PDP asks Jonathan to break silence on arms deal

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked former President Goodluck Jonathan to speak out on the $2.1 billion arms deal.

Abdulahi Jalo, deputy national publicity secretary of the PDP, made the demand during an interactive session with journalists at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

Jalo also said it was not only members of his party that benefitted from the deal, advising those who took part in the deal to refund the money in their possession.

“Jonathan is alive, he should clarify whether he asked the national security adviser to divert money meant to fight Boko Haram into his campaign,” he said.

“Darkness has now come to light, that some people have collected money, not just PDP, we are talking about all those who have collected money from the national assembly and taken under the guise of campaigning for Goodluck Jonathan.

“Let us put the records straight. We want anyone of these people that have been accused whether in PDP, APGA or APC to come out and tell us the money he collected he gave it to PDP or to his party.

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

“All of them should return the money. Then Jonathan must speak on it. He is still alive. It is time for him to speak up. 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.”

Since the issue came into the limelight late last year, Jonathan has spoken about it only once.

While responding to a question as a guest at the National Democratic Institute in Washington back in November, Jonathan disputed the claim of Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser, who said that the ex-president consented to the deal.

“Sometimes, I feel sad when people mention these figures,” he had said.

“I did not award any $2 billion contract for procurement of weapons. Where did the money come from? I did not award a contract of $2billion for procurement of weapons.”