PMB, GEJ's lives in danger - Top 15 quotes

There is great tension over the renewal of hostilities within the Niger Delta region and there are fears that the life of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan is in danger.

The Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari has also been threatened by the insurgent group, Boko Haram, even as the quest for peace seem a far cry in Nigeria.

Below are 15 quotes which tell in details what Nigeria is passing through, even as the nation continues to battle terrorism and insurgency in various parts of the country.

1. “We have no doubt in our mind that MEND, as a group contracted to go after Jonathan with the mind of assassinating him, has yet to abandon this criminal and ignominious craving."

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, ex-president of Nigeria raising an alarm that his life is under threat by militants.

In a statement made by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze on Sunday August 7, Jonathan said the list of sponsors by the splinter group Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) was political, adding that it was part of an attempt to assassinate him.

2. "To you, President Buhari, very soon you will see us inside your home the presidential palace. You will hear from us right in there by the will of God."

More threats coming from Abubakar Shekau, the embattled leader of Boko Haram, who once again threatened to attack President Muhammadu Buhari, military chiefs and other senior officials in a new video recently released by the terrorist group.

3. “We have no desire to fight our Muslim brethren.”

Shekau, in a new 24-minute video, ridiculed suggestions that he was dead, and looked more composed and energetic than in previous appearances.

4.  "I wish to advise the Nigerian government to look for better ways to resolve the Niger Delta problem, and not to continue to compound the issue by relaying on voodoo means to resolve the issue."

Ex-Niger Delta militants leader Tompolo denying allegations that he is one of the sponsors of the militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

Tompolo, who described the allegations ‘voodoo’, made this denial on Monday, August 8, through a press statement issued by his spokesman, Paul Bebenimibo.

5. "Indeed, the problem in the Niger Delta today has nothing to do with the current Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Far from it! The problem is simply, the failure of Mr. Jonathan to address the root issues confronting the region when he was at the helm."

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has replying Goodluck Jonathan, insisting he is responsible for the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers.

6. "Well, I don’t think there is anybody more corrupt in this country like the former President. I believe you are talking about the former President Olusegun Obasanjo."

Ex Nigerian president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo being described as the most corrupt Nigerian.

This assertion was made by Ghali Na’Abba, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives who stated during an interview on Saturday, August 6, that the former president lacks the integrity to call members of the National Assembly as corrupt people.

7. "Those in authority should appreciate the fact that they hold power in trust for the people. They should listen and be prepared to make policy changes that address the welfare of the common people."

Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, asking the federal government to be considerate of the citizens and do away with anti-people policies.

Speaking at a town hall meeting in Abuja on Monday, August 8, 2016, Sultan Abubakar advised the government that to work with the people adding that where a policy is seen to be anti-people, it must be immediately reviewed.

The Sun reports him as saying policies should be in the interest of the people, noting that if policies do not work, there was nothing wrong in reviewing them.

8. “Suddenly, we’re a poor country, but commitment to transparency and accountability is not making people know that there is severe shortage.”

President Muhammadu Buhari stating that the last year was really difficult for Nigeria and consequently the country became very poor.

The president revealed this while receiving the United Nations Population Fund’s Executive Director and Under Secretary-General of the United Nations, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, at the presidential villa, Abuja on August 11, Thursday.

9. "It is a painful decision to tell people to vote Buhari, but the country needed a new beginning."

Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka visited President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Rock, causing some speculation on what could have given rise to such a visit.

While speaking on why he visited, Soyinka said that they discussed matters of national and international importance and that was all he was willing to divulge.

10. “We are all running one project which is project Nigeria adding that if we are running project Nigeria, all hands must be a deck to move the country to the level we all expect and dream of and that is the essence of the whole thing.”

Governor Emmanuel clarifying the purpose of his visit to the Aso Rock villa on August 9, Tuesday. He stated that his visit to was to brief President Buhari on the security situation in Akwa Ibom state.

The governor speaking with state house correspondents after the meeting underlined that Buhari is father to all regardless party connections.

11. "It is unfortunate that many Nigerians are hypocrites. When they hear witches or read about witches, what comes to their mind is evil or darkness."

Secretary of Witches and Wizards Association of Nigeria (WITCAN), Dr Okhue Iboi coming out to publicly urge Nigerians to stop persecuting them but to make their opinions count on issues affecting the country.

The secretary of WITCAN made his voice heard while speaking about the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Edo State, shortly after their meeting in Irrua, Edo state.

12. "The revelation by the splinter group of Niger Delta Avengers abojut the sponsors of Niger Delta Avengers has vindicated my earlier position."

Chief Ayiri Emami urging President Muhammadu Buhari to critically investigate Goodluck Jonathan and other persons named as sponsors of Niger Delta Avengers.

A splinter group, Reformed Niger Delta Avengers had listed some top officials including the former president as sponsors of the Avengers and Emami has advised the president not to take the revelation lightly.

13. “For the avoidance of doubt, I hereby state categorically that I do not have any relationship or association whatsoever either as a sympathizer or sponsor of any militant group, including the Avengers.”

Chief Olisa Metuh, the former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) addressing allegations that he is the sponsor of the Niger Delta Avengers.

The ex-PDP strongman whose health is not steady at the moment is also embroiled in the Dasukigate scandal, denied ever sponsoring the militants and asked those involving him in the allegations to leave him alone.

14. “The advantage of this is that it will open door for more marketers to commence importation of kerosene just like petrol.”

Announcement that Nigerians will now purchase kerosene from petrol stations at a newly-fixed rate according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

This information was made available by Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, the south Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

15. "Priority attention was given to assist the States and Local Govts pay the salaries of workers, which were several months in arrears."

Vice president Yomi Osinbajo revealing the economic agenda of the government in the bid to stabilize the tottering economy even as the harsh conditions bite harder.

Speaking at the 2016 presidential policy dialogue session which was organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Lagos on Thursday, Osinbajo said the government will release N100 billion in the next few days to increase money in circulation.

Source: Legit.ng