Former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has distanced herself from accusations currently being levelled against her by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that she mismanaged the country’s finances when she was minister.

Some governors had recently accused Okonjo-Iweala of spending $2.1 billion out of the Excess Crude Account (ECA) without authorization.

Responding, she upheld the position of the finance commissioners on the use of the Excess Crude Account (ECA).

The former minister stressed that the statement of the finance commissioners clearly shows that Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) is a statutory body which is chaired by the Hon. Minister of state for finance in which all the states are represented.

Payments made were used for paying for petroleum subsidies for the Nigerian people and were approved by Mr President.

Therefore there is no question of mismanaging any resources.

The two time minister, who spoke through her Media Adviser, Mr. Paul C Nwabuikwu , clarified that, “For the avoidance of doubt, at no time did Dr. Okonjo-Iweala say that FAAC approved such expenditures. What she said was that all these expenditures were discussed at FAAC meetings attended by finance commissioners from the 36 states.

“It is therefore clear that there was no misrepresentation by Dr. Okonjo-Iweala.”

He added that “The question before us is: why is there such an excessive attempt to batter her name in an attempt to damage her reputation? It is clear as I said in my previous statement that the motive is malicious and very political and therefore will not succeed.

“If monies were used to pay for subsidies for the Nigerian people and duly approved, why is Okonjo-“Iweala’s name being battered in this way?

“This persecution should stop.”

•Photo shows Okonjo-Iweala.

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