Malabu oil scandal: We’ll resist any attempt to summon Goodluck Jonathan – Niger Delta group

A group in the Niger Delta, the Niger Delta Advancement Front, NAF, has declared any attempt by the House of Representatives to compel the immediate past President, Goodluck Jonathan to appear before it over the controversial Malabu oil deal.

Reports making the rounds suggest that Jonathan allegedly received kickbacks worth billions of dollars from the sales of the controversial OPL 245 oil field which was bought by Italian oil giant, ENI and Shell in 2011, this the former President has since denied.

Following his alleged involvement in the oil scandal, reports also had it that the Lower Legislative Chamber may summon Jonathan over the issue.

However, the group’s National President, Ikiomasi Wakama, in a statement, wondered why the lawmakers singled out Jonathan who they claimed had sacrificed so much for the unity of Nigeria.

He said the summons was a witch-hunt that must not be accomplished.

According to him, “As much as we believe in the unity of Nigeria, we must not also be the only ones to be paying the price because we can assure the National Assembly that we will resist every attempt to make Goodluck Jonathan appear before them.

“It has come to our notice that the Nigerian House of Representatives, in a show of naked overzealousness and utter disrespect, is proposing to summon the immediate past President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan over his perceived role in the Malabu Oil deal involving the controversial OPL 245 oil field which was bought by Italian oil giant ENI and Shell in 2011.

“We condemn in all fullness, the continued vilification of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the various attempts at undermining a good man who did his best for the country in service and strengthening our democracy and unity as a nation.”