OlalekanAdetayo, Abuja

The revelation that former President Goodluck Jonathan or some people sympathetic to him are behind the spate of bombings being witnessed in the Niger Delta was first made at a meeting inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja,Saturday PUNCH has learnt.

There have been media reports that the Presidency is in possession of security report allegedly linking Jonathan to the formation and activities of the Niger Delta Avengers.

The intelligence report was said to have confirmed that oil installations were mined before the May 29, 2015 handover to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Although Jonathan had denied the allegation twice, a top government official, who spoke with our correspondent on Friday, confirmed that such report is currently available.

The source said the revelation was first made by “those who should know” at a meeting held in the seat of power some months back.

He said the meeting was attended by some leaders from the South South, including state governors from the region.

The meeting was called as part of efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.

The source said, “You know that leaders from the region, including the governors are also affected by the violence in the region.

“The situation is affecting their revenue and they cannot meet many of their obligations. So, they were also interested in finding a lasting solution to the matter.

“It was in one of such meetings called to find a solution that that revelation was made. It was confirmed that there was indeed Plan B and that those who held the view that Jonathan must continue as President by all means were shocked that he conceded victory to Buhari.”

The source, however, said only security agencies would be able to exonerate Jonathan at the end of the day.

When asked if Buhari had indeed directed security agencies to investigate Jonathan, the source said, “The President does not have to give such order before security agencies will know that with the allegations becoming more pronounced, especially from MEND, they need to investigate.

“For a fact, this President will not stop security agencies from investigating anybody, no matter how highly placed.

“It is also in the interest of the former President that the matter is thoroughly investigated. It is also in his interest to come out clean on the matter.

“We need to know whether he is personally involved in the plan or whether it was those sympathetic to him that hatched the plan.”

But the Rivers State Governor, Mr. NyesomWike, in a telephone interview with our correspondent denied that such revelation was made at a meeting of South South leaders.

Describing the allegation as a “wicked lie”, Wike said, “There is no truth in that allegation. Those behind the allegation are suffering from acute malaria.

“Those who are spreading such a huge allegation against the former President will never know peace. They are liars.”

Also, the former President had in a statement on Thursday by his Media Aide, Ikechukwu Eze, denied the allegation, saying Jonathan’s enemies were jealous of his rising profile.

lalasticlala

Onix01:
Another propaganda to demean and tarnish the past president GEJ. My understanding with the current situation of NDA and GEJ's connection is highly influenced by the pipeline contract fully given to some groups back then. This enables the group to plant bombs in various locations towards the election period inorder to destabilise the Nation in case theirs didn't win. GEJ made loads of mistake but we should put his regime to rest and focus on what we have ahead for the sake of our children. His good will of not declaring elections inconclusive shows his love for the Nation. I admired GEJ's Patriotism for Nigeria, though I didn't vote him coz of his careless statement while in power (Corruption isn't stealing).

Onix01:
Another propaganda to demean and tarnish the past president GEJ. My understanding with the current situation of NDA and GEJ's connection is highly influenced by the pipeline contract fully given to some groups back then. This enables the group to plant bombs in various locations towards the election period inorder to destabilise the Nation in case theirs didn't win. GEJ made loads of mistake but we should put his regime to rest and focus on what we have ahead for the sake of our children. His good will of not declaring elections inconclusive shows his love for the Nation. I admired GEJ's Patriotism for Nigeria, though I didn't vote him coz of his careless statement while in power (Corruption isn't stealing).

Eazybay:
Lolzzz dey have been rigged with time-bombs? Even boko Neva fit do dat one!! Tell me sth, and the people killing soldiers sent to the creeks rigged dem with mines too? IMHO I think these vandals already know the military positions and pipeline routes too well

antispexish:


liked GEJ in 2011, but by 2012/2013, he had destroyed any hope of being liked again by me!. always setting up committees that wunt solve anything, allowing Nigeria to have multiple presidents at ones .

newbornmacho:

Hope you're enjoying buhari. A person who rejects good luck has only one option left...

Businessideas:
This is punch newspaper report,Punch Newspaper is the most authoritative Nigerian newspaper.Jonathan has a case to answer!!! All of them should be arrested and tried for economic crimes against murder of our soldiers in Nembe, an Ijaw territory not far from Otuoke, Jonathan's village in Bayelsa

QuotaSystem:
Just tell the world what links Niger Delta scAvengers with Sokoto Prince Dasuki apart from Jonathan, and why Dasuki's release would be part of their demands, if not to shield their sponsor and scuttle investigations into his administration and the arms to campaign funds scam.

Wail and shout as much as you like online, it will not stop the investigations on ground into the ineffectual buffoon and his links to the NDA. If he is indicted the game is over.

QuotaSystem:

Wail and shout as much as you like online, it will not stop the investigations on ground into the ineffectual buffoon and his links to the NDA. If he is indicted the game is over.

cktheluckyman:

[s]Empty noise!!! Where is your operation crocodile to stop the avengers Buhari will continue chasing shadows till oil drops below 1000000bpd [/s]

Onix01:
Another propaganda to demean and tarnish the past president GEJ. My understanding with the current situation of NDA and GEJ's connection is highly influenced by the pipeline contract fully given to some groups back then. This enables the group to plant bombs in various locations towards the election period inorder to destabilise the Nation in case theirs didn't win. GEJ made loads of mistake but we should put his regime to rest and focus on what we have ahead for the sake of our children. His good will of not declaring elections inconclusive shows his love for the Nation. I admired GEJ's Patriotism for Nigeria, though I didn't vote him coz of his careless statement while in power (Corruption isn't stealing).

TyrantInAsoRock:
Mehn

APC don tire me


Can't they do without lying

After successfully putting the man away

U have excellently fail to match him in

Instead to work harder

The next thing their damaged brain could think about is to drag him down to their level

Bunch of nicomp...

maclatunji:


Even what you posted indicts GEJ. The bros is in deep doo-doo.

QuotaSystem:
Just tell the world what links Niger Delta scAvengers with Sokoto Prince Dasuki apart from Jonathan, and why Dasuki's release would be part of their demands, if not to shield their sponsor and scuttle investigations into his administration and the arms to campaign funds scam.

Wail and shout as much as you like online, it will not stop the investigations on ground into the ineffectual buffoon and his links to the NDA. If he is indicted the game is over.