Barely
24 hours after President Goodluck Jonathan’s reply to an earlier letter written
to him by former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, the nation’s security agencies
have concluded arrangements to “interview” the former leader, for him to
“explain details” of some of the allegations he made in the letter.
LEADERSHIP
gathered that but for the absence of the former leader from the country, an
inter-departmental team of the nation’s security apparatus was on the verge of
visiting Obasanjo in Abeokuta or at his farm in Otta, Ogun State on the
mission, which a source called “routine”.
It
was also gathered that even though President Jonathan had in his response to
the former president’s letter given indications that relevant security agencies
would probe some of the allegations in the December 2, 2013 letter sent to him,
the move to investigate had indeed been concluded before the president’s letter
that was released to the press Sunday night.
According
to the source, the inter-departmental security team has in it representatives
of the Department of State Service (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA)
and the Police.
Regardless
of the arrangement, the source said it was not meant to be an invitation, as
such could be misinterpreted as government’s moving against those with
dissenting voices.
“The
best the security agencies can do under this circumstance is to interview the
former president for us to be given the opportunity to know from him what the
nation’s security community did not know before now.
“You
ought to know that security apparatus does not work like politicians; anywhere
and whenever politicians have problems, security agencies tend to steer clear,
because they know how they settle their differences.
“But
in this case, certain issues have been unravelled in form of allegations in the
said letter, which in the thinking of those in the best position, requires that
further information be sought from the former president.
“But
the only thing is that he has to be given first charge respect as a former
president of the country; it is either the team visits him in Abeokuta or in
his Otta farm or anywhere he deems necessary, in order for him to explain
details to the team,” he said.
He
further said, “This is very important and needs not to be politicised, because
some of the issues border on the nation’s security and security of individuals
who are players in the polity.”
Obasanjo,
had in his letter sent to President Jonathan, alleged that he was training a
killer squad to watch over 1,000 perceived political opponents.
Part
of the letter had read: “Allegation of keeping over 1000 people on political
watch list rather than criminal or security watch list and training snipers and
other armed personnel secretly and clandestinely acquiring weapons to match for
political purposes like Abacha and training them where Abacha trained his own
killers, if it is true, it cannot augur well for the initiator, the government
and the people of Nigeria.
“Here
again, there is the lesson of history to learn from for anybody who cares to
learn from history. Mr. President would always remember that he was elected to
maintain security for all Nigerians and protect them.
“And
no one should prepare to kill or maim Nigerians for personal or political
ambition or interest of anyone.
The
Yoruba adage says, ‘The man with whose head coconut is broken may not live to
savour the taste of the succulent fruit.’ Those who advise you to go hard on
those who oppose you are your worst enemies.
Democratic
politics admits and is permissive of supporters and opponents. When the
consequences come, those who have wrongly advised you will not be there to help
carry the can. Egypt must teach some lesson.”
When
contacted the special adviser to the president on political matters, Ahmed
Gulak said, “Whether or not the security agencies have set up a team to either
have audience with the former president or not remains within the purview of
the security agencies.
Only
the office of the NSA or any other relevant security official can answer that
question because it is not a political matter but a security one.
“Besides,
you have read the president’s reply; he made it clear that the security
agencies will probe; so take it like that.”
SSS
keeps mum
When LEADERSHIP contacted the spokesperson of the SSS, Marilyn Ogar, through calls and text messages, there was no reply as at press time.
The
text message reads: “Good evening Ma, kindly confirm the information that the
SSS is to quiz former President Olusegun Obasanjo in connection with his letter
to President Jonathan. We need the confirmation for a balanced report. Prompt
reply will be appreciated, Ma. Thank you.”
Tags
Politics
Right move
ReplyDeleteGud one
ReplyDeleteNigeria needs to be sound. Right move. We are waiting.
ReplyDeleteThe law is not a respecter of anyone. Cabal or no cabal. The law is the law.
ReplyDeleteJonathan can't deceive Nigerians. You are a colossal failure
ReplyDeleteLike your family
DeleteYou guys think obj is stupid and will level such accusation without proof. Gej knows that everything written in this letter is true so he will only look for a truce
ReplyDeleteDon't u ever say wat u don't know!GEJ does nt av d stomach 4 violence.Obj wants 2 eat his cate and still av it doesn't work like dat.
ReplyDeleteBwahaha...Coward baba Iyabo aka the runaway soldier, I tot u said that u re not scared of dieth, your cup is filled? Welldone my president (GEJ) is now at work.
ReplyDelete