Iyabo Obasanjo Evades Contacts with Press over Controversial Letter to Her Father
The first daughter of the ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, has not given any direct comments over a letter she allegedly wrote her father.
In the 11-page letter,
which was exclusively published by Vanguard newspapers in the early
hours of December 18, 2013, Wednesday, Ms. Obasanjo-Bello, a former
senator, reportedly made scathing remarks about her father’s official
and private life. She described her father as a liar, abuser and hypocrite.
Several
newspapers, PREMIUM TIMES in particular, were in search for a way to
speak with her during Wednesday to confirm if she actually wrote the
controversial letter.
This
newspaper repeatedly called Ms. Obasanjo-Bello’s mobile telephone, sent
her multiple e-mails, text messages and left voicemails on her
telephone, but she did not respond to any of them.
Her
continued silence creates grounds for doubts, despite claims by her
family and some of the former president’s spokespersons that she did not
write the letter.
This
newspaper first sent her emails at 10.32 a.m., Nigerian time. Attempts
to reach her via a U.S. telephone contact made at 2.55 p.m., Nigerian
time, were also unsuccessful.
The
family member, who claimed to have discussed the matter with Mr.
Obasanjo, said the letter must have been forged because the former
president spoke with his daughter two days ago.
Two
other associates of the former president, Tunde Oladunjoye and Femi
Fani-Kayode also denied that the former senator wrote the letter.
“I can tell you that such letter never existed. I can tell you authoritatively it only existed in the imagination of those who forged and published it. It is the height of desperation of those who masterminded it,” Mr. Oladunjoye said.
He also insisted Mr. Obasanjo did not receive such a letter from his daughter.
On
his part, Mr. Fani-Kayode, a former Aviation Minister in the
administration of Mr. Obasanjo, said based on his knowledge of the
family, the former senator could not have authored the letter.
“I can tell you the so-called letter was forged by those in government.
“Let Iyabo Obasanjo talk because there are conflicting reports. I am more interested in the letter that Obasanjo wrote to Goodluck Jonathan and issues raised there than Obasanjo’s private matters,” the ex- Minister added.
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