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Update on Coalition for Nigeria: Sponsor denies ties

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7 years ago

January 27, 2018

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Billionaire businessman allegedly bankrolling former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Coalition for Nigeria has denied the social media rumour.

The founder of Aiteo Group, Benedict Peters made this known in a statement on Friday night.

“For the record, I wish to state, categorically and unequivocally, that I am not a financier of the said organisation or any socio-political partisan association or political party in Nigeria or anywhere else in the world,” he said.

“As an international businessman of repute, I have deliberately stayed away from politics preferring, instead, to focus and give my all to the development of my business interests across the African continent.

“Corporate Social Responsibility contributions has seen the Aiteo Group, which I lead, provide investment support in medicine and medical research dedicated to seeking cures for several ailments which affect the African continent as well as investment in sport and sport as a panacea for the development of Africa’s teeming youth population.”

Peters was wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission until Justice Ashi Valentine of an FCT High Court declared him a legitimate businessman.

He said neither himself nor his company is supporting any political movement and that the reports are part of a grand plot to pit him against the federal government.

The businessman admitted that he has been close to Obasanjo for 30 years, and the former president and his father were friends.

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“For the avoidance of any doubt whatsoever, I also confirm, categorically, that the former President has, on no occasion, discussed or mentioned any such plan or intention to me. This situation very pointedly affirms the irrationality and farcicality of the allegations as a whole.”

The billionaire said he would be forced to take legal action against his detractors if they continued to spread rumours about him on social media.

“Accordingly, I have instructed my lawyers to immediately take steps to obtain a retraction, in the absence of which they are to take all steps available to provide me with protection, remedy and relief.”

Obasanjo is spearheading what he called a third force that will wrest power from the APC government lead by President Muhammadu Buhari, and the “wobbling” opposition PDP.