By Paul Mumeh,Assistant Editor, Abuja
21st October

Oshiomhole was reported as saying "IBB’s stolen wealth surpasses Nigeria’s debt" at this year’s edition of Sanyaolu Memorial Lecture in Kaduna.

He was said to have been represented by former Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) President, Dr Festus Iyayi.

Babangida, had fired back, saying Oshiomole lives above his earnings.

Babangida’s Media Assistant, Kazeem Afegbua, had said on Thursday: "Our initial inclination was to ignore Oshiomhole since we know that he is a political hireling but for his choice of speaking through a no mean personality than Festus Iyayi, who holds the exalted position of President of ASUU.

"We owe Nigerians a moral duty to respond to this allegation in order to correct this obvious misconception and blatant falsehood.

"One thing that baffles us is the level of ignorance being exhibited by people who, ordinarily, should, by their training and background, know the simple indices of developmental economics and the challenges of a developing nation like ours.

"It is our considered view that rather than advertise falsehood and unverifiable statistics to give … Babangida a bad name, … Oshiomhole should concern himself with his new challenge of trying to present himself for election as a governorship aspirant in Edo State".

He said much as they did not have any problem with Oshiomhole’s qualification to seek election, "it will also interest the electorate to know how (he) came about his stupendous riches, particularly as a labour leader, to warrant his rather ostentatious life-style, much of which is done in pretence at the expense of the masses.

"Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Beyond the characteristic austere look of Oshiomhole lies his acquisitive demeanour to the extent that he owns choice houses in Kaduna, Abuja and Edo, yet portraying a pro-masses labour leader on the one hand, while exploiting them on the other hand as an agent of the ruling elite.

"The masses have become more alert to the pranks of those who profess to be doing their bidding under pretence, and will be more than prepared to demand accountability when the time comes."

Insisting that it was not in Babangida’s character to join issues with his subordinates, Afegbua: "We owe the electorate a duty to present facts that are verifiable for the sake of history, rather than making careless, libellous, bogus and outrightly unsubstantiated remarks in the name of academic scholarship.

"It is rather unfortunate that those who are supposed to be informed have also been carried away by sheer sentiments and sensationalism in the name of seeking public relevance.

"Iyayi should take time out to question the source of wealth of Oshiomhole instead of making bogus claims that apparently undermine his intellectuality".

But the NLC boss denied making the statement yesterday in Abuja.

The statement, he stressed, could at best be properly credited to the author, Iyayi, who represented him at the lecture.

Oshiomhole, who spoke through his Special Assistant, Olaitan Oyerinde, stated that he did not hold such views nor had any evidence to prove that Babangida’s alleged stolen wealth was more than the nation’s debt.