State Actors' Repression: Ex-Vice President, Other Notable Figures Reveal Plots Against Them

Nigeria's public figures have long suffered the brunt of repression by state actors, as revealed by recent stories of former Vice President Kassim Shettima, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. The trio spoke at a book launch in Abuja, recounting how they were targeted by powerful figures seeking to tarnish their reputations. Shettima credited former Attorney General Bello Mohammed Adoke for intervening to prevent President Goodluck Jonathan from removing him as Borno State Governor. The former VP described the culture of secrecy in Nigeria's public institutions as a form of silence that must be broken.

Key Takeaways:

• Vice President Kassim Shettima revealed that he was demonized by the state during the last four years of President Goodluck Jonathan's administration, with Senior Advocates in the cabinet advising the President not to remove him as Governor.
• Former Senate President Bukola Saraki called for upholding the rule of law for the betterment of the country, emphasizing the importance of justice, fairness, and service to humanity.
• Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai described how he was betrayed by friends and those he once assisted, hailing Adoke's book as necessary to set the record straight.
• The OPL 245, also known as the Malabu oil deal scandal, centres on a 2011 agreement in which Royal Dutch Shell and Italy's Eni paid $1.3 billion for Nigeria's deep-water oil licence.
• The oil bloc is believed to hold nine billion barrels of crude, making it a significant factor in Nigeria's economy.
• Former President Goodluck Jonathan lauded Adoke for his wisdom, courage, and doggedness in the face of intimidation and blackmail, describing the event as a celebration of victory over deliberate persecution.

Statistics:

• $1.3 billion: The amount paid by Royal Dutch Shell and Italy's Eni to acquire Nigeria's deep-water oil licence in the OPL 245 deal.
• 2011: The year the OPL 245 deal was agreed upon.
• 26 chapters: The number of chapters in the book on the OPL 245 scandal.
• 9 billion barrels: The estimated reserves of crude oil in the OPL 245 block.

Sources:

• Kassim Shettima, Bukola Saraki, and Nasir El-Rufai
• Bello Mohammed Adoke, author of the book 'OPL 245: Inside story of the $1.3 billion Nigerian oil block'
• News sources and public statements from the above-mentioned individuals and organizations.