Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s office has debunked the claim by the Afrobeat singer Femi Kuti that he (Jonathan) was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over allegations of fraud when he was deputy governor of Bayelsa State.
On Friday, a statement issued by Wealth Ominabo, a media officer in the former president’s office, described the claim as false and baseless.
Ominabo pointed out that Kuti may have been misled by fake information previously circulated by unscrupulous politicians. He emphasized that the anti-graft agency had already cleared Jonathan of wrongdoing during the mentioned period.
“We have recently viewed Femi Kuti’s video broadcast, where he attempted to clarify his stance on the Federal Government’s removal of fuel subsidy,” Ominabo stated. “However, in the process, Femi unnecessarily dragged former President Goodluck Jonathan into the matter by alleging that Dr. Jonathan was invited by the EFCC during his tenure as deputy governor of Bayelsa State.”
“We would have disregarded this false claim, as we have done in the past, if it hadn’t come from Mr. Kuti, an internationally acclaimed musician and patriot whom we greatly respect,” Ominabo added.
While distancing himself from corrupt politicians, Kuti had claimed in the video, “Let me remind you that Jonathan was wanted by the EFCC as a Vice Governor (we guess he meant Deputy Governor) of Bayelsa State.”
“This unfounded claim is an outright lie, fabricated and repeatedly propagated in the media by mischievous individuals for political gain,” Ominabo rebutted. “We have made this clear before and we reiterate it now: President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s name was never included in any EFCC list of corrupt governors or deputy governors. We challenge anyone, including Femi, to prove otherwise.”
Ominabo continued, “Let us remind Femi and others that the former Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, who was in office during President Jonathan’s tenure as deputy governor, unequivocally dismissed those allegations as falsehoods concocted by political opportunists.”
“It is disheartening that a respected figure like Femi, who is seen as a voice of reason and truth, has suddenly resorted to spreading fake news and misinformation,” Ominabo expressed disappointment.
“We urge Femi and others like him to exercise their right to express their opinions on national issues freely, without resorting to falsehoods and tarnishing the hard-earned reputation of individuals.”
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