Politics

Is Jonathan seeking asylum in Cote D’Ivoire?

Published

8 years ago

May 23, 2016

There are indications that former President Goodluck Jonathan may be seeking political asylum in the Cote D’Ivoire as a way of escaping possible arrest by the EFCC.

Following allegations that billions of dollars were either stolen or mismanaged during the five year period of Jonathan, the anti-graft body has picked up several for,er officials of that administration.

Close relatives, associates and aides of the former president have also been arrested or interrogated, fuelling speculations that it was only a matter of time before the EFCC looks the way of Jonathan.

A report by This Day said several sources close to the ex-president, confirmed that he had sought refuge last week in
the West African country, blaming “the decision by President Muham madu Buhari to renege on his promise that his predecessor had ‘nothing to fear’ from him (Buhari) after he handed over the reins of power on May 29, 2015”.

The arrest of Jonathan’s cousin, Mr. Aziobola Robert, in connection to a $40 million pipeline surveillance contract, and his former principal secretary and confidant Mr. Hassan Tukur, are said to have spooked him, given that they were the two persons closest to him during his presidency.

The paper said that Jonathan may have been warned by security sources of the plan to arrest him once he stepped into the country, hence his decision to seek exile in Cote d’Ivoire.

While in the UK, he was reportedly warned by sympathetic officials in different arms of government of the government’s decision to arrest him once he returned to Nigeria.

On getting wind of the plan, Jonathan, it was gathered, contacted a few West African leaders including the President of Cote d’Iviore, Mr. Alassane Outtara, who offered him a safe haven until the coast is clear for him to return to
Nigeria.

The plan to arrest Jonathan it was learned may have prompted the renewed hostilities in the NIger Delta region with the militants seemingly determined to shutdown oil output completely.

Sources said the militants are targeting all onshore and shallow water installations, from where Nigeria derives the bulk of 90 per cent of its foreign exchange earnings and may head for the deep offshore oil fields if the federal government does not back down.

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