Jibrin Aminu and the Siemens Issue
Posted by Mark Frost on Nov 25, 2007
Daily Trust (Abuja) OPINION 25 November 2007 Posted to the web 26 November 2007 Sulei Usman Abuja There is a saying in Hausa that Wanda be ji bari ba baya ji gani ba literally meaning whoever didn t hear must surely see.
This is the kind of situation that, Professor Jibrin Aminu finds himself in with the latest revelation by the German-based telecommunication company, Siemens that it bribed some top government officials and others who could easily influence for the company to get lucrative telecommunication contracts in Nigeria. Among Nigerians this company allegedly bribed is a one-time minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria now a Senator representing Adamawa Central Senatorial zone, Professor Aminu.
Aminu is an esteemed citizen of Nigeria. He had a flourishing career as Executive Secretary National Universities Commission (NUC), vice chancellor of the University of Maiduguri and later minister in two ministries of Petroleum and Education during the military era of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. Rather than the professor adopt a siddon look attitude and supplicate to his creator for the ample opportunity, he ventured into the murky waters of politics in the 90 s and formed a political association.
When the former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar wanted to hand over the reins of power, he called on politicians to form political parties. Aminu fused his political organisation with the G-35 which was made up of seasoned politicians that this country was proud of. This has resulted in what is today known as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).