her dismissal. If Oduah's best efforts are stemming from GEJ's agenda, surely he can pick someone else to carry on that grand vision, and not cling to her because she supported his campaign with a MASSIVE and expensive propaganda effort.

trillville:

Can't you see that what you have written down is corruption? I see extra budgetary spending and contract splitting. Can't you comprehend what I am writing?


The worst part of this oduah scandal is that the source of money used in this jamboree is directly tax payers money and not oil money. Sincere 9gerian, if you have boarded a plane this year, you should know that you paid a tax. That money from your pocket is what she used to buy the vehicles.

What's the different between oduah and a night time robber? she has directly stolen from every Nigerian that flies. It is ridiculous that we are discussing whether she should be fired or not rather than discussing how much time she should spend in jail. This shows how low Nigeria has fallen and why every person from Ted Cruz to Ann coulter is insulting us. You should be highly ashamed of yourself for not standing for justice. Shame on you.

texazzpete:

They don't exist. He made them up.

It's the way of our thieving elite; make up 'cabals' and 'cliques' that are behind their self-inflicted travails. Have you forgotten so soon how Ibori's problems with the law were being blamed on his political foes? Or how Alams supporters wrote tons of articles claiming bias and witchhunting...even when it was proven he had looted more than N50billion Naira?

Didn't Bode George blame cabals and enemies the second he was released from jail?

These are old tricks. They aren't fooling anyone.

Gorrbachev: