Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sule Lamido, has detailed the events that eventually paved the way for the construction of the ministry’s permanent office complex during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration (1999-2027). He recalled that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had at a meeting presided over by President Obasanjo, to approve the contract for the building.
Sharing via his autobiography titled “Being True To Myself,” Lamido said that a firm, C. Cappa, came highly recommended for the job by members of the council, with emphasis on the company’s solid reputation.
However, when he left Nigeria for an international assignment 2 days later, Obasanjo suspended the contract.
According to him, he learnt of the President’s decision to suspend it when he got back, and angrily confronted OBJ about the sudden change.
Lamido revealed that he went as far as praying to God for strength and courage to stand up to whatever the President said without any fear of losing his position.
“Before I left the office to the Villa, I had gone home at the Ministers’ Hill in Maitama, where some of the ministers had their official houses. It was during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The sun had set, yet I could not eat very well, because I was in pain. After the Isha prayer, as I was about to leave for the Villa, I performed two raka ‘at prayer and made a sincere plea to Allah, the Almighty God, saying: Well, I am going out now to meet Obasanjo, the Nigerian President. I am leaving this house as a Minister in government, but do not know if I will come back still as a Minister after meeting the President.
Oh Allah, give me the strength and courage to stand up to whatever he says. Don’t allow me to fear losing my position and abandon my principles. Please, Ya Allah, strengthen my faith. ‘I’m leaving this house as a Minister; I may not come back as a Minister. I have no problem with that, but God guide me, save my faith. ‘ That was how I left home for the meeting with the President.’” he said.
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Revealing his displeasure, Lamido maintained that Obasanjo should relieve him of his duties as minister if he suspects foul play, because there is no way he could’ve been bribed by the company’s CEO since Shonekan was his good friend.
Reacting, according to the former minister, Obasanjo immediately ordered the lifting of his suspension and allowed work to commence.
“I told him…Something wrong must have happened. Sir, the Chairman of the company that awarded the contract is your friend, Shonekan. He is your townsman and also former Head of the Interim National Government. There is no way I could have accepted money from him.
So, sir, if you feel I am beginning to fail you, as a Minister, that you have lost faith and all confidence in me, please don’t disgrace me in public like that. Call me and tell me directly; and I will instantly leave your government.
But so long as I remain your Minister, I must in character and action be seen to be one, exercising the full functions of that office. I should have the full authority, because I cannot be just a shadow. I will not, sir. I must be able to serve as your Minister with full conviction and commitment, while commanding your trust and total respect. Otherwise, I shall not be there anymore, sir.
Whatever you might have heard about the contract, you should have called me to explain. Instead, you went to the same Council and announced that the contract had been suspended. How would you expect my other colleagues in council to see me now?
In response, President Obasanjo said, ‘Okay, Sule, tomorrow at the Council meeting, I will lift the suspension on the contract. And it will go ahead. Are you happy now?’ I said, ‘I am happy.’
Obasanjo, in his characteristic manner, replied, ‘Stupid boy, get out of my sight.’ I ran out laughing but full of gratitude to Allah for answering my supplication,” he added.
