Iyabo Obasanjo Evades Contacts with Press over Controversial Letter to Her Father

The first daughter of the ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, has not given any direct comments over a letter she allegedly wrote her father.

In the 11-page letter, which was exclusively published by Vanguard newspapers in the early hours of December 18, 2013, Wednesday, Ms. Obasanjo-Bello, a former senator, reportedly made scathing remarks about her father’s official and private life. She described her father as a liar, abuser and hypocrite.

Several newspapers, PREMIUM TIMES in particular, were in search for a way to speak with her during Wednesday to confirm if she actually wrote the controversial letter.

This newspaper repeatedly called Ms. Obasanjo-Bello’s mobile telephone, sent her multiple e-mails, text messages and left voicemails on her telephone, but she did not respond to any of them.

Her continued silence creates grounds for doubts, despite claims by her family and some of the former president’s spokespersons that she did not write the letter.

This newspaper first sent her emails at 10.32 a.m., Nigerian time. Attempts to reach her via a U.S. telephone contact made at 2.55 p.m., Nigerian time, were also unsuccessful.

The family member, who claimed to have discussed the matter with Mr. Obasanjo, said the letter must have been forged because the former president spoke with his daughter two days ago.

Two other associates of the former president, Tunde Oladunjoye and Femi Fani-Kayode also denied that the former senator wrote the letter.

“I can tell you that such letter never existed. I can tell you authoritatively it only existed in the imagination of those who forged and published it. It is the height of desperation of those who masterminded it,” Mr. Oladunjoye said.

He also insisted Mr. Obasanjo did not receive such a letter from his daughter.

On his part, Mr. Fani-Kayode, a former Aviation Minister in the administration of Mr. Obasanjo, said based on his knowledge of the family, the former senator could not have authored the letter.

“I can tell you the so-called letter was forged by those in government.

“Let Iyabo Obasanjo talk because there are conflicting reports. I am more interested in the letter that Obasanjo wrote to Goodluck Jonathan and issues raised there than Obasanjo’s private matters,” the ex- Minister added. 
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