Immediate past Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday requested the Federal Government to call Edo State Governor, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, to order over the Governor’s recent efforts to link her name to the alleged $2.1 billion arms issue.

She stressed that she has absolutely nothing to do with the issue.

Okonjo-Iweala stated that it is an abuse of public office, the judicial process and her human rights for Governor Oshiomhole whom she stopped from taking a highly suspicious N15 billion loan to make false allegations against her while hiding behind the constitutional immunity granted state governors.

“As recently confirmed by the Debt Management Office, professional analysis showed that Oshiomhole’s loan request which was based on using low interest World Bank loan to offset high interest commercial loans would have left Edo State with a heavy debt burden and the state would have found it very difficult to pay back,” Okonjo-Iweala said in a statement issued by her Media Adviser Paul Nwabuikwu.

She said that it is unconscionable for the Governor to embark on a campaign of lies against her because she thwarted his dubious loan request.

She described the Governor’s unsubstantiated allegations as a cynical personalisation of the anti-corruption campaign to achieve ignoble objectives.

The statement said that Okonjo-Iweala “has briefed her lawyers and that she is ready to explore all legal means, local and international, to defend her name against corrupt and compromised persons.”

It continued: “It has become a pattern of behavior that each time Dr. Ngozi OKonjo-Iweala is internationally recognised, Governor Oshiomhole and his cohorts embark on a cynical and devious ploy of trying to pull her down locally. Just last night, December 1st, Dr Okonjo-Iweala was honoured at a high profile event attended by Vice President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton. Dr Okonjo Iweala was honoured alongside Michael Bloomberg, Bill and Melinda Gates and Mo Ibrahim for their contributions to global development and humanity.

“Gov Oshiomhole and his cohorts should realise that their ill-motivated attempts to taint Dr Okonjo Iweala’s reputation will never succeed!”

•Photo shows Okonjo-Iweala.

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