Former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has lambasted former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on her revelations that he tried to dissuade her from joining the Goodluck Jonathan administration in order to undermine it.
Mrs Okonjo-Iweala had in a new book titled ‘fighting corruption is dangerous’ revealed that Mr. Duke visited her in Washington DC, USA and asked her not to accept an impending appointment.
The revelation by the former minister drew widespread reaction, prompting Mr. Duke took to use his Twitter handle to react to the allegation, on Wednesday.
He admitted that it is true he met with Mrs Okonjo-Oweala “when the rumours were swirling about her being considered for appointment.”
He also said “as friends” and with Mrs Okonjo-Iweala “having been literally dismissed from an earlier appointment as finance minister,” he simply urged caution.
Dear Nigerian Youths.. Thank you for your comcerns . Attached is my response regarding Ngozi’s… pic.twitter.com/IbQi75q7t5
— Donald Duke (@Donald_Duke) April 25, 2018
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Here is the full text.
It is true I met with Ngozi when the rumors were swirling about her being considered for appointment.
As “friends”, she having been literally dismissed from an earlier appointment as f1nance minister, I urged caution.
I made no mention of adding or subtracting credibility to anyone or government.
It was “two friends” discussing careers. It ended there and she subsequently made her choice which I respected. However, I think it is in poor taste and demeaning of her to report a private conversation in whatever self laundering attempt she may be up to. With hindsight, I was vindicated, Ngozi, as Minister of Finance and Economy, despite massive revenue receipts, left Nigeria poorer than she met it.
