Buhari Signs Paris Agreement, Seeks Help On Lake Chard

September 22, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change during which time he called for aid in the revival of Lake Chard basin.

The president, after signing the agreement today, Thursday, assured that Nigeria is commited to a global effort to reverse the effects of the negative trend.

The President, who was addressing the opening of the meeting on “Taking Climate Action for Sustainable Development’’ in New York, expressed Nigeria’s commitment to reducing “Green House Gas Emissions unconditionally by 20 per cent and conditionally by 45 per cent.”

This he said, is in line with Nigeria’s “Nationally Determined Contributions.”

Buhari described the signing as historic, even as he expressed confidence that with support from development partners, Nigeria would meet the above targets.

The resident pledged to ensure the ratification of the Paris Agreement before the 22nd Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Marrakesh, Morocco in November 2016.

He said that it is to demonstrate his personal dedication to the process of implementing the Agreement that he will be hosting the side event on Taking Climate Action Towards Sustainable Development.

President Buhari, who said he was privileged to have been part of the Paris Agreement, expressed appreciation to what he called “the genuine efforts by President Francois Hollande of France in drawing global attention to reviving the Lake Chad Basin.”

He also lauded him for galvanizing the political will that led to the global consensus in reaching the Paris Agreement. The President said Nigeria’s commitment to the Paris Agreement was articulated through its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) “that strive to build a climate resilient society across the diverse terrain of Nigeria.

“We have instituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change to govern implementation of my country’s NDCs, thereby ensuring a strong cross-sectoral approach, coherence and synergy for Climate Action.’’

President Buhari confessed that implementing the Roadmap will not be easy in the face of dwindling national revenues, but that both internal and external resources would be mobilized to meet Nigeria’s targets.

He said that the 2017 Budget would reflect Nigeria’s efforts to accord priority to realizing its NDCs.

“In addition, we are set to launch our first ever Green Bonds in the first quarter of 2017 to fund a pipeline of projects all targeted at reducing emissions towards a greener economy.”

Buhari called for global support to transit to a low-carbon climate resilient economy, reminding industrialized nations “to play their role and deliver on their commitments on access to climate finance and technology transfer and help with capacity-building.

“Expectations are high for their leaders to deliver 100 billion dollars per year by 2020 in support of developing countries to take climate action, thus keeping the promise to billions of people.” President Buhari called on the international community to give special recognition to the plight of Lake Chad and support our effort to resuscitate the livelihoods of over five million people in the region.

“This will reinforce our efforts to reintegrate the thousands of Boko Haram victims and returning Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).”

According to the President, the Niger Delta region is a unique biodiversity rich in coastal environment that is highly prone to adverse environmental changes.

He said these changes were occasioned by climate change, such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, exacerbated by poverty and many decades of oil pollution leading to loss of livelihoods and ecosystems.

He added however, that “through an integrated approach, implementation of the NDCs, and our efforts to clean up Ogoniland, we will improve livelihoods, protect the environment and take climate action, and ensure the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” President Buhari thanked the Presidents of Chad, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo and Niger for attending the event.
The meeting was co-hosted by Nigeria and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The meeting was one of the Side Events of the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA71). [myad]

Obaigbena, Others Must Pay Me N100 Billion For Linking Me To Boko Haram – Ex Army Chief

Greenbarge Reporters

September 22, 2016

Former Nigeria Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt.-Gen. Oyeabo Ihejirika, has asked the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court to compel Nduka Obaigbena, Leaders and Company Limited, and Stephen Davis, an Australian to jointly pay him the sum of N100 Billion for linking him to Boko Haram sect.

Ihejirika sued Obaigbina and his company which is publishing ThisDay newspapers, Leaders and Company Limited as well as the Austrarian who claimed to be a hostage negotiator working for the release of Nigerian women taken hostage by the Boko Haram sect at Chibok, Borno in 2014.

The former army boss is claiming N100 billion for damages from the defendants for defamation in the interview granted by Davis to Arise TV and the published in ThisDay. He also asked for a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further defamatory comments concerning him.

Ihejirika wants the defendants to publish a full retraction and apology in the front page of ThisDay Newspaper for the said false and libellous publication

Ihejirika who was cross examined by counsel to the defendants, Frank Chude, said that Boko Haram insurgents are terrorists and the Nigerian Army is fighting the group.

On whether his duties as a General is of public consumption, Ihejirika said he was a public figure and issues related to him were for public consumption.

The former COAS said he did not have personal issues with Boko Haram but fought them as terrorists even as he admitted that he had heard about the tape of the interview and his name was not mentioned.

Ihejirika said that he was the only Chief of Army Staff that retired in January 2014 as mentioned in the tape.

He also said he had never granted ThisDay Newspaper any interview but read the said publication when his attention was drawn to it.

His Counsel, A.B. Anachebe (SAN), had raised objection that his client would not answer the question by the defence if the story published in ThisDay Newspaper about Ihejirika was true.

Anachabe said that the question and false publication was the reason why they were in court

Justice Valentine Ashi adjourned the case till Nov. 2 and Nov. 3 for continuation of cross examination and defence.

Davis granted Arise TV, interview and it was aired in Abuja and published by newspapers, including ThisDay Newspaper and media houses in 2014.

He told his interviewers that a former Chief of Army Staff who retired in January 2014 was actually sacked by the president because he was a sponsor of the Boko Haram sect.

Davis also said that he got his source from a Boko Haram senior commander who named the sponsors. .

(NAN). [myad]

Labour Kicks Against Selling Of National Assets, Says Proponents Are Enemies Of Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

September 22, 2016

Organized Labour in Nigeria, including the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have risen against those who have been calling for the sale of national assets, describing them as enemies of Nigeria.

The NLC specifically called on Nigerians to resist the planned sale of the nation’s shareholdings in the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas and other national assets.

The President of the TUC, Mr. Bala Kaigama, and the Acting Secretary General of the congress, Mr. Simeso Amachree, said in a statement today, Thursday that the suggestion for the sale of the national assets was also disgraceful. They asked the governments to drop the planned move to sell the national assets in order to avoid incurring the wrath of workers.

The unionists reminded those calling for the sale of the national assets that the country had lost over four million jobs since the beginning of this administration which promised to create three million jobs every year.

“The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria warns those calling for the sale of national shareholdings in Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Company Ltd and concession of the country’s airports to drop the idea if they do not want to incur the wrath of workers. Those suggestions are disgraceful and portray them as enemies of the state.

“In case those canvassing for the sale have forgotten, it is imperative that they realise that this administration promised to create a minimum of three million jobs yearly. Unfortunately, instead of generating more jobs, no less than four million jobs have been lost in the last one and half years, a development that has led to serious security issues.” The statement read in part.

Also, the President of the NLC, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, said in a statement that Nigerians must resist the surreptitious moves by some businessmen and the political class to acquire the remaining national assets which he said should be preserved in the interest of future generations.

He said the NLC is prepared to join forces with other progressive movements in the country to resist the current moves to plunder the nation’s assets, adding that it is in the interest of generations of Nigerians for the existing investments to be developed by investing in profitable areas.

Wabba said the NLC is totally opposed to the recent calls by Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, for the sale of national assets to get the country out of recession.

“The recent call by Alhaji Aliko Dangote for the sale of the national share holdings in the NLNG and the suggestion by the Senate President that the shares, along with other sovereign assets in the oil and aviation sectors, should be sold as a way of stemming the current economic recession are unacceptable to us at the Nigeria Labour Congress.

“Investments in the LNLG and joint venture oil upstream operations are profitable and represent potential sources of revenue into the future.

“Inter-generational considerations require that we build on these existing investments by identifying other profitable endeavours to invest in. What we need is to leverage on the stream of potential earnings from these investments in seeking to turn around the economy.

“We, therefore, call on Nigerians to resist these new schemings by those waiting and wishing to lap up these lucrative national assets. We need to preserve these assets for our children and future generations.

“On our part, we are ready, in partnership with other progressive and nationalist forces in our country, to resist the further attempt to plunder our common patrimony.” [myad]

How Treasury Looters Deny People Enjoyment Of Their National Wealth – Buhari

Greenbarge Reporters

September 22, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari has regretted that treasury looters have denied people, especially I the developing countries, the enjoyment of their national wealth and resources needed for development.

The President, who spoke in New York at the High-Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly to commemorate the 30^th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, said that one of the ways to help such countries is for their development partners to join in the fight against corruption by returning ill-gotten financial assets and halting future illicit financial flows to their countries.

He said that such collective action “will guarantee a stronger international defence of the right to development,” even as he cautioned that non-repatriation of illicit financial assets could impinge on the determination of States to achieve an all-inclusive 2030 sustainable development.

President Buhari called on the United Nations to remain vocal and active in addressing the negative impact of non-repatriation of illicit financial assets on their countries of origin: “as soon as stolen assets are legally established, they should swiftly be repatriated.”

The President, while welcoming the commemoration of three decades of the Declaration on the Right to Development, which he observed, coincides with the first anniversary of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, said “it reminds us all of the essence of development and provides us with the opportunity to reaffirm commitments to converting this right into the policies and operational activities of relevant actors at the national, regional and international levels.”

President Buhari said that as a developing country, Nigeria considers the Right to Development an inalienable right of fundamental importance, stressing that at the national level, his administration has been making strenuous efforts to ensure that the right to development is at the centre of all development initiatives.

While reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to the UN Charter and other international conventions that uphold the Right to Development, he also drew the attention of the international community to the urgent need to address the lop-sided terms of trade between Developed and Developing Countries which have impacted negatively on the capacity of many Developing Countries to embark on development programmes for the benefit of their peoples.

“Nigeria is convinced that the Right to Development is a shared responsibility considering the growing inequality and poverty resulting from climate change impact, natural disasters, violent extremism, social unrest and deprivation,” the President said.

“The Right to Development must be promoted and protected like all other rights. Its universality and interdependence are indisputable,” he declared. [myad]

A Vote For Greater Edo State, Not New Godfather, By Sufuyan Ojeifo

Greenbarge Reporters

September 22, 2016

If the governorship election, earlier scheduled for September10, 2016, had not been shifted to September 28, by now, the good people of Edo State would have been celebrating the emergence of a brand new Governor; and, I am not in doubt as to what the verdict would have been. Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu would have become the custodian of the people’s sacred mandate. As a grassroots politician, Ize-Iyamu has galvanized massive support across the State. He is seen more as the face of the liberation movement than the candidate of a political party in the rescheduled election. Through him, the people would have realised their much-desired freedom from the shackles of deceptive administration, foisted on them by the outgoing Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

However, in spite of the poll shift, deliberately orchestrated by the Governor, in concert with some security agents, when he saw the writing on the wall, the people’s verdict, according to credible reports and feelers, remains sacrosanct. They will now declare it on September 28 or any other time the election is rescheduled to hold. For them, the election provides a veritable opportunity to reprimand Oshiomhole for the propaganda of the last four years.

The day of reckoning has finally come. The comrade Governor has pathetically realised that deception has an expiry date. Governance by divide and rule has lost its efficacy. He is now faced with a worsening credibility crisis. The shift in the date of the election, rather than mitigate what would have been his initial electoral damage, has reportedly worsened his situation. The postponement has backfired and this is very obvious. The consequential collateral damage will manifest on September 28.

That I have, so far, refrained from mentioning the names of political parties in this piece is deliberate. I am convinced that the governorship election in Edo is not about political parties or party affiliations. It is a statewide consciousness to test the people’s will against the will of a man who has transformed from a comrade to the ultimate godfather in his party and now wants to extend his suzerainty to the entire State by plotting to install his proxy – Godwin Obaseki – as his successor. His plan is sardonically self-serving. A vote for Obaseki is already dubbed as a vote for a neo-godfather.

Indeed, Oshiomhole wants an Obaseki who would cover his odious tracks, contrary to his claim of continuity of performance. This is discounting Obaseki’s electoral value and self-worth. The people are now much more enlightened. They say they do not want a puppeteer who will sustain his master’s continuity of divide and rule. They easily cite the massive development in the Governor’s village (Iyamho) at the expense of so many towns and villages across the State. To a very large extent, the comrade Governor’s credibility problem is self-inflicted. It is his personal tragedy that he had chosen to be a clannish and nepotistic Governor.

Annoyingly, he always turns round to point fingers of guilt at elders in the State who are politically opposed to him, making them butts of abuses and verbal attacks, blaming them for all imaginable setbacks that the State has witnessed in the past. It is indisputable that Oshiomhole does not have respect for elders. He has terribly fouled the air of the culture of respect in Edo state; and, he has now extended his lack of respect to the sacred area of tradition by insisting that the governorship election should be shifted to coincide with some post-coronation activities of the revered Oba of Benin.

The actual coronation should have been on September 26, 2016. The election is on September 28. From September 27 after the coronation, community and village heads in Edo South would have been expected to leave their domains to visit the Oba of Benin in his palace to pay homage. But those movements to express royal solidarity would certainly have beeen affected by the pre-election, election and post-election activities. Indeed, it was because of Oshiomhole’s obstinacy on the September 28 date that the Benin Kingdom would now have to wait till October 20 to coronate the new Oba. The new date is now confirmed. The Governor made fine tradition to buckle in the face of crude politics.

But, there were reports in the social media, after the postponement, that the Deputy Governor, Dr Pius Odubu, a true and courageous Benin son, told Oshiomhole that his decision to have INEC pick September 28 was capable of undermining age-long traditions. Dr Odubu was reportedly upbraided by Oshiomhole for talking about tradition when his political fortune was under real threat. Oshiomhole does not care about tradition, yet he wants to benefit and make political capital out of royal endorsements by traditional rulers for his candidate.

Oshiomhole is desperate and ready to go to the extreme to install his successor. But well-meaning Nigerians should counsel him not to plunge Edo State into avoidable crisis through his manipulative conduct. Edo people are peace-loving. It was bad enough that the Governor, through his schemes, prompted security agencies to dubiously and negatively profile Edo State as a safe haven for militants and terrorists of the Boko Haram hue. Is it not curious that the security advice came on the heels of a hitch-free mega rally, organised for his candidate with President Muhammadu Buhari in attendance?

In the run-up to the September 28 election, the Governor has resorted to several questionable antics aimed at subverting the will of the people. He has allegedly directed that Electoral Officers in the State should be deployed and replaced with those from some States controlled by his party. The INEC has reportedly rebutted this insinuation. He has also been alleged to have made moves to have INEC replace National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members already trained for the election with his party members. The reason for the move is that the Youth Corps members will pass out on September 26. The electoral body has also said it would not succumb to the push. These gambits are capable of inflaming destructive passion.

Perhaps, the real concern is the recruitment and planned deployment of vicious thugs to disrupt and undermine the integrity of the electoral process. Leading politicians and opposing political camps have accused one another of complicity in this. The Governor, who has been in power in the State for about eight years, has so much explanation to make as regards the prevalence of thugs on the political turf in the State. His claim that the other camp had registered 8,000 militants is dubious and unjustifiable. The simple and logical argument is that with state machinery at his disposal, Oshiomhole is better positioned to recruit and fund thugs for political ends. He is said to have sustained a lucrative recruitment scheme since stepping in the saddle as Governor and has given official protection to known thugs, including the notorious Osakpanmwan (alias No Molest) who once assaulted a prince of the Benin monarch.

Further validation: during the Akoko-Edo House of Assembly rerun election in August 2009, there were media reports that twenty seven thugs wielding AK-47 rifles, who were allegedly recruited from Kogi by the then Action Congress (AC), the Governor’s party, were arrested in Igarra by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of election operations and taken to Abuja on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police. They were reportedly paraded with their rifles by the Police and charged to court. Upon their release to their sureties, Nigerians would want to know why the matter has since “died.” The thugs and their sureties are still at large while the exhibits (Ak-47 rifles) are being detained by the Police. It is all the outcome of the manipulative conduct of a desperate Governor even as a member of the opposition party. One can, then, imagine the extent he will go now that his party controls the government at the centre.

This and other pranks are what the Police, in particular, and other security agencies should work assiduously to avert on September 28. The Police should be allowed to do their job. Oshiomhole should not use his position as the Chief Security Officer of the State to manipulate and coerce the Police to do his bidding. I pray that the INEC will provide a level play field by conducting the election in accordance with the guidelines as contained in its books.

Finally, I hope that President Muhammadu Buhari, who is a beneficiary of a free and fair presidential election in 2015, will not throw partisan bias into the mix. After a series of inconclusive elections by INEC under his presidency, this should be an opportunity for the Commission to justify the postponement of Edo governorship election by making the election a model worthy of replication in future exercises. This will, no doubt, enhance the election management profile of Buhari’s government.

Mr Ojeifo, Editor-in-Chief of The Congresswatch magazine, sent this piece from Abuja. [myad]

Dangote Promises To Buy Over Arsenal In Four Years

Greenbarge Reporters

September 22, 2016

Nigerian billionaire and President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has promised to buy Arsenal FC within four years from now.
The 59-year-old, who is Africa’s richest man, expressed an interest in sealing a takeover of the North London club last year.
Dangote, worth a reported $10.9 billion, is believed to have been affected by the decrease in value of his country’s currency as he lost around $4.4 billion this year.
However, Dangote, whose business extends to the oil industry, still hopes to buy the Premier League outfit, of which he is a lifelong supporter.
When asked in an interview with Bloomberg Television when he hopes to buy the Gunners, Dangote said: “Maybe three to four years. The issue is that we have more challenging headwinds. I need to get those out the way first and start having tailwinds. Then I’ll focus on this.
“It’s not about buying Arsenal and just continuing with business as usual. It’s about buying Arsenal and turning it around. I’ve run a very successful business and I think I can also run a very successful team. Right now, with what we’re facing, over $20 billion of projects, I cannot do both.”
American Stan Kroenke is the majority shareholder at Arsenal, owning 67.05 per cent of the club. [myad]

Ex Plateau Governor Under PDP, Joshua Dariye, Crosses Over To APC

Greenbarge Reporters

September 22, 2016

Former governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

His defection was announced by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on the floor of the upper chamber of the National Assembly today, Thursday.

Dariye, who represents Plateau Central in the Senate, attributed his defection to the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party.

The Senator is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on charges bordering on the alleged diversion of Plateau State’s ecological fund estimated at N1.16bn while he was governor of the state.

In 2011, he defected from the party to Labour Party, where he contested the senatorial election.

The former governor returned to the PDP in 2014 and had, then, explained that his decision to rejoin the party was because he was a founding member.

He assured of his “loyalty” to the PDP at all times.

In his latest defection letter, he said, “after due consultations with my constituency, I write to notify you of my intention to cross over from the PDP to the APC.

“My decision is informed by the protracted division at the national level of the PDP that led to the massive movement of my supporters to the APC.

“Arising from this, I therefore write to formally inform you of my decision to go along with my supporters. I thank you for your understanding.’”

Fielding questions from newsmen, Dariye said that his decision to dump the PDP was informed by the crack in the party.

He added that most of his constituents had defected to the ruling APC and that he wanted to be with his constituents for effective representation.

“My people in the PDP have moved to the APC and there is no need to remain alone,” he said.

Dariye, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, reiterated his commitment to serve the people of his constituency.

(NAN). [myad]

We Surrender – Niger Delta Avengers; We Pardon You – Gov Okorocha

Greenbarge Reporters

September 22, 2016

A number of the Niger Delta Avengers fighters, fighting in the Oil Producing Areas of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta Imo State under the aegis of Niger Delta, including their leader, General Felix Omereji, have surrendered and turned in their arms and other weapons to the Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha.

The action of the repentant militants came 48 hour to the expiration of the deadline given to the remnants of the Niger-Delta Avengers fighting in the Oil Producing Areas of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta to surrender and embrace peace.

The event which took place at the Imo International Convention Centre (IICC) also saw the Security Chiefs in the State in attendance with General Felix stating that they boycotted the first phase of the disarmament programme last week to see what the State Government would do with the Commanders and their fighters who had surrendered their weapons at the event.

He explained that he was encouraged to surrender their weapons and embrace peace when they saw the Sincerity of Governor Rochas Okorocha with regard to the first disarmament programme. General Felix and his fighters had surrendered guns including AK47 and explosives.

General Felix regretted all they did in the Oil Producing areas of the State and prayed that God would also forgive them, thanking Governor Okorocha for his approach to the whole development which encouraged them to come out from the forest to embrace peace.

He assured that they would ensure the sustenance of the peace already achieved in the Oil Producing areas of the State with the Militants dropping their guns and embracing peace.

In his speech, Governor Okorocha told General Felix and his fighters that he has granted them Pardon like those before them while the President, Mohammadu Buhari would grant them amnesty, adding that they had done well by not waiting for the deadline he gave to them to elapse.

The governor’s words, “We are here to receive our children who have been living in the forest for years killing many people. I am your father. I will pardon you, while the President would grant you Amnesty. We have gathered to dramatize life for those of the Militants who have dropped their guns to embrace peace. They have been pardoned”.

The governor expressed happiness that since the last disarmament programme the people of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta who abandoned their homes and ran away for years or months have begun to return to their homes and assured that he would do all within his reach to ensure that the peace achieved in the areas is maintained. [myad]

Buhari Tells UN Scribe The Challenge In Negotiating For Chibok Girls’ Release

Greenbarge Reporters

September 22, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari has told the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, he is ready to negotiate for the release of Chibok school girls, but that the challenge is identifying the bona fide leaders of Boko Haram in whose custody they are being held.
President Buhari, who spoke at a bilateral meeting with the UN scribe at the sidelines of the 71st UN General Assembly in New York, emphasized that he is willing to bend over backwards, to get the Chibok girls released from captivity.
“The challenge is in getting credible and bona fide leadership of Boko Haram to discuss with. The split in the insurgent group is not helping matters. Government had reached out, ready to negotiate, but it became difficult to identify credible leaders. We will welcome intermediaries such as UN outfits, to step in.”
The President reiterated that the teachings of Boko Haram are far from being Islamic, as neither Islam, nor any other religion advocates hurting the weak and innocent.
“The fact that they kill men, women, children, and other people wantonly, and shout Allahu Akbar (God is great) shows that they do not know Allah at all. If they did, they would not shed innocent blood.”
He thanked Ban Ki-moon for the moral and material support given to Nigeria, which has enabled the country surmount many of the challenges facing it.
Responding, the UN Secretary General congratulated President Buhari on the anti-corruption war, saying: “you are highly respected by world leaders, including myself. Your persona has given your country a positive image.”
He said that the UN recognized the achievements of the Buhari administration against Boko Haram, advising that human rights be upheld always, to prevent a repeat of the scenario being witnessed in Syria.
Ban Ki-moon also thanked the Nigerian leader for his commitment to issues on climate change and that the government should “own the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” for the good of its citizens. [myad]

We Will Support Criminal Prosecution Of Dame Patience If— Niger Delta Militant Group

Greenbarge Reporters

September 22, 2016

A militant group in the Niger Delta, Niger Delta Peoples Professional Volunteer Force (NDPPVF), has promised to support the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) in pressing a criminal prosecution of Dame Patience, wife of the immediate past President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan over the controversial $15 Million alleged loot.
The militant group, in a statement, however insisted that Dame Patience must be given an opportunity to state her own side of the case on how she earned the $15 million. This is coming on the heels of Dame Patience’s legal battle with the EFCC, as she claims that the $15 million belonged to her.
The NDPPVF’s statement, signed by its spokesperson, Parkinson George-Amabo, said: “as a matter of fact, the EFCC has launched a criminal investigation of Mrs. Jonathan and in the process, frozen her bank accounts domiciled with a Nigerian commercial bank without affording her opportunity to state her own side of the matter.
“Nobody is above the law. The NDPPVF does not support or condone corruption. If Mrs. Jonathan was found to be corrupt, we shall not hesitate to call for her prosecution.
“We, however, have a grouse with the modus operandi of Mrs. Jonathan’s investigation, given her status as the wife of a former deputy governor, former governor, former vice-president, former acting president and finally, former president.
“She is perhaps, the only Nigerian woman – dead or alive – with such an impressive and fortuitous pedigree; which accounts for why the EFCC needs to thread with caution.
“Recently, there have been calls on the attorney-general of the federation as well as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest and prosecute the former First Lady for alleged money laundering.
“We shall simultaneously bomb the 4 wings of the NNPC Towers the day it is announced that MRS. PATIENCE GOODLUCK JONATHAN has been arrested by the EFCC.” [myad]

1...1,7461,7471,748...2,500 Page 1,747 of 2,500