Diezani Alison-Madueke, a controversial
minister from former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration was
recently interviewed by Dele Momodu, a renowned Nigerian journalist,
publisher, businessman and Ovation International magazine owner.
During the interview which was published on TheBoss online newspaper, the former minister of petroleum who is undergoing cancer treatment in a private London hospital, opened up on a number of issues.
Below are revelations from her.
1. My sister doesn’t have a child for Jonathan:
The former minister wondered how anyone could fabricate such tales saying, “That is totally untrue as I don’t have any such sister or relative!”
2. My relationship with Patience Jonathan was cordial:
Diezani said she gave the former First Lady the respect she should give the wife of her boss.
3. I never had intimate relationship with the former president:
According to her, Jonathan’s family and hers have been family friends for long as her mother Beatrice Agama, has always played the role of a godmother in the Niger Delta and is loved by all the militants.
“If you are in the corridor of power, you must expect anything, including mud and even bricks being thrown at you,” she said.
4. She denies being involved with many young men:
When asked about the relationship between her and Chris Aire, Kola Aluko, Jide Omokore, Tonye Cole, Dapo Abiodun, Wale Tinubu, Igho Sanomi and others, she replied: “I vehemently deny any intimacy or liaison with any of these gentlemen.”
She explained that some of these men were unknown to her until she became a minister and they later enjoyed a cordial relationship.
According to her, she is happily married and would not do anything to jeopardise her marriage or smear herself in the eyes of her husband, children and family.
5. I’ve never stolen Nigeria’s money:
Speaking on the alleged disappearance of $20billion and other wasteful spending authorised by he, the ailing minister wondered how such an amount would disappear just like that.
She said: “If there is one issue I must pursue in this world it is the biggest lie of this money. How can $20billion disappear just like that? Where did it disappear to? Is it possible that such an amount would not be traceable? This is more painful coming from someone I considered a good friend who should appreciate the gravity of such allegation. I challenge anyone to come forward with facts showing that I stole government or public money. I’ve never stolen Nigeria’s money…”
6. Emir Sanusi wanted to be president of African Development Bank (AfDB):
The former minister said she and the former CBN governor who is now the Emir of Kano were good friends. She disclosed that he came to her house to inform her about his interest in heading the African Development Bank. They discussed for about two hours and she promised to support him.
7. I don’t own choice properties everywhere:
According to Diezani she has been living with her husband in the same house since their marriage in 1999. She said her husband bought their house in Abuja in 2007 and she decorated it to their taste which is not over the top.
She said: “Anyone who tells you I have houses anywhere should feel free to publish them. That was how they said I bought an expensive property in Vienna. I went to court and I won the case. I never saw the house before except in picture. The house I stay in London is rented. As a woman I love to look good. Some of my dresses and jewelleries are often dumped on me by those I buy from and I pay them when I can.”
During the interview which was published on TheBoss online newspaper, the former minister of petroleum who is undergoing cancer treatment in a private London hospital, opened up on a number of issues.
An exclusive with the former oil minister was the central topic for the launch of TheBoss
1. My sister doesn’t have a child for Jonathan:
The former minister wondered how anyone could fabricate such tales saying, “That is totally untrue as I don’t have any such sister or relative!”
2. My relationship with Patience Jonathan was cordial:
Diezani said she gave the former First Lady the respect she should give the wife of her boss.
3. I never had intimate relationship with the former president:
According to her, Jonathan’s family and hers have been family friends for long as her mother Beatrice Agama, has always played the role of a godmother in the Niger Delta and is loved by all the militants.
“If you are in the corridor of power, you must expect anything, including mud and even bricks being thrown at you,” she said.
4. She denies being involved with many young men:
When asked about the relationship between her and Chris Aire, Kola Aluko, Jide Omokore, Tonye Cole, Dapo Abiodun, Wale Tinubu, Igho Sanomi and others, she replied: “I vehemently deny any intimacy or liaison with any of these gentlemen.”
She explained that some of these men were unknown to her until she became a minister and they later enjoyed a cordial relationship.
According to her, she is happily married and would not do anything to jeopardise her marriage or smear herself in the eyes of her husband, children and family.
5. I’ve never stolen Nigeria’s money:
Speaking on the alleged disappearance of $20billion and other wasteful spending authorised by he, the ailing minister wondered how such an amount would disappear just like that.
She said: “If there is one issue I must pursue in this world it is the biggest lie of this money. How can $20billion disappear just like that? Where did it disappear to? Is it possible that such an amount would not be traceable? This is more painful coming from someone I considered a good friend who should appreciate the gravity of such allegation. I challenge anyone to come forward with facts showing that I stole government or public money. I’ve never stolen Nigeria’s money…”
Diezani before and after.
The former minister said she and the former CBN governor who is now the Emir of Kano were good friends. She disclosed that he came to her house to inform her about his interest in heading the African Development Bank. They discussed for about two hours and she promised to support him.
7. I don’t own choice properties everywhere:
According to Diezani she has been living with her husband in the same house since their marriage in 1999. She said her husband bought their house in Abuja in 2007 and she decorated it to their taste which is not over the top.
She said: “Anyone who tells you I have houses anywhere should feel free to publish them. That was how they said I bought an expensive property in Vienna. I went to court and I won the case. I never saw the house before except in picture. The house I stay in London is rented. As a woman I love to look good. Some of my dresses and jewelleries are often dumped on me by those I buy from and I pay them when I can.”
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