Ben Murray-Bruce Grants Twitter Interview; Talks AMCON-Silverbird Takeover, #CommonSense and More

Ben Murray-Bruce Grants Twitter Interview; Talks AMCON-Silverbird Takeover, #CommonSense and More

Chairman of Silverbird Group and member of the national assembly, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce on Friday evening answered a few questions about the ongoing controversy surrounding an unpaid N11bn debt that led to a takeover of his business assets by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

In a conversation curated by The Guardian newspaper on social media site, Twitter, with the hashtag #BenBruceOnTheGuardian, the Bayelsa East senator answered questions on other aspects of his business, his participation in politics and growing popularity on social media.

AMCON had on Thursday taken over certain assets on the Silverbird premises thereby preventing operations at its television station, radio and cinemas among other ventures. Senator Murray-Bruce, however, stated that those celebrating his downfall have only done so in haste as he was certain all issues would be duly resolved.

@GuardianNigeria Those celebrating my downfall celebrated too soon! This is not so much a setback as it is a setfront #BenBruceOnTheGuardian

— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) June 24, 2016

He also provided some clarification on the aspects of his business empire affected by the AMCON seizure:

@GuardianNigeria 1-I run several successful firms. Only the real estate div is affected. Our other biz are not #BenBruceOnTheGuardian

— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) June 24, 2016

@GuardianNigeria 2-Silverbird comm owners of Stv, Rhythm fm. Silverbird cinemas & film distribution are not affected #BenBruceOnTheGuardian

— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) June 24, 2016

The senator equally used the opportunity of the conversation to address prevalent insinuations that he converted public funds to his personal use, while he served as director-general of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) before leaving to set up his business.

According to Murray-Bruce, the current impasse with AMCON stresses the point that his business was funded by a loan obtained over a decade ago. He also added that without the loan, he would not have been able to employ over 1000 Nigerians who earn incomes above the national minimum wage.

@GuardianNigeria Silverbird has 1000 staff earning above minimum wage. The economy has been stagnant. We will survive #BenBruceOnTheGuardian

— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) June 24, 2016

 

@GuardianNigeria Those who say I stole govt money to set up business can see it was a loan taken as far back a decade #BenBruceOnTheGuardian

— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) June 24, 2016

On his rising popularity on social media, the sometimes controversial critic of the federal government stated that his #commonsense and #BuyNaijaToGrowTheNaira campaigns helped to boost his profile online.

@GuardianNigeria Yes and no. I think my #Commonsense advocacy and #BuyNaijaToGrowTheNaira made it happen faster #BenBruceOnTheGuardian

— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) June 24, 2016