A civil rights organisation, Vanguards of Nigeria’s Democracy, has on Saturdayraised the alarm over alleged moves by President Muhammadu Buhari to “investigate, malign and imprison” ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on trumped-up charges.
The group accused the President and his All Progressives Congress-led administration of anti-Niger Delta tendencies.
The group referred to the ongoing controversy between the former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole over Excess Crude Account and allegations as a ploy to get at former President Goodluck Jonathan.
But the Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), Mr. Femi Adesina, described the allegation by the group as mere speculation.
Adesina asked why people would dwell on speculations when nothing concrete has been established against former President Jonathan.
The spokesperson of VND, Mr. Osaghae Ogiemudia, in a statement obtained by SUNDAY PUNCH in Abuja, also claimed that anti-Niger Delta and anti-Ijaw posturing of the APC-led government of Buhari has been demonstrated in several ways.
He said, “We the members of the Vanguards of Nigeria’s Democracy, are aware of some clandestine moves made by the APC-led government to probe, investigate, malign and imprison ex-President Jonathan. We are already aware of the trumped-up charges the APC government is levelling against a man who has diligently served the Nigerian state at the highest level of government.
“The APC led government should take notice that the appointments made so far are skewed in favour of the North, as no Ijaw man has been appointed. While an Ijaw President did not discriminate in appointment, President Buhari is implementing a Northern agenda thorough some of the appointments.”
According to him, Buhari unilaterally cancelled the waterway surveillance and security contract awarded to the Delta-born Ijaw businessman, Mr. Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo.)
The group also criticised the sacking of the Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi and described it as “one of the principal appointments given to the Ijaws of Bayelsa State.” For more scintillating and juicy stories, follow the official Naijapals accounts On Twitter - @Naijapals and Facebook - www.facebook.com/naijapals
I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist
Posted: at 19-07-2015 08:29 AM (9 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Don't knw what is wrong with this malla instead of him to forget the past nd move on....what abouth other previous president babanginda atiku abasanjo nd co...to me all dis his turning around is rubish..let him free jonah booh nd face the change that is facing him...sacking people here nd there, place his own people...we know all this tricks...biafra we stand....rubish..he thought we re in military regime
Posted: at 19-07-2015 08:38 AM (9 years ago) | Hero
Let us face the truth, is it the court that will jail Jonathan or Buhari ?. I can only suggest to the court to make the jail term EIGHT years only, with hard labour. See what has become of the economy of our country because of corruption under Jonathan Government, It is only in Nigeria that a federal government has to bail out on accumulated salary areas, though there was plenty money to spend during election. God will punish all the perpetrators of the masses suffering including your generations unborn.. If the Ijaw are been sacked, they must be guilty of something. Let them check their ways of life including aggression and using force to get anything from the ruling party.
Posted: at 19-07-2015 09:08 AM (9 years ago) | Upcoming
Let us face the truth, is it the court that will jail Jonathan or Buhari ?. I can only suggest to the court to make the jail term EIGHT years only, with hard labour. See what has become of the economy of our country because of corruption under Jonathan Government, It is only in Nigeria that a federal government has to bail out on accumulated salary areas, though there was plenty money to spend during election. God will punish all the perpetrators of the masses suffering including your generations unborn.. If the Ijaw are been sacked, they must be guilty of something. Let them check their ways of life including aggression and using force to get anything from the ruling party.
Posted: at 19-07-2015 09:09 AM (9 years ago) | Upcoming
robertedo3 at 19-07-2015 09:51 AM (9 years ago) (m)
The change the ruling party preaches shud include probing the past govt of jona who spent 6yrs in office doing notin other than supervising corruption jona only succeeded making some individuals supper rich living the economy in shambow the quedtion is how much did obj left behind for him compare to what he left behind for buhsri nw if this jona id found wanting he shud face the music simple
Posted: at 19-07-2015 09:51 AM (9 years ago) | Upcoming
Mobbysmartins at 19-07-2015 10:12 AM (9 years ago) (m)
Quote from: Moriseye on 19-07-2015 09:09 AM
Let us face the truth, is it the court that will jail Jonathan or Buhari ?. I can only suggest to the court to make the jail term EIGHT years only, with hard labour. See what has become of the economy of our country because of corruption under Jonathan Government, It is only in Nigeria that a federal government has to bail out on accumulated salary areas, though there was plenty money to spend during election. God will punish all the perpetrators of the masses suffering including your generations unborn.. If the Ijaw are been sacked, they must be guilty of something. Let them check their ways of life including aggression and using force to get anything from the ruling party.
Well those States that were bailed out use their State money to sponsor Buhari and APC,do you blame Jonathan for that??
Posted: at 19-07-2015 10:12 AM (9 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Instead11 at 19-07-2015 12:07 PM (9 years ago) (m)
Let Jonathan and his ministers face the music because those guys just selfish not care about over 150millions citizens and if Buhari didn't do well the citizens should judge him.
Posted: at 19-07-2015 12:07 PM (9 years ago) | Upcoming
kelvin500 at 19-07-2015 12:31 PM (9 years ago) (m)
Quote from: proly on 19-07-2015 08:38 AM
Don't knw what is wrong with this malla instead of him to forget the past nd move on....what abouth other previous president babanginda atiku abasanjo nd co...to me all dis his turning around is rubish..let him free jonah booh nd face the change that is facing him...sacking people here nd there, place his own people...we know all this tricks...biafra we stand....rubish..he thought we re in military regime
people that think like you are the problem with nigeria. the post if even true did mention something about investigation. if there's any investigation on anybody and they are found wanting, they'll be tried and punished accordingly whether you committed the crime 10 years ago or yesterday.
Posted: at 19-07-2015 12:31 PM (9 years ago) | Upcoming
chealseafc at 19-07-2015 02:24 PM (9 years ago) (m)
hope he will start from the inventor of chop i chop. i mean IBB's, OBJ's, ABDUL SALAM's before GEJ of yesterday. though he will over look his brothers as usual.
Posted: at 19-07-2015 02:24 PM (9 years ago) | Gistmaniac
joyfulaim at 19-07-2015 02:44 PM (9 years ago) (m)
What made that group civil rights organization? by insighting hatred? why not wait for them to be arrested then help to defend them in court. as for that ijaw man, no wonder oil is missing everyday so Jonathan gave the security of oil to the oil thieve himself. one of the reasons I voted for Buhari is because he has the boldness to put Jonathan in jail. he will not make any agreement to cover it up because Jonathan was the worst president ever. he had no control over his subjects.
Posted: at 19-07-2015 02:44 PM (9 years ago) | Upcoming
Hahahahahahaha I can't fit laff oooo. Oya na make una start but it will start ur time as d military head of state to Jonathan presidency if not then get ready for war. I don't support corruption but if d probing will be bais then they want trouble chikena.
Posted: at 19-07-2015 03:10 PM (9 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Put jonathan in jail bala.bala.bala will not solve any problem, instead worse the whole system. I mean bring division in the country. Chasing the ghosts of ur past, can not allow u to fully embrace yr future. As one writer says, if Buhari want to probe' he have to start from past presidents who are still alive and there vice. BUHRI face boko-haram thank you.
Posted: at 19-07-2015 03:10 PM (9 years ago) | Gistmaniac
I always say it that this man(buhari) is bias. He has shown it when he was a military head of state.(If an hausa man commit a capital crime he will overlook it or give him a smaller punishment, but if some from other tribe commit a smaller crime, he will sentence him/her to life imprisonment of death by firing squad) now he just started it now. Useless tribalist. I swear he won't last long in that office.
Posted: at 19-07-2015 03:28 PM (9 years ago) | Hero