Connect with us

Opinions

Soyonga, Societe Bank and the things around Bukola Saraki’s neck

Published

on

The evil man does live with them and even after them. The hands can still burn from the heat of (evil) pounded yam served 20 years ago.

 

These were the thoughts on my mind as I read through the article written by one Soyonga Umar on how his father and some of his friends lost their hard-earned savings to Societe Generale Bank’s bankruptcy in 1989. He made many damning allegations with certainty and poise only an insider could do. And just as I thought it would be fine to hear from the Saraki family on this perennial issue, I just saw a rather drab and empty article, apparently a rejoinder to his claims, being shared by Sarakites in Bukola Saraki’s defence. That cannot stand.

 

For the Sarakis it has been 33 long years, but Shoyonga remembered it like it happened yesterday. Like many who were direct and indirect victims of the incident, it has remained anguish that has failed to vanish. So, if he is to be engaged on these issues, only factual and logical explanations about the legendary scandal is appreciable. I feel this provides an opportunity for them and the people to know the truth of this story of pain, blood, and tears.

 

Olusola Saraki had set up a branch of the Societe Generale Bank in Nigeria sometime in the early 80s alongside his friend Chief Kutoye. He reportedly sourced funds from his friends in the National Party of Nigeria (UPN) who deposited their monies in his bank out of loyalty to their friendship and in support of his dream.

 

Soyonga Snr who was a retiree of NTA had also put his retirement savings in the bank. Other eminent fellows like Dantata and Sons also reportedly put in pension funds. Many of these people especially the poor, powerless people could not receive their money after the bank went under for strange reasons.

 

The issue here is that Bukola was the (de facto MD) detained in Alagbon he was the ED Managing Director of the bank. Soyonga holds strongly that the intention of the father and son was suspect and alleged that, with the manners of its investigation, Bukola and father had set up the unsuspecting friends and family to dupe them. I think these are really outrageous claims but they are not impossible.

 

For instance, why did the Sarakis allegedly remove $200m (Two Hundred Million Dollars) from the bank just before declaring bankruptcy?

 

Why did EFCC leave the MD and was chasing after the bank director for the fraud?

 

How did two European investigators of Societe Generale Bank die in their hotel rooms?.

 

Is it true that thousands of people have gone to early grave over this matter without their money being refunded?

 

From business to career and politics, Soyonga asked many questions. The disaster is that Sarakites have refused to answer them and instead went after Governor AbdulRazaq. I found that very funny. It is unwise to leave the issues raised by the author and resort to attacking the Governor on the account of his friendship with the author without restraint. That Soyonga had ever filed for bankruptcy is not a crime anywhere in the world. (even President trump filed for bankruptcy and went on to become American number 1 citizen) So, if the only reason they are calling the writer a convict is because he once filed for bankruptcy, then their education is open to question. I’d advise them to face the issues raised by the author and the author himself, rather than taking the Governor as their punching bag.

 

Now, I am getting curious, what is Saraki’s source of enormous wealth? What businesses or career is he into? Where are his companies located and how many people does he employ?

 

Bukola Saraki used 8 years in the senate 4 of those as Senate president, what legacy projects

 

If truly he did, why did Bukola sell the Kwara Public Park, a huge expanse of public recreation land to Shoprite, more so at a giveaway price?

 

The article ‘Olusola, Bukola, my father and me’ is timely. Soyonga said these issues are personal for him. He was wrong. These are state matters. It could not have been direr now that Saraki is gunning for the presidency. A serious explanation of his past stewardship in the public and private sectors is important to people in the interest of probity and justice. That’s the hallmark of democracy.

 

Now instead of the previous drab article released by the Sarakites, they are expected to come up with a detailed response to these allegations and questions if they truly want to help him. We can’t leave these issues for the tissues of the matter! They should kindly leave AbdulRazaq out of it and take this thorny thing off their master’s troubled neck first! If Saraki feels about this strongly … soyonga should be sued.. for defamation of character.

 

 

 

Imam Abdullahi, a public affairs analyst writes from Ilorin.

Governance

List of Governors That Handed Over Without Owing Salaries

Published

on

Some governors are leaving office without owing workers’ salaries in their 8 years of service to the people of their state.

These governors are handing over to their successors after serving their states for 8 years terms, though there are some governors who were owing workers’ salaries as they leave and left the burden for the incoming administration.

As these governors leave office on Monday, May 29, some of them not owing salaries have been listed below, the list does not mean the outgoing governors are or are not owing pensions or arrears in their state.

1. Nasir El-Rufai

One of the governors handing over on May 29 without owing workers’ salaries is Nasir El-Rufai, the outgoing governor of Kaduna state.

El-Rufai was considered one of the performing governors throughout his 8 years of administration in the state.

2. Abdullahi Ganduje

The immediate past governor of Kano state is one of the governors that left behind the legacy of not owing workers’ salaries.

Unfortunately, the governor could not install his anointed candidate during the March 18 governorship election due to protest votes against his administration in the state.

3. Okezie Ikpeazu

The Abia state governor that just left office was one of the governors who left office and the workers in the state were happy because he was not owing the workers.

A few days to leave office, Ikpeazu ordered the immediate payment of all the civil servants in the state and cleared himself the debt.

4. Udom Emmanuel

Emmanuel, who just handed over the affairs of the Akwa Ibom state, has handed over a state free of the state from owing salary.

The governor was the campaign chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign council.

The governor of Kebbi state did not owe workers’ salaries for his 8 years of administering the northwest state.

Bagudu, who was the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, was very instrumental in the campaign and victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 presidential election

Continue Reading

Entertainment

“I have been acting for decades yet I jump on buses everyday” – Iya Gbonkan laments

Published

on

Veteran Nollywood actress, Iya Gbonkan laments over not owning a car despite acting for decades as she seeks help from fans.

The 64-year-old made the cry for help in a video which has surfaced on social media.

Iya Gbonkan laments over not owning a car. Photo Credit: Iya Gbonkan. Source: Google.

According to her, she’s been in the movie making business for decades and yet, she still jumps on buses at her age and do not own a car of her own.

She said that people should celebrate her now she’s still among the living, not killing a cow when she has passed on.

Iya Gbonkan said:

“I have been acting for decades yet I don’t have a car. I jump on buses every day. If I die now, you will kill a cow. Celebrate me now that I am alive. I need a car from my fans”

Continue Reading

General

Tribunal: Reaffirm your independence, Obi tells judiciary

Published

on

The Labour Party presidential candidate during the last presidential election, Peter Obi, has urged the Nigerian judiciary to utilise the election cases before it to reaffirm its integrity.

Obi, a former Anambra State governor, also urged Nigerians to face the current reality and seek ways to change the bad narratives through legal and acceptable means.

The former governor made the call on Monday morning, hours to the inauguration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu.

The PUNCH reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Tinubu the winner of the February 25, 2023, presidential poll. The former Lagos State governor defeated Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party to win the election.

Dissatisfied with the outcome of the poll, Obi and Atiku approached the court to reclaim their “mandate”. The duo claimed the election was marred with irregularities and that they both won the poll.

But in a series of tweets on his verified Twitter handle on Monday, Obi explained that it had become imperative for Nigerians and his supporters to review “our missed opportunities and disappointments”.

He also said it was important for the Nigerian judiciary to prove its independence to Nigerians.

“For all Nigerians, this is a time for deep reflection. It is also a time to re-examine our assumptions, even as we reaffirm our hopes. Let us calmly review our aspirations, in order to recalibrate our expectations and pin down the causes of our missed opportunities and disappointments.

“We stand at that critical moment in time when, as a people, we must collectively come to grips with the reality of our injured destiny as well as the reasons for that injury. It is for us to reassess our plight as a young democracy and identify clear pathways to a better and greater future for us all.

“As we await the verdict of the election tribunal, I urge all Nigerians to use this opportunity to renew their commitment to the Nigerian ideal. That ideal remains noble and worth every sacrifice we can make.

“Nigeria remains our only patrimony and it is a patrimony we must protect, rather than violate. We have no other nation but this, so let us remain committed to rescuing and rebuilding it.

“The judiciary is part of the democratic enterprise and a critical governance tool for determining the propriety of the decisions and actions of every citizen and every institution of state. To that extent, and for that reason,

“I urge everyone to treat it with the respect and dignity it deserves. We expect that the Nigerian judiciary will use the election cases now before it to reaffirm its independence and integrity. It has to do so, for all our sakes and for itself.

“Nigerians must, therefore, remain peaceful and law-abiding. No matter the depth of anyone’s reservations about what is going on in the polity today, no matter the real and imagined provocations, and no matter the disagreement out there, we should remember that this will not last forever.

“I remain committed, and untiring, in my determination to work with like-minded fellow Nigerians to end the curse of missed opportunities and squandered hope that has become our lot here.

“I will never shrink from that original commitment, because I firmly believe that we must change from the present politics of criminality, and corruption, in order to make a new Nigeria possible.

“I call on fellow Nigerians, especially the youths to remain steadfast, calm, patient, and peaceful. Our journey may be long and difficult but it is worth it in every way. Victory is assured. We have to work together to move our beautiful country from corruption and criminality to a centre of productivity rather than aimless consumption.”

Continue Reading

Trending