PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s office released a statement on Wednesday to address concerns over what was widely reported as his admission that he solicited and received help for the renovation of an aging church building, and the construction of another 2,500-seater church building, both in his hometown of Otuoke in Bayelsa State.
According the to the press release signed by the presidential adviser on media matters, Dr. Reuben Abati, the notion that the president engaged in any untoward act of corruption was not only a “surprise” but a “laughable” one, coming from “political opponents and collaborators” who like making issues out of nothing.
“It should be clear to all knowledgeable and discerning Nigerians that these allegations are nothing other than another mischievous attempt to denigrate President Jonathan, cast unjustifiable aspersions on his personal integrity and distract him from the serious business of governance,” said the statement, dismissing of the charges of corruption.
The president denied in the statement that he or his office ever solicited and received any bribe from any contractor, explaining that it is not unusual for major contractors in Nigeria to give back to communities where they have profit-yielding contractual obligations. This, the presidency described as “social responsibilities.”
“For the benefit of the unwary who might be taken in by the antics of an unscrupulous opposition that has little or no regard for the truth in the pursuit of their self-serving agenda, the Presidency wishes to state emphatically that President Jonathan never solicited or received a church as “bribe” from any contractor.
“Yes, a contractor who has worked and continues to work in Bayelsa state and other parts of Nigeria thought it fit, in fulfillment of its corporate social responsibility, to facilitate the renovation of the small church in the President’s home town of Otuoke.
It takes a lot of desperation to translate this act of social responsibility for which there are innumerable precedents in our country into a crime for which the usual suspects are now calling for the “impeachment” of President Jonathan.
“It is indeed ironic that the groups and individuals now castigating the President because a company freely chose to fulfill its corporate social responsibility by helping to renovate a communal place of worship, are also amongst those who constantly berate companies doing business in the Niger Delta for not doing enough to support the development of their host communities.
“Examples of such corporate assistance to communities, cities and states abound across Nigeria. The President’s accusers are certainly not unaware of the fact that the famous Millennium Park in Abuja was donated to the city by a construction company, but we do not recall that anyone was ever accused of receiving the park or other similar communal projects as a bribe.
“For the avoidance of any doubt whatsoever, the renovated church in Otuoke does not belong to President Jonathan or his family. The Church belongs to the Anglican Communion and the entire Otuoke Community. It has existed for generations and is not a new church “donated” to President Jonathan by his “contractor friend” as is being mischievously alleged.
President Jonathan has not committed any crime or violation of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers by being present at the dedication of the very humble community church building and publicly acknowledging the assistance of a corporate entity in its renovation.
Those peddling allegations to the contrary know very well that their charges are baseless and unsustainable. If they must oppose for the sake of opposition, let them desist from peddling patent falsehoods and make a greater effort to be a responsible opposition by offering intelligent and constructive criticism.