With the approach of the 2011 election, Nigerians hoping for a credible election will be surprised to know that some dodgy characters are seriously trying to seek the release of PDP chief and former Nigerian Ports Authority chairman, Bode George; for their own selfish political reason.

 

It will be recalled that he was convicted by Justice Olubunmi Oyewole on the 28th of October 2009 at a Lagos high court for abuse of office and awarding contract of about N100bn without following due process when he was NPA chairman is trying to be manipulated by his loyalist and partners in crime who wants him out desperately.

 

He has gone on appeal in the same court but was denied and now the so called leaders of PDP are trying to manipulate the case once more by appealing at the court of appeal in Lagos .

 

The questions I want to ask fellow Nigerian is: why is his case so special? Is he above all other Nigerians jailed for one crime or the other? Tafa Balogun, former Inspector General of Police was cuffed, taken to court in shame in the presence of the whole world and later sentenced to prison for looting $80M, and most recently Jackie Selebi, South Africa ’s former police chief and a one-time president of Interpol, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for corruption charges.

 

Taiwan ’s former president Chen Shui-Bain and his wife Wu Shu-Chen were also sentenced to life for taking bribe and money laundering of $15M while in office, then who is Bode George? Why does his loyalist want him out by all means if not for selfish political reasons?

 

I hope my fellow brothers and sisters will stand up for what is right this time so we can move this nation forward at least to a certain extent by trying to ensure we have a smooth election.

 

 

 

MAIMUNA ABUBAKAR

Abuja