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Nigeria to suffer if anything happens to Jonathan, Ijaw youths threaten

By Innocent Anoruo, Opeyemi Babalola (Lagos), Ann Godwin (Port Harcourt) and Matthew Ogune (Abuja)
08 April 2022   |   2:42 am
The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide has warned that the entire Niger Delta and the Ijaw nation would “rise in an unprecedented revolution that would completely shut down Nigeria

[FILES] Goodluck Jonathan. Photo: TWITTER/GEJONATHAN

Allege plot to kill ex-president, urge a thorough investigation
• Wike, Diri, groups register condolences

The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide has warned that the entire Niger Delta and the Ijaw nation would “rise in an unprecedented revolution that would completely shut down Nigeria’s economy” if anything happens to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Reacting to Wednesday’s auto crash that claimed two security details in the former President’s convoy in Abuja, IYC alleged that the incident was planned to eliminate Jonathan.

In a statement, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, by its National President, Peter Timothy Igbifa, the group maintained that the ex-leader is not just an asset to the country, but also a priceless and cherished gift to the global community because of his disposition for peace and entrenchment of democratic values in Africa and the world.

It, therefore, called on security agencies, especially the police, to thoroughly investigate the circumstances that led to the accident and beef up security around Jonathan.

RIVERS State Governor Nyesom Wike has celebrated Jonathan’s miraculous escape from the crash.

In a statement by his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, the governor said it was a thing of joy that the erstwhile chief executive of Nigeria came out unscathed.

He sympathised with the families of the victims and wished those with injuries a speedy recovery.

HIS Bayelsa counterpart, Douye Diri, regretted the fatalities, describing the accident as unfortunate.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Daniel Alabrah, in a condolence message, yesterday, stated that as a special son of Bayelsa, the governor and the whole state share in the grief of the erstwhile Nigerian leader.

BESIDES, a group backing Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for the 2023 presidential election, Democratic Reformers, has condoled with the ex-president over the auto crash.

The ex-leader was leaving the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for his residence in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) when cars conveying security details in his convoy reportedly collided, leading to the death of the two cops.

Describing the incident as sad and unfortunate, the support group prayed for the repose of the lost souls, while also extending sympathies to their families.

A condolence message signed by the North Central Coordinator of the group, Jimoh Ogirimah, reads: “Our sincere condolences go to former President Goodluck Jonathan and the families of the victims in the sad and unfortunate crash involving his convoy on Wednesday.

“We pray that the Almighty (God) grants the deceased quick repose and their families the fortitude to bear the loss.”

The group also prayed for a quick and complete recovery for injured security officials receiving medical care.

ALSO, the Greenlight Initiative said the accident was an indication of a dire need to implement the United Nations’ (UN) new Action Plan 2021-2030 targeted at halving the over 1.35 million road deaths globally by 2030.

Its Executive Director, Simon Obi, who stated this in a statement, yesterday, in Abuja, noted that it was important for Nigeria to speedily implement the action plan that seeks to prioritise the safety of vulnerable road users such as children and young people.

Lamenting that the consequences of auto crashes negate development, Obi regretted that more than three to seven per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would be lost yearly if road safety is not prioritised.

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