A
abujagirl
Guest
Mr. Ifeanyi Odili, Convener of the Conference of Nigerian Civil Rights Activists and a leader of Campaign for Democracy, has joined the league of individuals linking former President Goodluck Jonathan to Niger Delta militancy.
Odili in a interview with PUNCH said that Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND and the Reformed Niger Delta were right in linking Jonathan to the Niger Delta Avengers.
''People should be curious because they seem not to realise that in Nigeria, everything is possible. The question of whether it is right or wrong (to accuse Goodluck Jonathan of sponsoring the Avengers) has not arisen. The question should be: can he possibly allow himself to be involved in such unpatriotic act? The answer to the question can go either way. I am from the Niger Delta; I know what some of us can do. Who was Jonathan before he became the vice president? As a nation, are we aware of his security antecedents? No Ijaw man is free from militancy. ''
He also accused Jonathan of not openly condemning attacks by Niger Delta militants.
''His body language speaks volume; it is conceived of so many meanings. At his level and being an elder statesman, such actions should not have come from his domain. He could have urged the militants to sheathe their sword. He cannot openly condemn the attack going by his body language. Some of us from the Niger Delta believed before now, that it was (President Muhammadu) Buhari who was sponsoring or instigating Boko Haram against the Jonathan’s government, being a southerner. Now that Buhari, a northerner is there, someone from the Niger Delta might think this is a time to revenge. ''
READ FULL INTERVIEW
Odili in a interview with PUNCH said that Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND and the Reformed Niger Delta were right in linking Jonathan to the Niger Delta Avengers.
''People should be curious because they seem not to realise that in Nigeria, everything is possible. The question of whether it is right or wrong (to accuse Goodluck Jonathan of sponsoring the Avengers) has not arisen. The question should be: can he possibly allow himself to be involved in such unpatriotic act? The answer to the question can go either way. I am from the Niger Delta; I know what some of us can do. Who was Jonathan before he became the vice president? As a nation, are we aware of his security antecedents? No Ijaw man is free from militancy. ''
He also accused Jonathan of not openly condemning attacks by Niger Delta militants.
''His body language speaks volume; it is conceived of so many meanings. At his level and being an elder statesman, such actions should not have come from his domain. He could have urged the militants to sheathe their sword. He cannot openly condemn the attack going by his body language. Some of us from the Niger Delta believed before now, that it was (President Muhammadu) Buhari who was sponsoring or instigating Boko Haram against the Jonathan’s government, being a southerner. Now that Buhari, a northerner is there, someone from the Niger Delta might think this is a time to revenge. ''
READ FULL INTERVIEW