Following reports that former president Goodluck Jonathan met with
president Buhari yesterday,it has been revealed that, the meeting was
facilitated by Former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami
Abubakar .
president Buhari yesterday,it has been revealed that, the meeting was
facilitated by Former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami
Abubakar .
According to the Nation, Thursday night’s meeting at the Villa
was at the instance of the 2015 Elections Peace Committee, following
complaints by Jonathan that the President was not sticking to the peace
accord they signed.
was at the instance of the 2015 Elections Peace Committee, following
complaints by Jonathan that the President was not sticking to the peace
accord they signed.
Jonathan also sought for understanding
on alleged corrupt practices and mismanagement of funds under his
administration, it was learnt.
on alleged corrupt practices and mismanagement of funds under his
administration, it was learnt.
A source said Jonathan claimed that he was hearing about some of the
graft allegations for the first time.But Buhari was said to have
insisted that all looted funds must be returned to the nation’s coffers.
graft allegations for the first time.But Buhari was said to have
insisted that all looted funds must be returned to the nation’s coffers.
He also restated his pledge that
Jonathan had nothing to fear at all, according to a source who pleaded
not to be named because of the “sensitivity” of the matter.
Jonathan had nothing to fear at all, according to a source who pleaded
not to be named because of the “sensitivity” of the matter.
The outcome of the session was said to
have informed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s declaration at the weekend
that the Buhari administration’s anti-corruption battle was not targeted
at Jonathan.
have informed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s declaration at the weekend
that the Buhari administration’s anti-corruption battle was not targeted
at Jonathan.
Jonathan was uncomfortable that Buhari
had moved against his ex-Chief Security Officer (CSO), ex-National
Security Adviser (NSA) and some ministers.
had moved against his ex-Chief Security Officer (CSO), ex-National
Security Adviser (NSA) and some ministers.
The source said Jonathan asked the Abdulsalami Committee to prevail on Buhari not to “rubbish” him.
The source said:
“For some weeks, Jonathan has been in the country to iron out some issues on his government.Based on Jonathan’s complaint,
Abdulsalami made efforts – five times- to get in touch with Buhari but
the ex-Head of State could not get through on time. I think Buhari
already had security reports on Jonathan’s emissary.”
At a point, Abdulsalami expressed his
frustration to some former Presidents who also prevailed on Buhari to
give the committee a chance to mediate.
frustration to some former Presidents who also prevailed on Buhari to
give the committee a chance to mediate.
The source added:
“This was how Abdulsalami succeeded in securing an appointment from Buhari for Jonathan with a caveat that the immediate past President should feel free to bare his mind.”
Giving an insight into the talks,
another source said:
another source said:
“Jonathan said he was hearing some of the
allegations, especially financial sleaze, against his administration for
the first time. He made it clear that he had nothing to do with some of
these corrupt practices.
“He said whatever steps or actions the
President intends to take; it should be within the framework of the
peace accord the two leaders signed. Obviously, he wanted soft
landing.“He also pledged to cooperate with Buhari as much as possible on
all steps he is going to take.”
Buhari, it was gathered, restated his
pledge that Joanthan had nothing to fear. But he said there was no going
back on the recovery of looted funds.
pledge that Joanthan had nothing to fear. But he said there was no going
back on the recovery of looted funds.
“The President reassured Jonathan that
he has no personal agenda against him. But he insisted that whatever was
stolen from the treasury must be returned,” the source said.
There were indications last night that
ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s visit to Buhari was part of moves to
“offer advice” to the President on the issues raised by Jonathan.
ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s visit to Buhari was part of moves to
“offer advice” to the President on the issues raised by Jonathan.
When contacted, the Special Adviser on
Media and Publicity to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina, said: “I am
aware that President Buhari met with ex-President Goodluck Jonathan but
it was behind closed doors. I don’t have the details of what they
discussed.”
Some of the issues which made Jonathan to seek peace talks with Buhari are:
- probe of $2.1billion illegally withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account without recourse to the National Economic Council(NEC);
- whereabouts of $4billion taxes and dividends paid by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited between 2009 and 2014;
- how the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) spent N3.8trillion in three years;
- likely trial of some ex-ministers; and
- list of looted funds, banks where they are kept and ex-ministers or government officials affected.