Nigeria’s former President Goodluck Jonathan along with his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan are visiting their home state of Bayelsa on Sunday, October 2, 2016 after marking the October 1 Independence Day in Abuja.
Dr. Jonathan, who has been dubbed by leading international organisations as the icon of democracy in Africa and the continent’s foremost statesman, had in his October 1 Independence Day Message posted on his Facebook page urged Nigerians to be patriotic and work on building Nigeria.
The Independence Day message of Dr. Jonathan which in part read thus: “I call on all my beloved countrymen and women to remain patriotic by praying for and supporting governments at all levels to build up Nigeria. Remember, do not think of who will make Nigeria great. Instead, think of how you will make Nigeria great. May God bless Nigeria and may God bless her people,” was personally signed with his trademark initials ‘GEJ’.
Dr. Jonathan was received at the Port Harcourt International Airport by close family members and well wishers with whom he exchanged pleasantries and thereafter departed for Bayelsa State.
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President Buhari has received criticisms from across Nigeria for what many consider an attack on the rising International profile of Dr. Jonathan through gestapo-styled machiavellian attempts to criminalise his wife, Mrs. Patience Jonathan over unsubstantiated and false allegations bordering on fraudulent self-enrichment. Lawyers across the country have however faulted claims by the EFCC and challenged them to provide evidence to backup their wild claims.
Speaking recently, a Port Harcourt based Lawyer, Barrister Jonas Iniayemana called on the EFCC to comply with the provisions of the Constitution, extant laws including the EFCC establishment Act regarding procedures and respect for the human rights of Mrs. Patience Jonathan, considering the presumption of her innocence until proven guilty by a competent court of law.
According to Barr. Iniayemana, “the actions of the EFCC smacks of desperation, and a vindictive mission to malign and expose the Jonathans to public ridicule and anger by portraying them as scapegoats for Nigeria’s current economic crisis, which in reality is in credit to the incompetence and ineptitude of the Buhari led administration.”
It is believed the former President and fountain of Nigeria’s democracy will be in Bayelsa for a short while before embarking on key international trips in furtherance of his pursuit for democracy and good governance within the African continent and around the world.
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