Why I sacked ex-EFCC boss, Farida Waziri – Goodluck Jonathan

Nigeria’s Ex-President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has branded former Chairperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri, as a liar for saying that she was fired from office because of her probe of some oil racketeers.

But the former President said Waziri was sacked based on Nigeria’s interest and global standing.

A statement issued by Ikechukwu Eze, Media Adviser to Jonathan on Monday said the former president read media reports credited to Waziri, in which she claimed in her new book that she was removed from because of her probe of some oil racketeers.

“We thought we had dealt with this matter, after promptly debunking similar statements she made in the past. In 2017 when she claimed that she lost her job because she “refused to back down from the probe of one of the masterminds of the fuel subsidy scam”, we quickly refuted and clarified the claim for the records, and even challenged her to name the individual or company in question.

“We had expected that a book from Mrs. Farida, coming years after the claim was first made, should have towed the path of honour by telling the truth for the benefit of history. Unfortunately, that still didn’t happen. It will be recalled that after assuming office as President on May 6, 2010, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan decided to retain Mrs. Waziri, who was appointed by his predecessor, late President Umaru Yar’Adua, as the head of the elite anti-crime agency.

“Despite obvious disenchantment from many Nigerians and mounting international pressure against Mrs. Waziri’s continued stay in office, the former President stood by her, in line with his conviction that every public officer should first be given the opportunity to deliver on his or her mandate.

“It must be pointed out that former President Jonathan had no personal issues with Mrs. Waziri. The former President had to eventually let her go in the national interest. Her removal therefore has a lot to do with reasons relating to Nigeria’s interest and global standing which details Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is obliged to keep as state secret in our common national interest. It is very important to note that when dealing with the interest of the nation and the performance of the functions of a public office, a determined leader cannot prioritise the interest of an individual,” the statement said.

According to the statement, it therefore bore repeating here that Waziri’s removal as chairperson of EFCC had absolutely nothing to do with her purported refusal to desist from probing any oil individual, saying this claim sounded rather superficial and contradicted available evidence of the then government’s genuine efforts to combat oil subsidy racketeering.

The statement said it was noteworthy that throughout Jonathan’s tenure, he made practical efforts to combat the alleged oil cabals, including directing the stoppage of further payment of fuel subsidy claims to oil importers, and the setting up of the Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede-led committee which had high level representation from all the intelligence agencies, including the EFCC, with a mandate to thoroughly investigate the scandals in the industry.

“The choice of Aig-Aigboje, a man widely acclaimed for his dependability, as leader of the committee, was a clear demonstration that the President had no personal interest in the matter. Those who choose to continue to rue, like Mrs. Waziri, over the loss of public positions should realise that such a position, which is a public trust, is not an entitlement.

“They are usually given to individuals to provide service to the people. Public officers should therefore see such transitions as their own personal sacrifice to the nation. It is in this light that Mrs. Farida Waziri should view her removal from office. It was nothing personal. It was everything patriotic,” the statement stated.

in which she claimed in her new book that she was removed from because of her probe of some oil racketeers.

sholatech:
The way she keeps referring to this ehn..Its like the sack pained her!

Looking back, i dont think we have had any EFCC chair brazenly living a luxurious lifestyle while heading an anti-corruption agency.

in which she claimed in her new book that she was removed from because of her probe of some oil racketeers.

firo08:
Mrs waziri you where relieved of your duties based on Nigeria's interest and global standing. Stop shifting blames in order to earn pity from the public.
Madam put your past behind you and take responsibility of your actions.
Stop dragging this innocent man.

muykem:
This response also collaborate Mrs Waziri position. Nigeria interests and global standing that target only individual at EFCC helm of affair and can't be mentioned. I am not surprised though GEJ government is the most corrupt in history of this nation.

Validated:
In any case, her appointment was a call to service and NOT an entitlement. She was appointed and if found to no longer serve national interest, can be removed, which was what happened.

Simplyleo:
Lol.

Little did Waziri knew stealing wasn't corruption.

sixtuschimere:
Former First Lady Maryam Abacha on Thursday Dec 22 attended the foundation laying ceremony of new structures at Maryam Abacha American University,Niger by the First Lady of Niger Dr Lalla Malika Issofou.

Check out her new look


www.nairaland.com/attachments/4648579_fbimg1482517238155_jpeg3fe1b514520f2354d28ab2b6f5dd112e

abdelrahman:
Gamsu Abacha is making good of her family's legacy and popular motto of "no matter how poor they are, they will never be as poor as Dangote", Sagesse Gumsu, we get the drift, with a plate of meal like that? we dont see how you can be as poor as Dangote



www.nairaland.com/attachments/6198528_notitle2_jpegc0e3dbe3457af4904d41ec79cb6f53f7

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www..com/talktopic,279364.0.html&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwiDtqPi0aDXAhUDzWMKHR_8DL8QFggIMAE&usg=AOvVaw2z7TozEiA-5r_AzpwGQl1r

seunmsg:
As expected, Jonathan ended up saying nothing reasonable. He should have kept quiet instead of coming up with this watery defense. National interest and global standing kee you there.

Hoephase:
From I don't know what is subsidy to paying out trillion of naira as subsidy, I am sure your guess is as good as mine as to who the most corrupt president in the history of Nigeria is.

Simplyleo:

Lol.

Little did Waziri knew stealing wasn't corruption.

anonimi:


What else should we expect from the zonebee hailers of the incompetent dullard of no certificate



www.nairaland.com/attachments/9903820_fbimg15631860052698958_jpegb05f41d787e0cd65b489071399f6956e

Honestly, you don't have common sense! Why must people like you resort to this tactics of total deviation from main point of discuss and embak on pettiness each time a corrupt



www.nairaland.com/attachments/2026486_buharinoschool_jpeg7b091b4b2030902d513c2f395f96a19d