The Acting National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Timi Frank, has dismissed recent protests by some groups in the Niger Delta in support of the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience.
He said it was disheartening that any group in the region could hold a protest in favour of Mrs. Jonathan at the Port Harcourt zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, over the freezing of her account containing about $31.4m.
This was contained in a statement by Frank in Abuja, on Sunday.
Frank described threats by the groups as empty and baseless.
He said, “My candid advice to Mrs. Patience Jonathan is to apologise to Nigerians for the current economic hardship which Mr. Jonathan’s regime could have easily averted instead of sponsoring shameless protests against the government. Anyway, Nigerians are still waiting for the apology.”
The statement warned youths to desist from such shameless act of defending politicians for a pot of soup, adding that the current APC administration was fighting corruption so as to secure future.
He explained that it took the intervention of the current administration to inaugurate a water project in Otuoke, Bayelsa State where Jonathan was born.
“The show of shame called protest at the Port Harcourt office of the EFCC to demand the unfreezing of Mrs. Jonathan’s dollar accounts was uncalled for. And there is nothing wrong if the former first lady explains the source of the $31.4m to anti-corruption agencies.
“The country is presently going through recession as a result of mismanagement of the economy left behind by Patience Jonathan’s husband led administration which the APC is working hard to correct as soon as possible.
“It should be made clear that there is nothing wrong for the EFCC to invite Mrs. Patience Jonathan for questioning if the organisation suspects a foul play in the accumulation of such big amount of money.
“Again, the era of ‘I’m above the law’ is over. This is a change government of accountability where the rule of law is paramount.
“The number four citizen of this country today, Senate President Bukola Saraki, whose office is prominently recognised by the constitution is facing trial and why not one former first lady that is not recognised by the Nigerian constitution?”
PUNCH
