Ex-petroleum Minister, Etete, Returns From Exile To Contest For Governorship

The former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Dan Etete, arrived the country on Wednesday after eight years in self-exile in France.

Etete, who was a minister in the regime of the late General Sani Abacha, reportedly left the country in 1998 after the demise of the maximum ruler.

In the early days of the current democratic dispensation, President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration embarked on a tacit probe of Etete’s tenure as minister, especially as regards the award of oil blocks during the Abacha regime. The Obasanjo administration voided the awards over claims that the beneficiaries got them in questionable circumstances.

Some of the blocks have also been the subject of litigation both within and outside Nigeria and had also been scrutinised by the National Assembly. Etete was specifically accused of using his office to award the oil block covered by oil prospecting licence 245 to himself.

An aide of the former minister, who declined to be named, said the former minister returned to take an active part in politics and may contest for the governorship of his state, Bayelsa.

He said, “He arrived the country on Wednesday morning via the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and was received by scores of friends and associates. His political ambition will be unfolded in due course. He definitely has a role to play in unfolding political developments as the 2007 elections draw near and as the first core Ijaw man to be appointed a federal minister, particularly in charge of petroleum.

“He has been under pressure to join the Peoples Democratic Party but he is yet to declare his stand,” the source said.

When our correspondent met Etete, he explained that he returned to Nigeria in recognition of the fact that he had a role to play in restoring peace to the Niger Delta.

“Yes, it is true that I have a role to play in the political terrain. But what is important to me is to be involved with those on the ground to ensure peace in that environment. That is my priority. I have just arrived the country. I want to see how things are moving. As an elder statesman, I want to see what role I can play in ensuring peace and stability.”

Asked whether he was not afraid of being arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Etete replied, “I do not anticipate such. My hands are clean. I am a free citizen. In fact, I want to use this opportunity to thank the President for the opportunity given me to return home and to also thank my friends, family and relations who have been supportive and consistent.”


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dan etete is deceiving himself EFCC will soon arrest him i'm sure of it why did'nt he just stay in france in his multi million dollar castle he lives in France that was reported in the guardian he used his office to enrich himself and did nothing for his people from the proceeds from his loot i just don't know why thieves think they can contest for any office in nigeria instead of being ashamed of themselves after being exposed of being corrupt and be languishing in jail they still continue to walk the streets free.

i think he must have bribed the immigration people to let him into the country!!

they should have arrested him at the airport

what is wrong with journalists in nigeria? they just chat shyt!

I would have said' I CRY FOR NIGERIA' but i know i shl be laughing instead.,
When a thieving elder stateman has declared his intention to further loot us blind, in an era we can comfortably describe as a new dawn!

Dan Etete remains a goner even now that he's back.

He  sure can't oust the incumbent and will never be able to get that sit even at the expiration of the incumbents tenure, so there's no case about him. It's already decided.

Don't this people have any morals? how can they continue to loot the and deprive every Nigerian a good life and still continue to act as if they haven't committed any crime?

 

           welcome at home dan . je suis tres heureuse pour toi j espere que tu lira ce message comme tu le voir je suis encore la bonne chance .good luck

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