Editor’s note:
Dele Momodu, the veteran journalist politician, entrepreneur and the Ovation magazine publisher, has recently been in the centre of attention over his “candid letter” to the embattled Senate president Bukola Saraki. In this interview with Nonye Ben-Nwankwo and Gbenro Adeoye of ThePunch, Momodu tells more on his relations with Senator Saraki, shares his views on the current state of the nation, the Buhari government and presidential jets. Read the excerpts below:

About the state of Nigeria

The state of the country now is a bit volatile. Don’t forget that a very strong political party was voted out of power last year, so naturally, the tension is still there. But my attitude to it is that the tension can be tackled by the government. There is nothing happening in Nigeria that has not happened elsewhere. My attitude is that every Nigerian, whether in the Peoples Democratic Party, the All Progressives Congress, the National Conscience Party, the Labour Party or whichever, must join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari to rescue Nigeria and he too must join hands with them.

About the Buhari administration

I’d say we could do better. I’m not on the hot seat; I’m not the president of Nigeria, so there are things he would know that I don’t know. He would have access to more information than the ordinary man on the street. But I believe that Nigerians are very agitated at the moment. I’m seeing a lot of complaints on social media and all kinds of caricatures. You would think the government has been in power for four years. In less than one year, people are already abusing us. What I know about government and power is that people (who are close to him) hardly tell the leader the truth. They tell him what they think he wants to hear; they tell him everything is under control. “Oh! Don’t mind the disgruntled elements.” In government, everybody is always disgruntled. This time last year, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s boys were busy abusing us thoroughly. There was nothing they didn’t say. But we knew we had to carry on with our mission, based on principle. I’m not a member of the APC or the PDP, but people don’t know. I was just a volunteer. Our generation, I believe, is different. These days, nobody thinks that anyone can do anything based on principles. They think it must be based on political affiliations, religious fraternity and so on. I’m just a Nigerian who wants Nigeria to be good.

About presidential jets

I think we have too many presidential jets right now; that is my opinion. I believe that we have too many and even Buhari himself had criticised that before he became the president. So I don’t know what they are waiting for. I think we are spending too much money flying round. Each time they fly, they tell me they have reduced the entourage but I don’t think so.

About ministerial aspiration

No, I wasn’t disappointed (on not being included to the Buhari’s list of ministers). I actually wrote an article before the list came out on why I believed my name would not be there. People were circulating some names. But to start with, I’m not a member of their party. Anybody who wants to be a minister, an ambassador, the first prerequisite usually is to be a member of the political party. It is even almost a constitutional thing. Till today, I have never left my party, the NCP. So if I was desperate for an appointment, I would have left my party. Nobody would drive me away if I want to join the APC.

About meeting the former minister of petroleum Diezani Alison-Maduekwe


This is a woman who every reasonable journalist in the world would love to interview. People interviewed Osama Bin Laden. If it was in Nigeria, people would say they paid you to promote terrorism. They would change the word reportage to promotion. That is what they do anytime because Dele is not supposed to be a poor person, he is a flamboyant man, so everything he does must be for financial considerations. What insult! I’m older than Diezani.
An exclusive with the former oil minister was the central topic for the launch of TheBoss Look, I’m the only one who knows how I gain access to people. When I contacted someone who I would like to speak to Diezani, the person told her and she said, ‘Ha, no no no, Dele is our enemy’. That was the first thing she said and the person told me. I said I was nobody’s enemy; whatever she says is what I would reproduce. A journalist must be able to give his word. People are abusing me for interviewing Diezani; what crime have I committed? Did I write in the interview that Diezani did not steal money? Where did I write it? Did I write that Diezani was the best minister in Nigeria? What did I write? Just questions and answers! Is it true that you have cancer? I took pictures with my phone and they accused me of doctoring pictures.

About Bukola Saraki

Some people are attacking me now for supporting Saraki. Why? Because I said we must resist the impunity of a man suddenly becoming a villain only when government is fighting him. And it happens every time, right from Obasanjo’s time. If a governor was not in support of Obasanjo, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission would go and pick him. I resisted it at that time. I wrote an open letter to Nuhu Ribadu that it was impunity and that it was not good to set fire on an entire village to catch a few rats. His guys came back at me seriously. I almost sued This Day Newspaper because it was used to libel me for speaking the truth. But at the end of the day, Ribadu himself became a victim of impunity and he had to flee the country. So if they are fighting Tinubu, I don’t talk. They are fighting Saraki, I don’t talk. The day they come for me too, there will be nobody to talk. Details on Punch.

https://www.naij.com/809031-think-many-presidential-jets-right-now-dele-momodu.html?source=index_main

He is relatively sincere.

Before the election many Nigerians thought Buhari was a modest man.

Dele eyes are now clear.

Uncle Dele promoting his dead party NCP

cc
ngeneukwenu omenka demdem passingshot midolian abduljabbar4 HungerBAD koboko69 modath

Anyone with contrary opinion here is an obvious paid hand, tinubu's benefactor or direct Apc and current govt prevellegencia.
Dele Momodu "sinachi" true true, i swear

This guy is insightful, he has just divulged nothing but the truth though I take exception to Saraki case: I think he needs to clear all the allegations level against him. I don't see this as a witch hunt but rather as a way of sending a deeper message to those folk that might be contemplating same. I think fighting corruption must start somewhere.

So did Buhari Purchase another Jet(s) ??

Answer is NO


So , how come all of a sudden you realize Nigeria has too many presidential JETS??


You didn't think to say that when GEJ and Wife and associates took a convoy of Jets to an African country and Nigeria became a laughing stock ??


I smell a hypocrite from 1 mile away

DaBullIT:
So did Buhari Purchase another Jet(s) ??

Answer is NO


So , how come all of a sudden you realize Nigeria has too many presidential JETS??


You didn't think to say that when GEJ and Wife and associates took a convoy of Jets to an African country and Nigeria became a laughing stock ??


I smell a hypocrite from 1 mile away

But sir, Buhari is now known not to be a man of his words just like other politicians. ...
He promised to reduce the fleet... didnt he

Dat how d old man lied that he doesn't know wat fuel subsidy is..

How long will an old man kip lying... Dat Buhari no dey fear God o...

Politics in Nigeria...do or die affair.

That old man is more sensible and more experienced than you are

Don't take this the wrong way , if you or any of your family was smarter than him, you'd be the president by now

that said , Most of the statements credited to him are always twists by the media

He said he does not appreciate Subsidy , he hasn't paid subsidy in 4 months and look at what marketers are doing to our economy ? look at how scarce they made petrol and how hard life is for the masses ? I am not sure if Buhari released any money in form of subsidy , but i know for sure , Thousands if not tens of thousands of petrol is being delivered nationwide , what that will achieve i do not know

As for the fleet , he promised to reduce the fleet , but do you know any other country or individual who wants to buy a fairly used by Nigerian Presidential jet ? There was a time when i saw an advert on OLX or somewhere not sure, one of the jets was posted for sale , how it went i wouldn't know , So if nobody (Country or Individual ) has not shown interest in buying that Jet , i do not think there's much Buhari can do and as you would probably know , Buhari has not taken presidential convoy to any country , so i think only one of the jets is being used



Old man is not lying , think for yourself and don't let evil media corrupt your mind

crixtex:


But sir, Buhari is now known not to be a man of his words just like other politicians. ...
He promised to reduce the fleet... didnt he

Dat how d old man lied that he doesn't know wat fuel subsidy is..

How long will an old man kip lying... Dat Buhari no dey fear God o...

lalasticlala

This Momodu's wailing is now getting out of hand. He may soon decamp

I have to agree with some of the points Momodu made even as I am still a supporter of Buhari and believes he will get it right. The planes are a sticking point for me and Mr.President , in this very austere period for Nigeria, should make serious effort to drastically reduce the Presidential fleet and free Nigeria from their monumental maintenance budget. The Presidential fleet was one of the point I made repeatedly as a sign of the profligacy and anti-people callousness of the PDP and I believe Buhari should now treat the disposal of this unacceptably large fleet with the urgency it deserves because it calls into question his dedication and determination to doing things differently to the PDP.

DaBullIT:
That old man is more sensible and more experienced than you are

Don't take this the wrong way , if you or any of your family was smarter than him, you'd be the president by now

that said , Most of the statements credited to him are always twists by the media

He said he does not appreciate Subsidy , he hasn't paid subsidy in 4 months and look at what marketers are doing to our economy ? look at how scarce they made petrol and how hard life is for the masses ? I am not sure if Buhari released any money in form of subsidy , but i know for sure , Thousands if not tens of thousands of petrol is being delivered nationwide , what that will achieve i do not know

As for the fleet , he promised to reduce the fleet , but do you know any other country or individual who wants to buy a fairly used by Nigerian Presidential jet ? There was a time when i saw an advert on OLX or somewhere not sure, one of the jets was posted for sale , how it went i wouldn't know , So if nobody (Country or Individual ) has not shown interest in buying that Jet , i do not think there's much Buhari can do and as you would probably know , Buhari has not taken presidential convoy to any country , so i think only one of the jets is being used



Old man is not lying , think for yourself and don't let evil media corrupt your mind

Lol. He said he will float a national carrier or so from those jets.

Who sells a presidential jet on OLX?

Lol

Liar

DaBullIT:
So did Buhari Purchase another Jet(s) ??

Answer is NO


So , how come all of a sudden you realize Nigeria has too many presidential JETS??


You didn't think to say that when GEJ and Wife and associates took a convoy of Jets to an African country and Nigeria became a laughing stock ??


I smell a hypocrite from 1 mile away

There was a reason Nigerians voted out GEJ and PDP so something is wrong somewhere if you are still using a corrupt government to compare a sincere one. I thought you guys voted change and not similarities?

Frankiss44:


There was a reason Nigerians voted out GEJ and PDP so something is wrong somewhere if you are still using a corrupt government to compare a sincere one. I thought you guys voted change and not similarities?

Where is the comparison or the similarities you are talking about ? I said No country or individual has shown interest in buying the jets

I also said Buhari has not been taking convoy of jets around the world , there's no similarities Ok ?

and that said

After all, the past is our only real guide to the future, and historical analogies are instruments for distilling and organizing the past and converting it to a map by which we can navigate. Michael Mandelbaum

We always need the look into the past in order to see the path to future

vivalavida:


Lol. He said he will float a national carrier or so from those jets.

Who sells a presidential jet on OLX?

Lol

Liar

I can assure you i saw an advert on OLX , i just checked and the advert has been removed

but if it gives you joy , read from these links

https://www.naij.com/465547-buhari-orders-selling-of-9-presidential-jets.html

http://saharareporters.com/2015/06/19/president-buhari-sells-9-presidential-aircraft-reduce-government-costs

http://thenationonlineng.net/buhari-restricts-use-of-presidential-aircraft-by-wife-aides/

http://pulse.ng/local/buhari-president-orders-sale-of-9-presidential-aircraft-to-cut-cost-id3885015.html


Now go sit a corner and wail even more

DaBullIT:


I can assure you i saw an advert on OLX , i just checked and the advert has been removed

but if it gives you joy , read from these links

https://www.naij.com/465547-buhari-orders-selling-of-9-presidential-jets.html

http://saharareporters.com/2015/06/19/president-buhari-sells-9-presidential-aircraft-reduce-government-costs

http://thenationonlineng.net/buhari-restricts-use-of-presidential-aircraft-by-wife-aides/

http://pulse.ng/local/buhari-president-orders-sale-of-9-presidential-aircraft-to-cut-cost-id3885015.html


Now go sit a corner and wail even more

That news of him ordering the sale of the presidential jets was denied by his administration last year. It was a propaganda dished out to make it look like he is working but the dude wasnt buying any of that and promptly denied it cuz he isnt done catching fun on all 11 jets.

One of the links u put up there said he has stopped wifey and aides from using the jets. But wifey used one to send Dolapo Osibanjo to agatu the other day to deliver few bags of rice and some indomie

So tell another lie

Lying liar

Gbawe, I sight you. O kare o. Eku fuel scarcity.

I'm done

vivalavida:


That news of him ordering the sale of the presidential jets was denied by his administration last year. It was a propaganda dished out to make it look like he is working but the dude wasnt buying any of that and promptly denied it cuz he isnt done catching fun on all 11 jets.

One of the links u put up there said he has stopped wifey and aides from using the jets. But wifey used one to send Dolapo Osibanjo to agatu the other day to deliver few bags of rice and some indomie

So tell another lie

Lying liar

BekeeBuAgbara:
Before the election many Nigerians thought Buhari was a modest man.

and u are?

The truth is, dele momodu is not really supporting anyone, and also not happy for not being a minister. If he were a minister of information or spokesman to the president, he wld av been asking u to be patient.

before the presidential election buhari and APC criticized GEJ and PDP over the number of presidential jet. but since they got into office they have not sold a single presidential jet instead the dullard is busy touring round the world like a tourist in the presidential jets.
APC IS A SCAM.

LMFashions:
This Momodu's wailing is now getting out of hand. He may soon decamp

yeah, being denied a ministerial appointment can turn u into anything. Wailing is a small fraction of 'anything'

Gbawe:
I have to agree with some of the points Momodu made even as I am still a supporter of Buhari and believes he will get it right. The planes are a sticking point for me and Mr.President , in this very austere period for Nigeria, should make serious effort to drastically reduce the Presidential fleet and free Nigeria from their monumental maintenance budget. The Presidential fleet was one of the point I made repeatedly as a sign of the profligacy and anti-people callousness of the PDP and I believe Buhari should now treat the disposal of this unacceptably large fleet with the urgency it deserves because it calls into question his dedication and determination to doing things differently to the PDP.

When will you people understand that there's no difference between apc and pdp
what do you expect when 80% of former pdp is in apc.

if you claim to be intelligent but don't understand this fact hmmmm you might be deceiving yourself.
moreover this administration have failed already because you can only imagine the taste of feaces (shiit) from the aroma of fart

d mana wey dem buari dullard dey junket indiscriminately around d world na d major reason why buari no wan sell presidential jets. wetin him go use fly to indonesia next month

UbaniOgbonna:


When will you people understand that there's no difference between apc and pdp
what do you expect when 80% of former pdp is in apc.

if you claim to be intelligent but don't understand this fact hmmmm you might be deceiving yourself.
moreover this administration have failed already because you can only imagine the taste of feaces (shiit) from the aroma of fart

You must be an iPod yoot for classifying the sophisticated Gbawe-native of the state of osun as unintelligent.

UbaniOgbonna:


When will you people understand that there's no difference between apc and pdp
what do you expect when 80% of former pdp is in apc.

if you claim to be intelligent but don't understand this fact hmmmm you might be deceiving yourself.
moreover this administration have failed already because you can only imagine the taste of feaces (shiit) from the aroma of fart

Allow Gbawe to keep deceiving himself, APC and PDP; No difference. One is only claiming to be a saint. I expect Gbawe to reply you with a long epistle.