Article written by @theshadyexpress
1 january 2016

For more than four months and still counting the media has been awash about the ‘alleged’ $2.1bn arms deal scam been investigated by the EFCC, ever since no day passes without news of the alleged scam making the rounds on every news media outlet, with new ‘revelations’ been churned out every day. Nigerians more than ever have shown interest in this particular issue as we all have agreed that corruption is a disease that must be uprooted from the system of our dear country if we must see it attain the heights we set for it. Fighting corruption is a task that must be done and every citizen including the former president Goodluck Jonathan PhD if called upon to assist relevant anti-corruption agencies in whatever capacity to help in the fight against this ‘disease’ should see the call as a call to ‘serve’ for the general good of the Nation.
That been said, it is worthy of note for any citizen to know when he or she is actually going to be serving the interest of the public or the interest of a ‘cabal’. When the probe into the $2.1bn arms deal started it appeared like it was indeed borne out of necessity for the public interest in the pursuit of probity and accountability but alas, as it lasted the true intentions of the exercise has been self-revealing and it takes only a wise and well calculated mind to be able to deduce this and not fall into the web of propaganda which is the key driving force of this probe.

Reasons why Goodluck Jonathan Should Still Maintain silence

1) He is the main target of the probe: it is very obvious that the main purpose of this whole probe is to put him in bad light and hereby tarnish the good image he’s enjoying both locally and internationally which have been evident before, during and after the elections. Before the elections the APC using the media levied a whole lot of spurious allegations against him such as the subsidy scam, oil theft, $49bn oil proceeds diversion, terrorism sponsorship et al, during the election periods the APC further levied more damning allegations against him some even treasonable such as plotting a coup and plans to hand over to a military regime, after the elections and successful handover to the now ruling party the APC further leveraged on their attacks on his personality accusing him of aiding corrupt activities to the tune of $150bn and the icing on the cake happened when the current administration declared that its war on corruption will be limited to the previous administration of Goodluck Jonathan. So this and many more gives credence to the fact that any probe by the current administration is targeted at Goodluck Jonathan
2) He would only be satisfying the interest of the APC and their media gang: The APC currently run the government and knows it can only hold that position at the mercy of Nigerians, since it’s now clear to them that they don’t have the capacity to deliver on the phantom promises they made to Nigerians they have found a way to completely distract Nigerians from their evident failures and appeal for sympathy from the populace, little wonder their slogan since May 29, 2015 has been Jonathan, PDP and Corruption. Their intent is to completely decimate the opposition and still appear ‘saintly’ and ‘heaven sent’. They intend to create a one party state in a multi-party system. They have successfully distracted gullible Nigerians from pressing national issues they have ‘fumbled’ in attending to such as the extra-judicial killing of Shiite Muslims and Igbos, the agitation for secession in the east, the bleeding economy, monumental job losses, missing budget and the presidents act of tyranny. If Jonathan speaks he will become the new topic of discuss and will be assisting the APC in their plot to distract Nigerians from pressing issues
3) It will further heat up the polity: The polity as it is is currently heated due to the inexperienced manner in which the APC government have handled governance. Any word from Jonathan either for or against will further heat the polity because of his status, ethno-religious sentiments and politico-social differences in the country
4) He might not get a fair hearing: The disposition of the current administration towards due process and the rule of law calls for worry as the president in his words sees rule of law as an obstacle to the actualization of his ambitions. Buhari has made it clear that he is only favourably disposed to the rule of law when it favours him. This is not a good omen and it will be ill advised for the FMR president after taking note of these to still offer to lend his voice in this alleged probe as it could be a bait set by the government to rope him into it.
5) The EFCC already has all it needs: The EFCC already has all it needs, if after arresting almost a dozen suspects in the scam they still don’t have a clue to the level of involvement of the fmr president then it means they have no evidence of the scam, ill advise they just dust their boots and embark on a new probe maybe this time of APC bigwigs.

Has Jonathan Been Quiet?
When people say the FMR president should speak up on this alleged scandal, I pause to ask them two questions 1) is it that you were deaf when he spoke? or 2) he has not yet said what you wish he should say? The FMR president already gave account of the role he played in the whole issue when he visited the US last year. read his submissions below.
“I did not award any $2 billion contract for procurement of weapons” Mr. Jonathan stated categorically querying, “Where did the money come from?” and repeating emphatically that “I did not award a contract of $2billion for procurement of weapons”.
Source: http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/193493-jonathan-washes-hand-off-arms-procurement-scandal.html
What else is there to say beyond this? even if he honours an invitation by the EFCC today he may not need to say beyond this ‘cos anything further from this means he knows something about it.

What Jonathan Should Rather Talk About
FMR president Jonathan should rather talk about pressing national issues like the inconclusive elections now prevalent in the life of this administration, the violence and riggings perpetuated by the APC in the Bayelsa elections, the dwindling fortunes of the economy, the extra-judicial killings of innocent citizens, the inconclusive budget et al cos this are issues that affects the life of the common man.

In closing I’d like to state it clear that if after running government for 8 months the APC still believes the only way forward is to keep looking back and throwing stones at the shadows behind them they should kindly admit they are failures and ask for help. Governance is continuous and not static and nobody moves forward by looking back.
THANK YOU FOR READING
@theshadyexpress

cc: lalasticlala

lalasticlala come n see d best thread in 2016.

Perfectly written.

Whether or not he speaks, when he is required by the court to speak, he must appear before it. If he fails, he will be made, by any means, to appear.

two pipul so far have declared d so call arms probe as a scam. GEJ said there's noting like $2.1 billion arms deal. Dopkesi also declared dasukigate as figment of buari's imagination. n wat is dasuki, d so called man who misapproprated $2.1 billion arms deal charged with N13 billion! a far cry from $2.1 billion.
below is d reason for d invention of dasukigate:

2) He would only be satisfying the interest of the APC
and their media gang: The APC currently run the
government and knows it can only hold that position at the
mercy of Nigerians, since it’s now clear to them that they
don’t have the capacity to deliver on the phantom promises
they made to Nigerians they have found a way to completely
distract Nigerians from their evident failures and appeal for
sympathy from the populace, little wonder their slogan since
May 29, 2015 has been Jonathan, PDP and Corruption. Their
intent is to completely decimate the opposition and still
appear ‘saintly’ and ‘heaven sent’. They intend to create a one
party state in a multiparty system.

dis is d reason for dasukigate. d so call arms deal probe is a political strategy design to silence n kill opposition PDP in preparation for 2019 presidential elections.
$2.1 billion arms deal does not exist! Quote me anywhere!!!

OrlandoOwoh:
Whether or not he speaks, when he is required by the court to speak, he must appear before it. If he fails, he will be made, by any means, to appear.

you mean the same way buhari was forced to appear before oputa panel?

helpee:
you mean the same way buhari was forced to appear before oputa panel?

A panel (human right abuse like in the case of that of Oputa) is different from our conventional courts. Does panel have the power to issue a bench warrant?

I have this simple advice for the APC government. It is eloquently contained in Winston Churchill's words:



If they can't decipher the message in the proverb then I'm sorry, I can't help them.

He should keep quiet b/c the law requires him to keep quiet: http://www.naijiant.com/articles/goodluck-with-the-silence/

OrlandoOwoh:

A panel (human right abuse like in the case of that of Oputa) is different from our conventional courts. Does panel have the power to issue a bench warrant?

so it was morally right for buhari to fail to appear before a duely constituted panel to explain his role in diversion of PTF funds yet you will arrest GEJ for doing same?

When the time is right, he will be forced to speak up. Dasuki and Metuh both refused to talk initially, today, they are both singing like canary bird. No amount of blackmail can derail the ongoing fight against corruption. You lovers of corruption can continue to come up with meaningless write ups as much as you like, it won't stop the current probe of the thieving GEJ's administration.

At the right time, Jonathan will be forced to give account of how he presided over the looting of over $2.1billion and there is nothing you wailers can do about it. For now, he should quietly wait for his turn.

Mynd44,Lalasticlala your attention is needed here

helpee:
so it was morally right for buhari to fail to appear before a duely constituted panel to explain his role in diversion of PTF funds yet you will arrest GEJ for doing same?

Enguiries in the Oputa Panel were not on the grounds of finance, but human right violation. Get that into your head.

well said, I solemnly agree with you. GEJ won't be stupid like his successor to speak in a matter that doesn't business him. he has handed power over n not just that, to d opposition, no leader in this selfish country will dare do such...so what do they still want from him. APC should rather b grateful to him self... because had PDP gone to court contest the out com of that election they would have won the case. I no wat I'm talking n I bliv many Nigerians are aware of the massive ringing in some part of the North.

Before the commencement of the arrest GEJ visited Aso rock and what he told PMB was that he was not aware of large scale looting perpetuated in his administration and PMB make it clear he will get to the root
For GEJ to come out now will mean he actually knew and lied to earlier exonorate himself. Hence his Golden silence is necessary and in order.
If he had said he didn't know about it, he need not talk except it is otherwise found to be true.
Furthermore the $2.1 is real, it was money appropriated for arms which the last administration misapprioaprated. Please let note innocent lives lost, we lost soliders (that is why investigation of military chiefs is justifiable, they ought to understand better yet their were quick to pass death sentence on the soldiers)
Please let remove sentiment and stand for a great Nigeria. Just imagine your loved one or bread winner had died because he was forced to the war front ill-equipped how will you feel or imagine you are engineer told to climb a tower with a bad ladder or a banker told to count billions of note without a machine yet you will be punished for errors.

helpee:
so it was morally right for buhari to fail to appear before a duely constituted panel to explain his role in diversion of PTF funds yet you will arrest GEJ for doing same?

Dont even bother replying them.GEJ can only be arrested only on the pages of nairaland and newspapers!! Not even any kangaroo court order or summon would be respected afterall Buhari has already taught us how to disobey court orders!!

Before the commencement of the arrest GEJ visited Aso rock and what he told PMB was that he was not aware of large scale looting perpetuated in his administration and PMB make it clear he will get to the root
For GEJ to come out now will mean he actually knew and lied to earlier exonorate himself.

Details of GEJ's visit to the dullard was not made public as the media nor the dullard's aides were not even allowed!! You are a terrible liar comming here to speculate except you want to tell me you are merlin or morgana

pharmagba:
Before the commencement of the arrest GEJ visited Aso rock and what he told PMB was that he was not aware of large scale looting perpetuated in his administration and PMB make it clear he will get to the root
For GEJ to come out now will mean he actually knew and lied to earlier exonorate himself.
If he had said he didn't know about it, he need not talk except it is otherwise found to be true.
Furthermore the $2.1 is real, it was money appropriated for arms which the last administration misapprioaprated. Please let note innocent lives lost, we lost soliders (that is why investigation of military chiefs is justifiable, they ought to understand better yet their were quick to pass death sentence on the soldiers)
Please let remove sentiment and stand for a great Nigeria. Just imagine your loved one or bread winner had died because he was forced to the war front ill-equipped how will you feel or imagine you are engineer told to climb a tower with a bad. Ladder or a banker told to count billions of not without a machine yet you will be punished for errors.

Stop trying to appeal to sentiments,the fact that innocent lives were lost and many others displaced does not mean the scam allegations are real, if in doubt tell EFCC to tender that as an evidence in court. This is why I see this whole thing as a sham and a media trial, all APC wanna do is appeal to the sentiments of nigerians and use that as an excuse to haunt perceived enemies.

Guy wise up, you are acting according to a pre-written script. I hope e go clear for your eye soonest

On point, i don't expect the former president to dignify this guys with any response...what do they need his statement for? the onus of prove lies with the accuser so let them come up with their facts and proceed to the courts.

ShowYourCertificate:
I have this simple advice for the APC government. It is eloquently contained in Winston Churchill's words:



If they can't decipher the message in the proverb then I'm sorry, I can't help them.

An Ondo man or Calabar man would disagree.

After a few plates of dog peppersoup, all the dog's will run into hiding.

This is exactly what I've been saying!

OrlandoOwoh:
Whether or not he speaks, when he is required by the court to speak, he must appear before it. If he fails, he will be made, by any means, to appear.

We all dey this Nigeria na.....Let's see how this GEJ will be dragged or forced to appear before useless and weak Nigerian courts............

Lalasticlala, cone see this vital article this morning.

GEJ has nothing to answer to anyone.

OrlandoOwoh:
Whether or not he speaks, when he is required by the court to speak, he must appear before it. If he fails, he will be made, by any means, to appear.

And who will make Buhari to account for the money spent on his campaigns? Who fuelled the Rivers State Jet and other airplanes used in touring the States before the elections? Who will probe the money used to bribe delegates that "voted" for him in the arrangee APC primaries? Why can't you learn from history? This was the same way Buhari ruled the country from 1983 to 1985 and was booted out through mere palace coup. The same way he embarked on selective and preplanned persecutions when he jailed Ekuweme but put Shagari in house arrest. Wait for the time the hunter will become the hunted. I can assure you of that.

Dear gej, pls remain silent sir. Silence is golden, silence is d best answer for fools. Pls let them do their worst but remain silent sir.

theshadyexpress:


Stop trying to appeal to sentiments,the fact that innocent lives were lost and many others displaced does not mean the scam allegations are real, if in doubt tell EFCC to tender that as an evidence in court. This is why I see this whole thing as a sham and a media trial, all APC wanna do is appeal to the sentiments of nigerians and use that as an excuse to haunt perceived enemies.

Guy wise up, you are acting according to a pre-written script. I hope e go clear for your eye soonest

Are you saying $2.1m was not appropriated for arms procurement? Are you saying the NSA is the chief money disbursement office of the federation.? You are the one wiping sentiment here. Due processes and lives seems to mean less just for sentiments? Have you ever thought for a second why the payment was not made through the office of finance? Because Okonjo knows and didn't want part. Even the PDP leadership knows and are begging all who have collected money from the NSA for political reasons to return it. The military brass also know it is true. You seems to be the only one in doubt.
My brother Nigeria will be great again

dearpreye:


We all dey this Nigeria na.....Let's see how this GEJ will be dragged or forced to appear before useless and weak Nigerian courts............

You don read your Animal Farm finish?

OrlandoOwoh:

You don read your Animal Farm finish?

Chapter 4. The lies and propaganda are gradually being pushed through. The novel aptly describes Nigeria's current political sojourn.

ba7man:
An Ondo man or Calabar man would disagree.

After a few plates of dog peppersoup, all the dog's will run into hiding.

Churchill's proverb might be correct when applied to dogs, but what about when applied to goats? Should someone not throw stones at every goat that attempts to steal our yams? In fact should i not pursue every goat that has stolen my yams? Except you want my family and I to die of starvation.

You want someone to come and speak on alleged corruption charges yet to be brought to him by the EFCC I know a lot of people just wants his head but why not relax and wait for him to be called by EFCC ?? After all the president is tight on his stand against corruption and the fight against it. All the documents he signed and worked with are there in the possession of the federal govt and the EFCC so i believe they are going through them to check for discrepancies. Except the apc are waiting for him to talk so they can start a media war and end up not really persecuting him for the alleged corruption.

wirinet:

Churchill's proverb might be correct when applied to dogs, but what about when applied to goats? Should someone not throw stones at every goat that attempts to steal our yams? In fact should i not pursue every goat that has stolen my yams? Except you want my family and I to die of starvation.

Well Buhari should go after GEJ!! Thats when civil servants in Osun and Oyo would understand the meaning of starvation!! You never settle Tompolo case you are talking about adding fuel to already burnin fire.

93RD:
You want someone to come and speak on alleged corruption charges yet to be brought to him by the EFCC I know a lot of people just wants his head but why not relax and wait for him to be called by EFCC ?? After all the president is tight on his stand against corruption and the fight against it.

As a former president and leader of this country, he has a moral obligation to clear his name. It would be a shame to wait for EFCC investigations before he speaks about Dasukigate. It is not enough to simply say " i did not award $2.1billion contract for arms procurement." Did he instruct Dasuki to distribute money meant for arms procurement or not? That is the koko of the matter.