Jonathan: I never approved any $2bn arms deal

Says ‘People play politics with very serious issues’

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has described as “untrue” allegations surrounding his former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (Rtd) that his administration awarded contract for arms procurement to the tune of $2 billion. He said his government never awarded any contract in the range of $2 billion as alleged.

The former president spoke on Thursday in Washington DC, United States on “Presidential elections and democratic consolidation in Africa: Case studies on Nigeria and Tanzania,” a conversational forum, co-hosted by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Jonathan, who expressed regret at the controversies generated by the arms procurement deal, queried:

“Where did the money come from? I did not award a contract of $2billion for procurement of weapons.” President Muhammadu Buhari had on Tuesday ordered the arrest of Dasuki, accusing him of stealing around $2 billion received for phantom arms contracts.

Buhari’s order followed the submission of a presidential investigation committee report into arms procurement under Jonathan’s administration, which revealed in its interim report that it found extra-budgetary spending by the Jonathan’s administration to the tune of N643.8 billion and an additional $2.2 billion in the foreign currency component, all managed and supervised by Dasuki.

However, Jonathan while speaking at the forum moderated by USIP Senior Advisor to the US President and member, NDI Board of Directors, Ambassador Johnnie Carson, where he was the sole speaker, the former president said: “Sometimes, I feel sad when people mention these figures.” It would be recalled that arms procurement was supposed to be under the purview of the Defence Ministry but its inability to deliver prompted Jonathan to shift the task to the NSA in September last year.

It was also gathered that normally, the NSA only advises on procurement. Following the development, the NSA was said to have sought arms and ammunition from a wide range of eastern European and Asian countries as some western states, where equipment was sought previously, were concerned with possible human rights abuses.

Large orders finally arrived early this year and played crucial role in turning around the fight against Boko Haram, according to diplomats. But Dasuki in a state-ment issued on Wednesday had denied that all contracts and accruing payments were made based on the approval of Jonathan, adding that due process and military procurement regulations were followed in all the transactions.

“Nigerians should note that all the services generated the types of equipment needed, sourced suppliers most times and after consideration by the Office of the NSA, the President will approve application for payment,” said Dasuki. Speaking pointedly about his successor, Jonathan said:

“When the president (Buhari) paid official visit to the US, there were some figures that were mentioned that I don’t believe.” He also drew attention to figures like the $150 billion alleged to have been stolen in previous Nigerian administrations, but Jonathan scoffed at the probability of “$150 billion American money” being missing and “Americans will not know where it is,” adding that at any rate President Buhari did not accuse his administration. “He didn’t say my government, he said previous administration. “$150 billion is not N150 billion,” he stated, suggesting, “people play politics with very serious issues.”