I Never Got Money from Jonathan, Dasuki, Says Fani- Kayode

A former Minister of Aviation and the head of the Media and Publicity Directorate of the ex- President Goodluck Jonathan's presidential campaign, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has said that he did not receive funds from the former president and the embattled National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki.

Femi Fani-Kayode said contrary to insinuations contained in the report, the campaign directorate which he headed was never in receipt of any public fund but rather got most of its funding from private individuals and companies during the 2015 election campaigns.

In a statement issued by the former Minister on Wednesday in Abuja, he said private individuals and companies paid their contributions into a designated account which was provided and controlled by the Directorate of Finance.

"I have never received one kobo from President Jonathan himself, Colonel Dasuki or any other member of President Jonathan's government. I have not ever been in receipt of any public funds and neither was I the beneficiary of any payments in cash, transfer, cheque or otherwise from any government official during the tenure of President Jonathan," he said.

While distancing himself and the directorate from any wrong-doing as was being alleged by an online news medium, Fani-Kayode described the report that he was given 1.7 billion naira cash by President Jonathan as false.

"I read with amusement the allegation that was made in saharareporters, the unofficial media wing of the Buhari administration, the SSS and the EFCC, that I was given 1.7 billion naira cash by President Goodluck Jonathan. This is false. A few hours later they changed their story and said that I received 1.7 billion naira from the office of the former NSA, Colonel Sambo Dasuki. This is also false.

"As Director of Media and Publicity of the Jonathan/Sambo Campaign organisation I received money on behalf of the Directorate of Media and Publicity which I headed from private individuals and companies during the election campaigns but these were not public funds but rather private contributions specifically for the Presidential and other campaigns.

Explaining the way monies were received and transmitted during the electioneering campaign, Fani-Kayode said monies were transferred into his account set up for the purpose of running the publicity and media aspect of the campaign for the whole country by the Director of Finance of the Presidential Campaign Organisation.