Billionaire businessman and founder of Aiteo Group, Mr. Benedict Peters, has denied social media reports that he is funding the new coalition reportedly being headed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo .
Peters said this in a statement on Friday night .
He said , “ For the record , I wish to state , categorically and unequivocally , that I am not a financier of the said organisation or any socio – political partisan association or political party in Nigeria or anywhere else in the world.
“ As an international businessman of repute , I have deliberately stayed away from politics preferring, instead , to focus and give my all to the development of my business interests across the African continent .
“ Corporate Social Responsibility contributions has seen the Aiteo Group, which I lead , provide investment support in medicine and medical research dedicated to seeking cures for several ailments which affect the African continent as well as investment in sport and sport as a panacea for the development of Africa ’ s teeming youth population .”
Peters, who is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission but was recently declared a legitimate businessman by Justice Ashi Valentine of an FCT High Court , said neither himself nor his company was supporting any political movement .
He said the reports were part of a grand plot to pit him against the Federal Government .
The businessman admitted that he was close to Obasanjo , adding that the former President and his late father were friends and he has remained close to Obasanjo for over 30 years .
Peters, however , stated that the former President had never discussed politics with him. He added , “In the publishers ’ indecent haste to malign the former president and I , amongst others, they demonstrated a shameful shallowness that paid no heed to the very personal nature of our relationship.
“For the avoidance of any doubt whatsoever , I also confirm, categorically , that the former President has , on no occasion , discussed or mentioned any such plan or intention to me . This situation very pointedly affirms the irrationality and farcicality of the allegations as a whole.”
The billionaire said he would be forced to take legal action against his detractors if they continued to spread rumours about him on social media .
Peters added , “As unconvincing and implausible as these allegations are , I am constrained to take steps to address these unbridled excesses as a means of protecting my family, my business and I from these unwarranted personal attacks
