Last Friday, Saharareporters broke the story of an attempt by President Goodluck Jonathan to bribe a visiting delegation of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) with $50,000.
That story has been controversial since then, following a whimpering denial of the attempt by Tony Uranta, a muscle in Mr. Jonathan's inner circle, and a story in an online journal which gave the impression the convener of the SNG, Pastor Tunde Bakare, did not consider the money to have been a bribe.
In order to provide authentication of our story Saharareporters hereby publishes an audio of two telephone interviews with Bakare, upon which part of our stories were based. The interviews were conducted on November 28 and 30, and the pastor confirms the bribe attempt and the accuracy of our reporting of the issue.
Bakare, known as much for his religious work as for his political activism, had confirmed on Sunday evening that the Minister of the Niger Delta, Godsday Orubebe offered the SNG delegation the sum of $50,000 on behalf of President Jonathan. The funds were returned through Uranta shortly after it was presented to the SNG delegation.
Referring to Orubebe, Bakare is heard on the tape saying, “…I wish him well because he neither said he didn’t give us money or we didn’t return money, he just said he did not offer bribe; and he began to give me definition of bribe, unfortunately he did not go to law school but he is trying to lecture a lawyer.”
Jonathan’s attempt to bribe the SNG is a reminder of last October’s allegation by Global Information System, a private think tank of retired U.S. military strategists, of Jonathan’s ongoing “corruption of the Nigerian political process.” The think tank reported that Jonathan was buying up delegates to the forthcoming PDP primaries for $13,000 (two million Naira) per vote.
That, however, is not the public face of Jonathan. In a speech read for him in Jos by Vice President Namadi Sambo last Saturday, Mr. Jonathan called on Nigerians to ignore politicians who seek to win elections by offering money to groups and individuals.
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Posted: at 2-12-2010 11:53 AM (14 years ago) | Addicted Hero
The issued here is that money was giving to SNG under the leadership of Pastor Tunde Bakare and the same money was returned back. But the question there is, what the money was giving for?!. A Bribe money or Gift for Transport to the visiting delegation of the Save Nigeria Group?. Well follow Nigerians, lets solve this issued with this question above, I think we can find the answer. Before you called one a goat, make sure he believes like one. Pastor Tunde Bakare comments speech on the tape about the $50.000.00 giving to SNG, he didn't say it was a bribe money. Now corruption of the Nigerian political Master has open ears and eyes on ground: The Name: Audio Recording Of $50,000 Bribe Scandal. hahahaha show us who is the giver, i promise we shall punish any bribe giver in this time of Nigerian political Master. Be away the young ones are watching, we do not allow any bribe this time, if not blood will share. If you are giving bribe or you have already collected, just return it now, indirect way you can return, fine the way OK. Please Let us build Nigeria for better, we all Nigerians scattered all over the world, messing up by little nonsense other Africa countries because of all these rubbish news. May God guide and protect this great country Nigeria, Pastors unite and we shall win.
Posted: at 2-12-2010 02:09 PM (14 years ago) | Newbie
moniconyez at 2-12-2010 02:36 PM (14 years ago) (m)
NO bribe was offerd pastor cant even be specific NONSENSE..........And saharareport or what ever they calle you better stay clear from Nigerian issues and face your ARAB SUICIDE BOMBER COUNTRIES.........RUBBISH
Posted: at 2-12-2010 02:36 PM (14 years ago) | Hero
billsbetni at 2-12-2010 03:01 PM (14 years ago) (m)
This is nonsense and I dont buy it atall. Everytime Pastor Tunde Bakare tries to make him self exceptional,WTF!! is wrong with him, He is a Multimillionaire and I have never heard that he stopped receiving offering in Church for one day, the offering that he receives in his church how much did he pay God for the Gift ? I dont see the fee given to him as Bribe atall..... Despite the fact that I dont do politics.
Posted: at 2-12-2010 03:01 PM (14 years ago) | Newbie
stop spreading lies and fake rumors..... Election time brings in all sorts of fake stories and accusations. We all know this. The Nigerian people will not fall for this low level blow..... President Jonathan is not the one that corrupted Nigeria..... its been corrupted long, long time before he arrived and he is now trying put an end to it..... we have to work with the President for a better Nigeria!
Posted: at 2-12-2010 03:15 PM (14 years ago) | Newbie
LET US PRAY...Against any evil arrow fashioned on our transparents Leaders to crash in hell of fire ,, now and for ever more They should confess openly in NTA, BBC, VON, DSTV. FOX, NEWS, SABC, even in Nkem Radio without battery that they where paid for that act in Jesus Name,..
Posted: at 2-12-2010 03:45 PM (14 years ago) | Upcoming
Bazemaster at 2-12-2010 05:56 PM (14 years ago) (m)
politics is a game bro
I report from ma BAZEHOOD, niggaz feeling ma BAZESWAG 'cos it's hooded like my nigga HOODEDSWAG coming from BAZESQUAD in da BAZESTUDIOS UNITED.... I AM BAZEMASTER
Posted: at 2-12-2010 05:56 PM (14 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Why would President Jonathan give SNG $50,000 bribe? Do they have the capacity to return him to the presidential seat? It just doesn't add up...I believe there's an over-inflation of this story...
I Am Different Because I Stand For The Lord Jesus!
Posted: at 2-12-2010 06:45 PM (14 years ago) | Upcoming