Former President Goodluck Jonathan says he will not make comments on the gale of indictments trailing the Buhari-led government’s investigation into the alleged diversion of funds meant for arms procurement for the fight against Boko Haram during his reign.
Jonathan whose former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki and other political associates are currently facing trial over the messy deal made his position known while speaking at a conference hosted by the Geneva Press Club in Switzerland on Wednesday.
Answering questions from the audience, the former president said: “I would have loved to speak extensively on this issue [arms deal] because, even back home, when I read the papers a number of people say former President Jonathan must make comment [on the controversial $2.1bn arms deal]. But in our country, there are laws; when an issue is before a court of law, people who have one thing or the other to do with that are not expected to make comment, because it is considered as prejudice.
“As a former president if I make any comment it will affect the court processes, witnesses and so on. So I will not talk until most of these things are settled out but definitely I will speak on it”, he stressed.
Jonathan’s role in the alleged diversion of the $2.1 billion arms fund for his ill-fated presidential re-election bid has increasingly become a subject of debate and conjecture. But, he insists, he would keep his own side of the issue close to his chest until circumstances prevail on him to do so.
Hear him: “I wouldn’t want to comment specifically on the $2.1bn arms deal because it is not proper, but at the appropriate time I will speak my mind on it.”
Earlier in his speech, Jonathan said “The allure of power and the worries about what will happen after leaving power are tempting that it takes a man who loves his people and nation.”
He added that as President he worked hard to encourage Nigerians and non-Nigerians to invest in our country. Jonathan also reiterates that he would, together with former Nigerian leaders, continue to support President Muhammadu Buhari in the fight against Boko Haram.
By Olisemeka Obeche