Jonathan didn’t leave behind $30bn,’ Ex-Minister says

The claim was made on Tuesday, June 23, by former Minister/Deputy Chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC), Abubakar Suleiman after President Muhammadu Buhari said that he inherited an empty treasury from Jonathan.

Obiageli Ezekwesili

Former Education Minister, Oby Ezekwesili has faulted claims that former President, Goodluck Jonathan left behind $30 Billion in the country’s coffers before vacating the office on May 29, 2015.

The claim was made on Tuesday, June 23, by former Minister/Deputy Chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC), Abubakar Suleiman after PresidentMuhammadu Buhari said that he inherited an empty treasury from Jonathan.

However, in clarification, Dr Ezekwesili stated via Twitter on Wednesday, June 24, that the ‘$30Billion CBN reserve is no longer available’ to the Federal Government because it had already been collected and spent as Naira.

She said:

“Who's this ex-Minister that doesn't know $30Billion CBN Reserve IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE to FG cos it ALREADY collected & SPENT it as Naira?”

“FG earns Oil Revenue Dollars but spends in Naira. So it hands the dollars it earns to its Banker- CBN which then gives FG Naira for BUDGETS.”

“The $30 Billion is CBN's Dollar Reserves and should FG ever ask for any part of it again, it will result in double dipping &PRINTING MONEY.”

“When FG earns Oil Revenue Dollars it MAY NOT immediately hand over EVERYTHING to CBN to give FG Naira value. Such Balance is SAVINGS-ECA.”

“It is the BALANCE of whatever Oil Revenue Dollars, FG did not "sell" to CBN to get Naira that it SAVES as ECA and right now it is $2B only.”

Suleiman had risen to Jonathan’s defence and warned that he should not be labelled a looter by the current administration.

Meanwhile, Buhari has said that the US and other countries have offered to help Nigeria recover funds looted by government officials.