GEJ’s alleged link with NDA: South-south governors fingered

– The rumours of former president, Goodluck Jonathan involvement in the formation of Niger Delta Avengers is still gaining traction

– A top official in the federal government said a report linking Jonathan to the militants is currently available

– The official also mentioned that South-south governors are aware of the report

The rumours that emanated in the media that the federal government is investigating former president Goodluck Jonathan alleged complicity in the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers may be true after-all.

A highly placed official in the presidency squealed to The Punch that a meeting to that effect was held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting was said to have been attended by all the governors in the South-south region.

Former president Goodluck Jonathan speaking to journalists after a recent visit to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa

The intelligence report in possession of government was said to have confirmed that oil installations were mined before the May 29, 2015 handover to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The official who was not named said the revelation was first made by “those who should know” at the meeting which he said was held some months back.

According to him, the meeting was called as part of efforts aimed at resolving the crisis in the region.

His words: “You know that leaders from the region, including the governors are also affected by the violence in the region.

“The situation is affecting their revenue and they cannot meet many of their obligations. So, they were also interested in finding a lasting solution to the matter.

“It was in one of such meetings called to find a solution that that revelation was made. It was confirmed that there was indeed Plan B and that those who held the view that Jonathan must continue as President by all means were shocked that he conceded victory to Buhari.”

When asked if President Buhari directed security agencies to investigate Jonathan, the source said: “The president does not have to give such order before security agencies will know that with the allegations becoming more pronounced, especially from MEND, they need to investigate.

“For a fact, this President will not stop security agencies from investigating anybody, no matter how highly placed.

“It is also in the interest of the former President that the matter is thoroughly investigated. It is also in his interest to come out clean on the matter.

“We need to know whether he is personally involved in the plan or whether it was those sympathetic to him that hatched the plan.”

Reacting to the allegation, Rivers state governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike denied that such revelation was made at a meeting of South-south leaders.

Wike said: “There is no truth in that allegation. Those behind the allegation are suffering from acute malaria.

“Those who are spreading such a huge allegation against the former President will never know peace. They are liars.”

In a statement by his spokesperson, Ikechukwu Eze, on Thursday, August 18, Jonathan denied sponsoring the Niger Delta Avengers.

Jonathan his rising profile in Nigeria and abroad had intimidated some people and that this was the reason why such people sponsored negative reports against him.

Meanwhile, the minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said he was not aware of the federal government’s rumoured investigation into the alleged links of Jonathan to the Niger Delta Avengers.

His denial comes at a period the agitators have promised to declare the independence of the Niger Delta region on October 1 this year.