‘Niger Delta politicians spreading lies about ex-president,’ Ijaw group says

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August 22, 2016 12:04 PM

Former president, Jonathan Goodluck

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The accusation against Jonathan was launched by splinter group, Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) which accused the ex-president of naming the group.

The IYC made the comments via a statement released by spokesman, Eric Omare. It reads in part:

“The characters behind this desperate plan are politicians of Niger Delta extraction who are in the present government and do not want a peaceful resolution of the renewed militancy in the region.”

“They prefer a military option that would result in the killing of innocent Niger Deltans. The genesis of these frivolous accusations against former President Jonathan started after he visited President Buhari few weeks ago.

“And after the meeting and while speaking with the media, Jonathan said that everybody desired peace and that the leaders of the Ijaw nation were working hard to achieve peace in the Niger Delta region including himself.

“This did not go down well with these party chieftains and political office holders in the Federal Government from the Niger Delta region because they did not want a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

“Secondly, they don’t also want Jonathan’s intervention to resolve the crisis for obvious political reasons. So, this is the reason why they have orchestrated all sorts of lies to drag Jonathan into the formation of the NDA. It is deliberate and we are sure the top hierarchy of government knows this fact.”

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Jonathan has denied being connected to the militant group and has warned that media outlets that help in spreading the rumours are toying with a libel charge.

RNDA has also accused Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio of sponsoring the group.

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