Jonathan Making Efforts To Stop Probe Of Ex-Ministers, Aides

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqZ03_T9WkBkUEb59BSgo7LJTuvIfp4YwOnSnwDU70NL-uIzMJDUJdHxgZN9NTuHlOz2XLgMFtRw4ECkeNpD2vSiRKP4R8j5NROJ5U4lhnVFfWIY9O2MFCOCm7OYhYb6XfE6fDsH0MN9g/s1600/GEJ+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqZ03_T9WkBkUEb59BSgo7LJTuvIfp4YwOnSnwDU70NL-uIzMJDUJdHxgZN9NTuHlOz2XLgMFtRw4ECkeNpD2vSiRKP4R8j5NROJ5U4lhnVFfWIY9O2MFCOCm7OYhYb6XfE6fDsH0MN9g/s1600/GEJ+004.jpg" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>ABUJA, NIGERIA - Former President Goodluck Jonathan may have failed in his bid to shield some of his former aides and ministers from being probed.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> It was learnt that the Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar Peace Committee has been unable to have audience with President Muhammadu Buhari with whom Dr. Jonathan would like the committee to put in a world.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Jonathan had anticipated a peace session between him and the President at the instance of the Abdulsalami Committee, which played a major role in ensuring peace during the general elections.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Gen. Abdulsalami was said to have tried to reach out to the President about five times but state duties did not allow a meeting.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Jonathan, who arrived in the country about a week ago, is said to be worried about the fate of his former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) and detention of his ex-Chief Security Officer (CSO), Mr. Gordon Obuah.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> There were reports yesterday that his former Aide-de-Camp, and later Chief Personal Security Officer, Mr. Moses Jitoboh, had been picked up by security agents, but <i><a href="http://thenationonlineng.net/jonathan-fails-to-shield-ex-ministers-from-probe/">The Nation</a> </i>could not confirm this.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Initially, the arrest of Jitoboh was linked to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) but a source in the anti-graft agency denied knowledge of such.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Many of Jonathan's ministers have relocated abroad.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> According to sources, Buhari has decided not to compromise his focus to "retrieve" ill-gotten wealth from some top officials in Jonathan's administration.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> A source said: </div> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Jonathan had approached the Abdulsalami Committee to intervene and prevail on Buhari to stop scandalising his administration and haunting his former aides/ex-ministers. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Jonathan has been saying that Buhari's attitude so far was not yet in line with the peace agreement the two leaders entered into before the 2015 general elections. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> But the committee members, especially Abdulsalami, have not been able to have audience with the President due to the President's tight state duties or commitments. </div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The President hosted ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo to a dinner to break the Ramadan fast. But the two leaders could not talk much on the state of the nation as Obasanjo insisted on going back to Abeokuta at 9pm, <b><a href="http://thenationonlineng.net/jonathan-fails-to-shield-ex-ministers-from-probe/">The Nation</a> </b>learnt.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "So, Jonathan has really run into a brick wall in his plans to seek soft-landing for some of his aides and ex-ministers," the source said.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The pre-election agreement between Buhari and Jonathan does not cover shielding corrupt suspects from prosecution, the source added.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> A source in the Presidency said: </div> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> We really do not know what agreement Jonathan and his group are talking about. The Abuja Accord and the Peace Agreement border on peaceful conduct of the 2015 elections, free and fairness of the process, acceptance of the outcome and the preservation of the nation's unity. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> There is nowhere it is stated that those who looted the treasury should either not be questioned or legally arrested by the relevant agencies. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> It is important to clear the air on this matter. What the President promised was not to witch-hunt. And he even said ex-President Jonathan had nothing to fear.</div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> It was learnt that some former ministers with sensitive portfolios where funds were mismanaged have relocated overseas.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Although most of these ex-ministers promised to return home any time they are invited, only two or three of them have been coming to Nigeria.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> A former minister said: "I have been around. I have not gone anywhere. I am trying to earn my legitimate living.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "The former President said he was in a cage while in power. I have also realized that we were all in a cage. We have to support the present administration to succeed."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Another former Minister said: "Some of us have tried to lie low because we have paid our dues. We only need to rally round the new government."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The March accord, which was fostered by the National Peace Committee on 2015 Elections, was read by Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah at Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The joint statement by Jonathan and Buhari, said: </div> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> You may recall that on 14th January, 2015, both of us, along with nine other party leaders, signed what has now come to be known as the Abuja Accord. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The substance of that Accord was our commitment to free, fair and credible elections in our dear country. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In the accord, we agreed to, among other things, run an issue-based campaign and pledged that our electoral campaigns will not involve any religious incitement, ethnic or tribal profiling, both by ourselves and all agents acting in our names. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Now that the campaigns have come to an end, we meet today to renew our pledge for peaceful elections. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> We therefore call on all fellow citizens of our dear country, and our party supporters, to refrain from violence or any act that may in any way jeopardise our collective vision of a free, fair and credible election. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In addition, we call on INEC and all security agencies to ensure strict adherence to their constitutional roles. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> We also pledge to respect the outcome of free, fair and credible elections. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Today (Thursday), we again renew our commitment to a united, democratic and prosperous Nigeria. We want to urge all Nigerians to stand together at this critical phase of our nation's history.</div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <i><span style="color: blue;">Have you got a news tip, article or press release for us? 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Jonathan Making Efforts To Stop Probe Of Ex-Ministers, Aides

ABUJA, NIGERIA - Former President Goodluck Jonathan may have failed in his bid to shield some of his former aides and ministers from be...

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