Niger Delta group says President plans to jail Jonathan

Vanguards of Nigeria’s Democracy, a civil rights organisation has raised an alarm over alleged moves by President Muhammadu Buhari to “investigate, malign and imprison” ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

The civil rights organisation accused the President and his administration of anti-Niger Delta tendencies.

In a statement obtained by the group's spokesperson, Osaghae Ogiemudia, 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.' Ogiemudia said.

Speaking further, Ogiemudia said that Buhari unilaterally cancelled the waterway surveillance and security contract awarded to the Delta-born Ijaw businessman, Mr. Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo.) while criticising the sack of the Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi.

However, the Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), Femi Adesina, has described the allegation by the group as mere speculation.

Adesina said, 'All these are speculations and I cannot react to speculations because there is nothing concrete yet against the former President.'

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