Jonathan too refined to sponsor militants against Nigeria - Kinsmen

Kinsmen of the former President Goodluck Jonathan under the um­brella of Ogbia Brotherhood, have described as baseless and mischievous the allegation that he is behind the emergence of Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) against the Federal Govern­ment.

The group said that Jona­than is known to be an em­bodiment of peace, stability and from his pedigree, he has firm belief in the sanctity of life and the unity of the country.

At a media interactive session in Yenagoa by the National Chairman, Chief Benson Agadaga and the Secretary-General, Chaplain Ogiriki Ebutu, the kinsmen condemned the dangerous and spurious allegations against the former President.

“It is unthinkable that the former President, by any iota of imagination, could be linked with sponsoring or even estab­lishing an armed outfit like the Niger Delta Avengers to antag­onise the government where he has just served as President with the goodwill of Nigerians.

“May I add with unequivo­cal terms that the allegation lacks substance and does not bear true reflection or sem­blance of the nature, origi­nal beliefs, and intent of this prominent son of Ogbia who hold the revered title of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Ogbia people, for instance, are not historically known for fanning the ember of war or reckless shedding of blood for any rea­son. Jonathan appears to have inherited his political disposi­tion from our political father, Chief Melford Okilo of blessed memory.”

Chief Agadaga, who is a for­mer Commissioner for Infor­mation in Bayelsa, noted that the allegations were targeted at rubbishing the political status of the former President.

“The status of Dr Goodluck Jonathan cannot be canceled with the hypocritical excuse of non-performance and fail­ing to develop the Niger Delta region. The Niger Delta cannot benefit anything by eliminat­ing or frustrating Dr Jonathan, our only national and interna­tional voice.”