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Jonathan’s former aide, Omokri reveals how Buhari ‘benefited’ from ex-NSA, Dasuki’s ‘loot’
Reno Omokri, former president Goodluck Jonathan’s aide, has revealed how President Muhammadu Buhari purportedly benefited from the slush fund by a former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki(retd).
Omokri said the embattled ex-NSA bought armoured vehicles for Buhari in the build up to the 2015 presidential election.
In an interview with ThisDay, the United States, US-based pastor maintained that most of the money Dasuki was accused of stealing was used to protect Very Important Persons, VIPs, including Buhari during the 2015 elections.
Omokri also faulted the Federal Government’s choice of a secret trial of Dasuki, stressing that the former NSA should be trial publicly.
According to him, “If they are talking of money paid to the National Security Adviser, in all fairness, money was paid to Colonel Dasuki, but the man did not steal it as is being alleged.
“Dasuki said he is ready to meet them in court, but they said they want a secret trial. Dasuki said, ‘you claimed I stole money and never bought weapons so why do you want a secret trial?’
“Between the Buhari government that wants a secret trial and Dasuki who wants a public trial, who has something to hide?
“Do not forget that it was Dasuki’s job to keep the nation safe and that included protecting VIPs whose death may lead to tension or even war in the country.
“On July 23, 2014, President Buhari escaped an attack by Boko Haram in Kaduna which killed 82 people when Boko Haram escalated their insurgency.
“Some of the money they are alleging that Dasuki stole was used to protect Buhari and other high-profile individuals particularly those in the North. Buhari got armoured vehicles for his protection, because of the large heart of the Jonathan administration, because Jonathan did not want his life to be imperiled.
“Confront the Presidency. Ask them how much did Dasuki spend protecting candidate Buhari and where did that money come from?
“Buhari was not entitled to an armoured car. By his entitlements he and other former leaders were entitled to two regular cars, but Dasuki went out of his way to import a specialized armoured vehicle that could resist bombs and bullets to protect Buhari. Go on the Internet and find out how much that cost.
“Section 3 (1) of the Remuneration of Former Presidents and Heads of State (And other Ancillary Matters) Decree of 1999 provides that a former head of state is entitled to “Three vehicles to be bought by the Federal Government and liable to be replaced every four years.”
“The usual practice was for former heads of state to be given a good car like a Peugeot from PAN or some similar car.
“The Jonathan administration was under no obligation to provide President Buhari with an armoured SUV, but because you had decent people in authority, they valued Buhari’s life and went beyond what the law prescribes.
“Dasuki is a man that is learned. He is a meticulous record keeper. Let them try him in public and the man himself will expose the truth and Nigerians shall know the truth and it shall set them free from this desperate government. That is why they want a secret trial!”
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US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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