Vice President Kashim Shettima, Thursday, described himself as the “most demonised” public figure in the final years of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s administration.
Shettima, a former Borno state governor, stated this in Abuja during the public presentation of OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3bn Nigeria Oil Block, a book written by former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN).
He also explained how some notable figures in the government, including Adoke, saved him from being removed as governor by Jonathan.
The compendium details Adoke’s experience while the legal battle over the oil bloc lasted.
The 26-chapter book on the OPL 245, also known as the Malabu Oil deal scandal, centres on a 2011 agreement in which Royal Dutch Shell and Italy’s Eni paid $1.3 billion to acquire Nigeria’s deep-water oil licence.
The oil block is believed to hold nine billion barrels of crude.
Speaking at the event, Shettima said: “In the last four years of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, I was the most demonised person; I was the public enemy number one.
“There are two gentlemen seated here. Certain decisions are taken in a very rare peace circle. The President, the Vice President, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“In one of such conclaves, former President Goodluck Jonathan, with whom we have sheathed the sword and have now recalibrated our relationship, was muting the idea of removing this Borno governor.
“Aminu Tambuwal, the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, had the courage to tell the President that Your Excellency, you don’t have the powers to remove an elected councillor. The President was still not convinced; he muted the idea at the Federal Executive Council.”
Shettima added that Jonathan later brought up the idea at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting but was told by Adoke that such a move was unconstitutional.
The nation’s number two man expressed his admiration for Adoke’s courage, conviction and capacity to stand for what he believes in.
“He (Mr Adoke) told the then President that Mr. President you do not have the powers to remove a sitting governor, not even a councillor.
“They sought for the opinion of another SAN in the cabinet, Kabiru Turaki, who said I’m concurring with the opinion of my senior colleague.
“That was how the matter was laid to rest but that was how my relationship with Mr Adoke and Aminu Tambuwal became eternally sealed,” he stated.
On Adoke’s forgiving spirit, he said: “I commend you for forgiving all those that offended you during your ordeal. I admire Adoke for standing by his convictions.”
On why public figures should document their experiences in the line of duty, Shettima said: “Our stories are not ours alone. They belong to the public and to history. Every accused must speak. The pages of this book will inspire debate.”
…Jonathan speaks
In a message to the occasion, former President Jonathan recalled how the book author was being hunted worldwide over the OPL 245 oil deal.
The ex-president recalled that at the expiration of his administration’s tenure in 2015, Adoke, like others who served in the government, became targets of attacks and campaign of calumny.
Jonathan, who noted that the occasion was more than a book presentation, said, “It is a celebration of victory over persecution.”
Represented by Anyim Pius Anyim a former President of the Senate, Jonathan said: “The author of this memoir, Mr. Bello Adoke, was the Attorney-General of the Federation at that time.
“He was hunted across the globe. But today, he’s alive, he’s healthy, and he’s here to tell his story.”
Describing the book as a significant contribution to justice and nation-building, the former president lauded the author’s courage to put the record in the right perspective after the challenges posed by his ordeal.
Speaking on the ephemeral nature of power, Jonathan said: “Power belongs to God. The best anyone who is blessed with the opportunity of holding public office should do is to commit to the assignment and use the opportunity to uphold truth, justice, and fairness.”
…Saraki, El-Rufai
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki, in his remarks, spoke on what the case meant to the nation’s oil sector.
“The oil sector is such an important part of our economy. We need to ensure that the process is more transparent and accountable,” Saraki said.
Speaking on the significant insight provided by the book, former Kaduna state Governor Nasir el-Rufai said: “Such accounts are necessary to help the public understand the experiences of those who have been accused and tried. They enable those persecuted to put things in perspective.”
…Adoke forgives all
In his remarks, Adoke said he had forgiven all that were involved in the legal cum political controversies while the litigation lasted.
According to him, the book was put together to give clarity and correct some misrepresentations.
“This book is not written to denigrate anyone. It is meant to put the records straight and offer my account of what transpired,” said the silk.
While admitting that the litigation had some dire consequences on his life, the former minister, however, said: “I have forgiven everyone behind my ordeal. “After the verdicts of the various courts, I initially returned to exile. It was Vice President Kashim Shettima who encouraged me to return and bring closure to the matter.” (With additional reports from the News Agency of Nigeria)