‘Ex-President formed ND Avengers before 2015 elections,’ RNDA alleges

The RNDA also said that Jonathan chose the name “Avengers” and is the group’s Grand Patron.

The group also threatened to reveal more about the alleged relationship between the former president and the NDA.

The comments were contained in a statement released by RNDA spokesperson, Cynthia Whyte and obtained by Sahara Reporters.

The statement reads in part:

“The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, and Mr. Gordon Obuah, the Chief Security Officer to President Jonathan, respectively were selected to visit Charles Okah in Kuje prison.

“Mr. Daniel Alabrah was given the assignment to draft an endorsement statement for Charles Okah to go through and pass on to MEND. According to the account, both men reported back that they had visited Okah in Kuje prison at night with the promise of his release along with others should he cooperate to get MEND to endorse Jonathan.

“It therefore came as a shock when MEND did the opposite and endorsed Buhari. Jonathan was livid with anger and swore that the Okahs would rot in prison.”

“It was around that period the idea of forming the Niger Delta Avengers was conceived. In fact, the name ‘Avengers’ came from the lips of Goodluck Jonathan.

“As Election Day approached, certain stakeholders were mobilised to form a force to standby and ensure total anarchy in the South-South and the South-East within 24 hours if the election results were not favourable to Jonathan.

“It took everyone by surprise to learn that Mr. Jonathan had conceded defeat even before the final results were released. The standby force that was supposed to attack specific targets was told to stand down. They were all compensated in US dollars cash.”

MEND endorsed Buhari for the Presidency on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 via a statement released by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo.

“The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), upon careful consideration of the state of the nation, endorses and fully supports the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari,” the statement had read.

“Our decision to throw our full support on Gen. Mohammadu Buhari stems from the pathetic state in which the country has been put by the government of Goodluck Jonathan and our strong believe in Buhari as the man and change the country needs. President Goodluck Jonathan does not deserve a second more in the Presidency as soon as his tenure expires as he has continuously and blatantly disregarded the very people who voted him into office,” it added.

The RNDA’s allegations are reminiscent of accusations made by former president, Olusegun Obasanjo who said that Jonathan was training snipers in preparation for the 2015 elections.

ALSO READ: MEND congratulates Buhari on 2015 election win

Obasanjo made the allegations via an 18-page letter written to Jonathan in December 2013.He also accused Jonathan of putting 1000 political opponents on a watch list.

Jonathan swiftly denied Obasanjo's accusations and has also denied sponsoring the Niger Delta Avengers.