Goodluck Jonathan Fires Back; Replies President Buhari

Former president, Goodluck Jonathan, has hit back at President Muhammadu Buhari over comments made by the incumbent on the BBC Hausa service.

Jonathan said Buhari, during the interview, lambasted his administration, stating that his (Jonathan’s) efforts were criminal in nature and treasonable.

Reacting to the statement credited to President Buhari, Jonathan saidthrough his former minister of national planning, Dr Abubakar Suleiman, in a text message to Punch that “No responsible government would strategise to loose a war. President Jonathan sworn to defend Nigeria sovereignty and territorial integrity and he did everything possible to achieve that height in the fight against the insurgents.

“It is unfair for Mr President to perceive such efforts by his predecessor as criminal and treasonable.

“The President should, in an attempt to build this country, make such pronouncements that would further unite us as a people than that those that would divide us. Posterity will judge everybody.”

Meanwhile, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, a former minister of state for defence, is said to be on the run following reports that EFCC may extend its searchlight on his role in the Ekiti and Osun elections.