Former Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo has issued a stern warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, urging them to exercise caution in their dealings with former Minister of Budget and National Planning, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, whom he described as “inconsistent and disloyal.”
Sambo’s remarks were conveyed in a statement released on Monday by his Personal Secretary, Mr. Yinka Ibrahim. The former Vice President was reacting to comments recently made by Dr. Usman, in which he alleged that the 2013 privatization of Nigeria’s power sector was driven by political interests rather than the technical and financial competencies of the buyers.
Describing the allegations as “false, mischievous, and hypocritical,” Sambo dismissed the claims as a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and the National Council on Privatization, which he chaired during the power sector reforms.
“This is utterly ridiculous and a complete falsehood,” the statement read. “Dr. Usman had made the remarks during a recent event in Abuja, where he claimed that political figures and officials in the Jonathan administration scrambled for stakes in the privatized power companies.”
Sambo stated that throughout his tenure as Chairman of the Privatization Council, all decisions were made in strict adherence to due process, transparency, and national interest, a fact he said was acknowledged both locally and internationally.
He further pointed out that the then Minister of Power resigned over conflict of interest issues related to the process, emphasizing the seriousness with which integrity was upheld. In a bid to enhance transparency, he added, statutory membership was given to Nigeria’s top anti-corruption agencies – the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Challenging Usman to provide concrete evidence to support his claims, Sambo demanded the names of individuals or entities allegedly favored during the process. “The burden of proof lies with him. Making vague and damaging statements a decade later smacks of political opportunism,” he said.
Sambo also questioned the motive behind Usman’s recent remarks, pointing out that the former minister was deeply involved in the process he now criticizes and even chaired several key committees during that time.
“It is surprising that he would make such accusations more than a decade later. One can only wonder if this is an attempt to curry favor with the current administration,” the statement added.
Expressing disappointment, Sambo concluded by describing Usman’s comments as a “classic case of biting the hand that fed him,” and reiterated his call for caution, noting that “consistency and loyalty are traits essential for nation-building, and sadly lacking in this case.”
