Nigeria's rich bless Obasanjo
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Your support makes all the difference.THE NIGERIAN elections got into their stride in style yesterday when wealthy supporters of the presidential frontrunner Olusegun Obasanjo doled out a staggering 300m naira (pounds 2m) within the space of 30 minutes.
"Politics and good governance are very important matters that people should invest in," declared Chief Ojo Maduekwe, a leading supporter of the retired general at the start of a fund-raising dinner in the capital, Abuja, on Monday night.
"If you want good governance, bring out your cheque book," he told the business tycoons, retired army officers and leaders of General Obasanjo's People's Democratic Party (PDP). The general reinforced the principle: "We believe that those who want democracy must also be ready to pay for it," he told his guests.
General Obasanjo's opponent in next Saturday's presidential election, the former finance minister Olu Falae, was holding a fund-raising dinner last night but was unlikely to collect as much. His own supporters are generally less wealthy.
The PDP has dominated local and regional elections already held under the plan of the military ruler General Abdulsalami Abubakar to end 15 years of army rule in Nigeria. And it is well ahead on the results so far received of the National Assembly poll held last Saturday.
The Obasanjo dinner was marred by poor organisation, with food short and dignitaries battling their way through the throng of gate-crashers. However, once it came to the main business of the night, the atmosphere became electric with expectation as the rich and powerful moved towards the microphone. Alhaji Aliko Dangote, a billionaire northern businessman, set the ball rolling with a donation of 120 million naira.
As the prolonged applause died down, the master of ceremonies, Bisi Olatilor, took back the microphone to set the record straight about Mr Dangote's donation. "In case you think this is a pledge let me correct that impression," he said. "This is not a pledge. The money is already in the PDP's coffers."
Then the cheques and cash started flooding in.
General Obasanjo told the generous donors at the dinner of his determination to create jobs, build more schools and hospitals and generally restore Nigeria to greatness. "If it becomes necessary, I will call another dinner, even after I am elected. And I hope you will donate even more then."
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