In what appears like a criticism of his
successor’s selective anti-corruption war, and intolerance for freedom
of speech, former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has tactically revealed
why he did not detain President Muhammadu Buhari, during his reign.
Recall, that prior to the 2015 election,
Buhari, the then Presidential candidate of the All Progressives
Congress, APC, had threatened violence, if the 2015 elections were
rigged in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
“If what happened in 2011 (alleged rigging) should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood.’’ Buhari had said.
Speaking at a dinner he attended in the
United States, on Saturday evening, Jonathan said, “under my watch, not a
single Nigerian was sent to prison, because of anything they wrote, or
said about me, or the administration that I headed,”
He added that, “Nigeria had neither political prisoners, nor political exile under my administration.”
Jonathan, who was the keynote Speaker at
the Nigerian Lawyers Association’s Annual Dinner and Merit Awards
ceremony, held in New York, mentioned some factors he considered to be
his administration’s democratic credentials.
In his speech posted on his Twitter page
on Saturday, he said, “I urge the Nigerian Lawyers in the US, and those
in the diaspora, to do their best to support the democratic
institutions we have built”.
His speech came at a time when several
of his Aides are being detained, and some prosecuted for alleged corrupt
practices, while many others have since absconded from the country.
Some of his former Aides being
prosecuted include: the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo
Dasuki, former Presidential Aide, Waripamowei Dudafa. Others being
investigated and currently in detention include: former Presidential
spokesperson, Reuben Abati, and ex-FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed.
The speech also followed an increasing crackdown by security agencies, on citizen Journalists, and bloggers.
In his speech, the former President also argued strongly for Nigeria’s diversity, and its inherent benefits.
“We must resist the push of ego, that may make us want to pursue a regional, or narrow agenda.” Jonathan ended his speech with a touch on transparency and accountability.“We enacted the Freedom of Information Act, and by that, we tore the veil of secrecy covering governance.” He noted.
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