– Niger Delta militants under the aegis of Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC) say that Osinbajo’s tour of some Niger Delta states would not have been successful without the contributions of ex-president Goodluck Jonathan

– The JRC said Jonathan’s earlier visit to Gbaramatu kingdom made the atmosphere conducive for Osinbajo’s arrive

– The group praised Jonathan for his statesman-like act and intelligence in handling affairs of the region

Jonathan made Osinbajo’s tour of Niger Delta a success by visiting Gbaramatu Kingdom in December 2016, says Niger Delta militants

A group of Niger Delta militants have said that the successful tour of some states in the region by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo was made possible by moves made earlier by former president Goodluck Jonathan.

According to the group called Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC), Jonathan’s earlier visit to Gbaramatu kingdom made the atmosphere conducive for Osinbajo’s arrive.

The Guardian reports that in a statement released by the JRC spokesperson Cynthia Whyte, the group said: “In the past few months, Osinbajo had said the right words and a good number of people in the Niger Delta have expressed satisfaction with his utterances. We will continue to watch with cautious optimism. We however, wonder: Where were all these intellect and wisdom when his principal was in the saddle?

Osinbajo (right) speaking with Rivers governor Nyesom Wike during a stop over at Port Harcourt Airport on his Niger Delta tour that has been widely applauded.

“It is important that we commend former president Jonathan for watering the ground before the trip by VP/AP Osinbajo. It was Goodluck Jonathan who made Osinbajo’s trip a success.”

The militants also claimed that Jonathan action of visiting Gbaramatu kingdom in December 2016 and his utterances created the right atmosphere for the warm reception Osinbajo got in the region.

The statement added: “In the past few months, he had said the right words and a good number of people in the Niger Delta have expressed satisfaction with his utterances. We will continue to watch with cautious optimism. We however, wonder: Where were all these intellect and wisdom when his principal was in the saddle?

“It is important that we commend former president Jonathan for watering the ground before the trip by VP/AP Osinbajo. It was Goodluck Jonathan who made Osinbajo’s trip a success.

“It is truly difficult to understand why a Goodluck Jonathan, whose tenure had been so vilified, wants to work for the success of the same people who have continued to try so hard to denigrate him. The Niger Delta may be angry with Goodluck Jonathan, but that same zone may erupt in violence because of Jonathan.”

Meanwhile, in another move to save his party, former President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday, February 28, met with governors elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) over the leadership crisis rocking the opposition.

According to reports, governors that attended the meeting included Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa); Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe); Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); Dave Umahi (Ebonyi); Benedict Ayade (Cross River); Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom); Darius Ishaku (Taraba); Ayo Fayose (Ekiti); and the Deputy Governor of Rivers state, Ipalibo Banigo.

Naij