We Will Resist Any Attempt To Arrest GEJ – IYC

The Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC) has warned against what it perceives as the government’s attempt to arrest former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The group accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of subtly laying a foundation for the former President’s arrest.

The youth body also condemned EFCC’s arrest of Goodluck Jonathan’s cousin, Mr. Robert Azibaola, over an alleged $40m fraud.

Punch reports that the IYC President, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, said “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?”

He also said “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,” Eradiri said.

Justice Olasunbo Goodluck of an Abuja High Court , on Thursday, April 7, 2016, ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release on bail Mr. Azibaola Robert, who is reportedly a cousin to former President Goodluck Jonathan.