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Author: Jonathan Elendu
Posted to the web: 6/24/2005 6:07:45 AM

Hope Sullivan, the daughter of the late Rev. Leon Sullivan a former civil rights leader, is the bride-to-be of Carlton Masters. The wedding is inter-continental as it is scheduled to be held in both the United States and Abuja, Nigeria in August. As earlier reported exclusively by Elendureports.com, Pres. Olusegun Obasanjo has signed on to be the father of the day for the August wedding in Abuja. Masters, an Obasanjo friend and lobbyist is the Pres/CEO of Goodworks International, LLC, and an Atlanta-Georgia based lobbying firm co-founded by Amb. Andrew Young.
Ms. Sullivan, 42, is a lawyer and President of the Washington based, The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation, a non-profit organization named after her father. Andrew Young is the Chairman of the Foundation and Sullivan's fiancé, Carlton Masters, is the Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Foundation. Masters and Ms. Sullivan each have children from previous marriages.
Pres. Olusegun Obasanjo was a Special Guest at The Gala Reception and Tribute Dinner to honour former US Secretary of State, Colin Powell on May 7th of this year organized by The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation. Apart from the President who was the guest of honour, Vice President Abubakar Tiku was also there. According to The Washington Informer, Obasanjo referred to Powell as a brother and friend, stating: 'In my part of the world one of the things we cherish most is relationships. Relationships in the sense that if you find two Africans from the same village, they would introduce themselves as brothers. Powell is a brother across the Atlantic. In Colin, we have an officer and a gentleman. In all of his achievements, I feel most proud to call him my friend.'
It is not Obasanjo's relationship with Colin Powell that Nigerians are worried about. More worrisome to many discerning Nigerians, however, is the relationship between Obasanjo, Andrew Young, and Carlton Masters. Although, Young and Obasanjo have been friends for a long time, some analysts believe the relationship has impacted on Nigerians negatively. There is a story of a meeting between Obasanjo and former Vice President Alex Ekwueme at Obasanjo's residence. While the meeting was going on, Young came in and without acknowledging the former Vice President, walked into Pres. Obasanjo's bedroom. This is a clear indication of how deep the relationship is. Young's reaction to former Vice President Ekwueme also reflects Obasanjo's denigration of past leaders especially Alex Ekwueme, who was his primary challenger at the last election.
A few curious points to consider: The Leon Sullivan Foundation dinner in honour of Colin Powell was also a fundraiser. Guests for the dinner paid a minimum of $175 a plate. The main attraction was Pres. Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria. Exactly one week later, on May 15th, Carlton Masters, who is the Secretary of the Board of Directors, husband-to-be of the President, and CEO of The Leon Sullivan Foundation, launches The Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta. The library project which has generated a lot of controversy raised more than fifty million dollars in one day. Some have argued that this is a clear case of quid pro quo and there is some validity to that claim. Also Chevron Texaco, a multi-national oil conglomerate is rumoured to have sponsored both events. From all available records at the disposal of this reporter, the involvement of the Chevron-Texaco conglomerate in the affairs of the Leon Sullivan Foundation and the Sullivan family started after 1999, when Olusegun Obasanjo was elected the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Chevron-Texaco is a major player in Nigeria's lucrative oil industry. We are reliably informed that MTN Nigeria, a major player in the Nigeria telecom industry, was one of the sponsors of the Washington dinner cum fundraiser.
 
According to a very well informed politician in Nigeria, who would not want to be named, 'The relationship between the President, Andrew Young, and this Masters' guy has to be looked into. The President is thumping his chest about his so-called anti-graft war and yet for all intents and purposes he is keeping relationships that at best paints a picture of impropriety, and at worse, it's like a criminal cabal. The National Assembly is doing nothing about it and Nigerian journalists are not investigating it. One day we'll wake up and discover that Obasanjo and his friends have sold Nigeria,' he concluded dramatically.
Rev. Leon Sullivan was a highly respected civil rights leader and minister. His life of service led him to establish many institutions in service of others. The organizations include, OIC for America, OIC International, The International Foundation For Education and Self Help, among others. His work and service also extended to Africa. Rev. Sullivan died on April 24, 2001.
An Abuja-based politician told Elendureports.com, 'Among government insiders in Abuja, there is a saying: 'Wherever Obasanjo is there you will find Andrew Young and Carlton Masters. By the way, add Hope Sullivan to the mix.' Whether this was a joke or not, the President has to show by his words and actions that his much touted anti-corruption crusade is not just farce. It is now time for him to explain the Young-Masters link to Nigerians.