Donald Duke hits back at Okonjo-Iweala for alleging he advised her not to serve in Jonathan's administration

Former governor of Cross River state, Donald Duke, has reacted to claims made by former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, that he advised her not to serve under the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The former Finance minister made the claim in her latest book, ‘Fighting Corruption is Dangerous: The Story Behind the Headlines’.

According to her, the former governor and presidential hopeful, asked her to turn down any request of appointment from Jonathan in 2011. Okonjo-Iweala said this was to deny Jonathan’s government credibility so that it would be “weak and not succeed”.

Reacting via his twitter handle, Duke wrote;

''It is true I met with Ngozi when the rumors were swirling about her being considered for appointment. As “friends”, she having been literally dismissed from an earlier appointment as f1nance minister, I urged caution. I made no mention of adding or subtracting credibility to anyone or government.  It was “two friends” discussing careers. It ended there and she subsequently made her choice which I respected. However, I think it is in poor taste and demeaning of her to report a private conversation in whatever self laundering attempt she may be up to. With hindsight, I was vindicated, Ngozi, as Minister of Finance and Economy, despite massive revenue receipts, left Nigeria poorer than she met it''.

Donald Duke hits back at Okonjo-Iweala for alleging he advised her not to serve in Jonathan