PDP Dares Jonathan: We Are Shocked How Your Government Shared Money

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has called on former President Goodluck Jonathan to speak out on the controversial $2.1billion meant for the purchase of arms to fight Boko Haram sect during his tenure but which was allegedly shared by some influential politicians.

The PDP wondered why the controversies surrounding the sharing of the money by the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, have not attracted the former President’s attention so far.

The party said the manner in which Nigeria's money was shared among Jonathan's associates and some party members is disgraceful to them.

Jonathan, presidential candidate of PDP during the 2015 elections, was defeated by President Muhammadu Buhari, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Alhaji Abdulahi Jalo, speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, called on Jonathan to speak up now.

Jalo, who spoke at the party’s national headquarters, said the former President should tell Nigerians and the international community whether he authorised the sharing of the money meant to fight insurgency in the North-East in particular and the country as a whole.

He insisted that all those who took part in the sharing of the money should be made to refund it.

He said, “As all of you know, no single kobo can be spent by the Federal Government without an act of the National Assembly.

“Money earmarked for arms purchase, some people diverted it to something else. So many people that you cannot even expect were involved. Now, darkness has come to light.

“Jonathan is alive, he should clarify whether he asked the National Security Adviser to divert money meant to fight Boko Haram into his campaign.

“I’m from the North-East and I know the terrible security situation our people are facing there.

“The money was meant to fight Boko Haram, and we all know that you can’t rule without peace. Now darkness has given way for the light.”

Jalo added, “It was not only members of the PDP that shared the money; members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Accord Party and the Social Democratic Party, among others, also shared. At least, Chief Olu Falae is not a member of the PDP.

“All of them should return the money. Then, (former) President Jonathan must speak on it. He is still alive.

“Has he ever said anything like this to Dasuki, ‘go and take from the money meant for the war against Boko Haram and share for my campaign’? It is time for him to speak up.”

Some members of PDP linked to the sharing of the money, include:

former Governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili (N100m); former Governor of Sokoto, Attahiru Bafarawa (N100m); Aliyu Shinkafi (N100m); and a former minister, Chief Jim Nwobodo (N500m).

Others are a former Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih (N260m); ex-PDP National Chairman, Sen. Ahmadu Ali (N100m); a former National Deputy Chairman of the party, Chief Bode George (N100m/$30,000); Yerima Abdullahi (N100m); Gen. Bello Sarkin Yaki (retd.) (N200m); founding Chairman, Daar Communications Plc, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi; Iyorchia Ayu’s company(N345m); BAM Properties(N300m); and Dalhatu Investment Limited(N1.5bn).

Also mentioned in the scam are ex-PDP National Chairman, Bello Haliru; Abba Mohammed, Sagir Attahiru, serving and former members of the House of Representatives (over N600m); former Chairman of the House of Representatives on Security and Intelligence, Bello Matawalle(N300m); ACACIA Holdings(N600m); and a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda (N1.9bn) among others.

Those who have been linked to collecting cash but are not members of the PDP are a former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja (N100); a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae (N100); and former presidential adviser, Tanko Yakassai (N63m).

Jalo recalled that the party held a fundraising dinner for the presidential campaign during which more than N20bn was realised, and wondered why Jonathan's people still had to share Nigeria's money.