The embattled former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has denied having any intimate relationship with former President Goodluck Jonathan.<\/p>\n
Speaking in an interview published by The Boss magazine in London, where she is battling with cancer ,the former minister described the allegation as totally untrue.<\/p>\n
She said it was intended to tarnish her reputation as a successful and happily married woman.<\/p>\n
Mrs. Alison-Madueke, who looks emaciated in the photographs accompanying the interview, also denied dating any of the young businessmen in the oil and gas sector.<\/p>\n
The Jonathans, she said, had been family friends long before the ex-president came into office.<\/p>\n
She said her mother, Beatrice Agama, has always played the role of a godmother in the Niger Delta and is loved by all militants.<\/p>\n
Asked about the relationship between her and Chris Aire, Kola Aluko, Jide Omokore, Tonye Cole, Dapo Abiodun, Wale Tinubu, Igho Sanomi and others, she replied: \u201cI vehemently deny any intimacy or liaison with any of these gentlemen.\u201d<\/p>\n
She explained that some of these men were unknown to her until she became minister.<\/p>\n
According to her, she is happily married and would not do anything to jeopardise her marriage or smear herself in the eyes of her husband, children and family.<\/p>\n
Responding to rumours that her sister had a child for Jonathan, the former minister wondered how anyone could fabricate such tales saying, \u201cThat is totally untrue as I don\u2019t have any such sister or relative!\u201d<\/p>\n
On her relationship with former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, Madueke described it as cordial, saying she accorded the former the respect she should give the wife of her boss.<\/p>\n
On the allegation of financial impropriety leveled at her, especially the alleged disappearance of $20billion, Alison Madueke described it as a lie intended to cast aspersions on her person.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cHow can $20billion disappear just like that? Where did it disappear to? Is it possible that such an amount would not be traceable?<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is more painful coming from someone I considered a good friend, who should appreciate the gravity of such allegation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI challenge anyone to come forward with facts showing that I stole government or public money. I\u2019ve never stolen Nigeria\u2019s money.<\/p>\n
On allegations that she owns choice properties everywhere in choice capitals of the world, she responded: \u201cIt is so sad that anyone could say such about me.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me say something to you, I live with my husband in the same house we have lived since we married in 1999. Ask anyone who knows us.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur house in Abuja was bought in 2007 by my husband and as an architect and lover of interior d\u00e9cor, I did it up to our own taste.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyone who tells you I have houses anywhere should feel free to publish them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was how they said I bought an expensive property in Vienna. I went to court and I won the case. I never saw the house before except in picture.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe house I stay in London is rented. As a woman, I love to look good. Some of my dresses and jewelleries are often dumped on me by those I buy from and I pay them when I can.\u201d<\/p>\n
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