Meanwhile, the twin-issue of
an alleged $9.3 million arms
deal scandal and the
handling of investigation into
the tragedy trailing the
collapse of building at the
Synagogue Church for All
Nations church, are
reportedly generating
tension between Nigeria and
South Africa.

A diplomatic source revealed
that the brewing
disagreement could snowball
into a major diplomatic row.

Nigeria and South-Africa
have been in and out of
frosty relations since the
incumbent President, Jacob
Zuma assumed office.

His administration’s
antagonistic disposition is
allegedly due to President
Goodluck Jonathan’s
emergence, which denied his
very close friend in Nigeria,
the presidency.

The Nigerian friend is still
eyeing the top job and the
latest moves by the South-
African government are
being reportedly perceived
in security circle as
deliberate acts to embarrass
the Nigerian government and
possibly weaken the
presidency ahead of 2015
presidential election.

A diplomatic source disclosed
that the Nigerian government
was shocked by the decision
of Pretoria to rush to the
media over the arms
business, without exploring
the usual diplomatic channels
with the Nigerian
government.

The source further
explained that in a normal
circumstance, the South
African government should
have contacted its Nigerian
counterpart once those
caught with the controversial
cash had disclosed that they
were executing a contract
for the Nigerian security
agencies with the active
backing of the Jonathan
administration.
Saturday Tribune was
equally informed that the
move by South Africa to
criminalise the issue and
make the cash movement to
appear like money-
laundering, confirmed the
alleged politics behind the
rejection by the South Africa,
of diplomatic moves by the
Nigerian government, to
amicably resolve the issue.
With the issue in public and
South Africa allegedly
drawing political capital out of
it, Saturday Tribune was told
that the Nigerian government
would have no choice than to
react appropriately.
Government officials in
Nigeria, especially those in
security circle, were also
said to have been
embarrassed by the
undisguised move by
Pretoria to allegedly blow the
tragedy in Synagogue out of
proportion by mentioning
casualty figure that did not
reflect the realities on
ground.