Jonathan Speaks On Dasuki Gate (What I know About $2.2 billion Dasukigate)

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has finally spoken out concerning the controversial $2.2 billion allegedly distributed through the office of the National Security Adviser then headed by Sambo Dasuki.

While speaking at the famous Oxford Union, Oxford United Kingdom, Jonathan said: 

“They said the National Security Adviser stole $2.2billion. I don’t believe somebody can just steal $2.2 billion. “

"We bought warships, we bought aircraft, we bought lots of weapons for the army and so on and so forth and you are still saying 2.2 billion, so where did we get the money to buy all those things?”

He said the issue was exaggerated and added:

“Yes, there were some issues; yes, there are still corruption issues; but some of it were blown, I’d say exaggerated, and they give a very bad impression about our nation. “You cannot say the national security adviser stole $2.2billion. It is not just possible.

“One thing about the issue of corruption is that these matter are in court, let’s allow some of these processes to end. Lately some judges’ (homes) were also invaded.

“There are so many things involved and we have to follow up these matters to conclusion before we know the fact.

“I don’t want to be seen as a former president challenging what the sitting government is doing so I have decided to keep quiet for the court to look into them.”

He noted that corruption had been a major issue with successive governments in the country as his was not unique in this regard. He said that allegations of corruption were not unique to his administration. He explained that governments have been overthrown in the past because they were accused of being corrupt only for the new administration itself be pushed out of power by another junta touting the anti-corruption mantra.

“You will see that it has become a major topic whenever there is a change of government.

“I am not saying there is no corruption in Nigeria, there is corruption. If you look at corruption there is almost no country that is free, the degree varies, the perception varies.

 “Transparency International talks about the way corruption is being perceived in different economies, why do we talk about the way corruption is being perceived, it depends on the issue raised in the media every day,” he said.