Dasukigate: Sultan Blasts Politicians, Endorses Buhari’s Anti-Graft War

Sultan of SokotoThe Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, yesterday condemned the misappropriation of cash meant for the purchase of arms and munition for the military by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), as ungodly.

This is just as he endorsed the anti-corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari and sought more international support for the campaign.

Sultan Abubakar III spoke with some top officials at the Woodrow Wilson Centre in Washington DC, according to a statement by Kogunan Sokoto, Malam Danladi Bako.

Bako, a former Commissioner for Information in Sokoto State, was on the Sultan’s delegation to the United States.

The former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, who allegedly supervised the sharing of over $2.1billion among politicians, prominent Nigerians and religious leaders, standing trial on charges bordering on money laundering, corruption and criminal breach of trust.

Although Mr. Dasuki, a prince of the Caliphate, denies the allegations against him, saying the disbursement of the funds was based on presidential directives, many top politicians and others, who were found to have received some of the cash, are either on trial or awaiting trial for their role in the matter.

Some have also offered to refund the money to avoid trial.

The statement said: “The Sultan not only endorsed the war against corruption, but decried the conversion of funds meant for the purchase of arms to fight Boko Haram to personal use by past government official.

“This was done with the connivance of some unscrupulous politicians. Such funds would have enhanced the capacity of the military to fast track the curtailment of insurgency in the north east of Nigeria”.

It added: “The Sultan implored the international community to be patient with the Buhari administration in its agenda of improving on the economy, as well as the security situation in the country”.

Speaking on other security challenges like communal clashes, farmers and herdsmen clashes, the Sultan said the government was on top of the situation with the support of traditional and religious leaders.