Buhari, Jonathan meet over renewed agitation in Niger Delta

President Muhammadu Buhari and former President Goodluck Jonathan, Thursday night met behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa Abuja to discuss issues relating to the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta.

A Presidency source who confirmed the meeting said it held at the official residence of the President at about 9pm Thursday.

The meeting which held barely 24 hours after the return of the former President to the country was gathered to have centred on issues relating to the renewed agitation in the oil-rich Niger Delta region of the country, by a group called the Niger Delta Avengers.

“Indeed, the two leaders met. The meeting was a private one. I believe it has to do with the militants’ attacks in the Niger Delta. The former President must have offered useful suggestions and assistance on the way out,” the Presidency source said.

Jonathan had on Wednesday returned to the country after a month’s trip to the United Kingdom and Côte d’Ivoire. He had dismissed reports that he had gone on exile for fear of being arrested by President Buhari.

The Ijaw Youth Council t the end of a one-day stakeholders’ conference to mark the end of the month-long activities in honour of Major Jasper Adaka Boro with the theme: ‘The Ideals of Isaac Boro and the Renewed Militancy in the Niger Delta: The Way Forward’ said one of the reasons for the renewed agitation may have been the calls for the arrest of the former president.

The group had vowed to resist any attempt to single out former President Jonathan for arrest and humiliation over allegations of corruption in the government’s anti-corruption fight and had urged President Buhari to accord Jonathan the same respect accorded other former presidents.

The former President arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport before heading to his country home in Otuoke, Bayelsa State and proceeded back to Abuja on Thursday to meet with the President.

Both Presidential spokesmen, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu, could not be reached on the telephone for comments on the meeting as at the time of filing this report.

Elizabeth Archibong