Former President Goodluck Jonathan has, again, denied allegations that he is sponsoring the leading militant group operating in the oil-rich region of southern Nigeria, Niger Delta Avengers.
The former President said this in a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, on Thursday, August 18, 2016.
Newspapers like Punch, quoted an anonymous source in the presidency who said that both the former president and first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan are under investigation for allegedly sponsoring the militants.
Jonathan, however, said that the media reports are being sponsored by those who feel intimidated by his rising profile in Nigeria and abroad.
“It is sad that the two publications wore the cloak of deceit from the same misguided characters that are hell-bent on pulling down the former president, despite his clear record of diligent service to his country and long standing commitment to the good of society,” the statement said.
“There is no doubt that there exists such people who may have scores to settle with the former president but are now feeling frustrated by the fact that his national and international profile has continued to rise, despite their recourse to endless muck-raking character assassination.
“Such people will stop at nothing to continue to throw obstacles, albeit futilely, on his path,” the statement said.
This is the second time, in the same number of weeks that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has had to deny links with the militants who have been mounting attacks on important oil installations in the Niger Delta region and promise to announce a free Niger Delta Republic on October 1.
