The Ijaw Youths under the umbrella of Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of laying ground works which will ultimately lead in the arrest of the former president Goodluck Jonathan.
The group however based on the claim has advised the EFCC to stay off the course as arresting the former president will do more harm than good to the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
The IYC President, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, speaking at a news conference on Saturday to mark the burial of a former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, said the anti-graft agency has arrested most of the former president’s allies.
He further condemned the arrest and detention of the ex-president’s cousin, Mr. Robert Azibaola by the EFCC over an alleged $40 million contract fraud adding that the group will not allow the EFCC prosecute the former president, Jonathan, his cousin, Azibaola or any rising Ijaw leader.
“They have arrested almost all our people. Azibaola was arrested by the EFCC and we are calling on the EFCC to stop persecuting him further and charge him to court if there are issues.
“They detained him for a long time, forcing him to make statements to indict former President Jonathan. Azibaola is a businessman, a contractor, and has the right, like every other Nigerian, to get contracts. Why will the Niger Delta case be a different one?
“We noticed that the same way they persecuted Alamieyeseigha has continued. After Goodluck Jonathan, our people who contributed to that administration, are being persecuted by this government.
“The recent one is the ploy to arrest Goodluck Jonathan, which is unfolding every day. This must stop. Goodluck Jonathan is the most performing President that Nigeria has ever had. We are proud of him.
“Everyday, there is a calculated attempt to whittle down the achievements of former President Jonathan. We call on Nigerians to mount pressure on the government to focus on leading Nigeria right rather than looking for ways to bring down the achievements of Jonathan.
“Buhari should please focus on governance rather than persecution of people who have added value. We are not happy about it and today, we use Alamieyeseigha’s death as a point of contact. The world has seen that from Alamieyeseigha, it has trickled down to all the Niger Delta people.”
