This one is not oga “We will not take it”. Against the backdrop of
recent invitation of former President Goodluck Jonathan by a Federal
High Court and sundry statements made against his person, a Niger Delta
Commentator and Ijaw leader, Hon. Kennedy Orubebe, has said that Nigeria
will burn if the former President is arrested.
Speaking to Sunday Telegraph in Warri, Delta State, Orubebe, a founding
member of the Federated Niger Delta Izon Communities (FNDIC) and PANDEF,
said any effort to probe the ex-President should commence with thorough
investigation into all sleaze practices carried out under previous
Presidents and Heads of state.
Orubebe said: “I vehemently say that for them to make any mistake of
arresting Jonathan will not augur well for the present government. But
we know that past Presidents and Heads of State in the country have
committed a lot of atrocities against this country and nobody raised an
eyebrow. I repeat if Buhari’s government makes any attempt to arrest
President Jonathan, it will not be taken kindly particularly by the
Ijaws. In fact, the country will burn.
“I know for sure that Buhari’s government will not arrest Jonathan. So,
let’s leave it like that. But in case it happens, the entire Niger Delta
will boil and Buhari will not be comfortable wherever he is. In fact,
government should not think of that.
“Although Jonathan ignored his people when he was in power and developed
the North, be that as it may, let this government remember that he
(Jonathan) came from somewhere because he remains our son no matter
what.
“If the government wants to make any arrest, they should start from the
past Presidents and Heads of State that did something unconstitutional
against this country. I remember that Chief Obasanjo’s name was
mentioned in the Halliburton scandal; so, they should not think of
arresting Dr. Jonathan because it will backfire seriously on them.”
He decried what he referred to as disparaging statements made against
Jonathan by Buhari’s aides, stating that that was uncalled for.
According to him, there is nothing unusual about opposition party
speaking against politics of the incumbent, provided they are based on
facts.
He advised Jonathan, however, to maintain a dignified silence and feel
free to offer advice privately to President Buhari when need be, even as
he (Jonathan) should speak out when his government or person is being
vilified or Nigerians are fed with lies about him.
