Nigerian Security Agencies Probe Asari-Dokubo's Statements

Niger Delta activist Mujahid Asari-Dokubo has warned of regional conflict if efforts underway to impeach Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan are carried out. Asari-Dokubo has drawn the ire of government for such statements., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Security agencies probe Asari-Dokubo’s threat

By Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation
The Nigerian Nation

Security agencies have launched a probe into a statement credited to Niger Delta activist, Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, that Nigeria will disintegrate should the House of Representatives go ahead with the threat to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan.

There were indications last night that Asari-Dokubo, founder of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF), might have been invited for an interaction by security agents.

The probe, sources said ,was at the instance of the presidency which was said to be uncomfortable with such divisive propaganda.

“The presidency has asked security agencies to investigate circumstances behind such comments which are capable of deepening North-South divide in the country,” one source said.

“These agencies have the mandate to find out whether Asari-Dokubo was working alone or in concert with others because the nation cannot afford to be plunged into another civil war.

“The government was surprised that at a time it is trying to reunite the country, Asari-Dokubo could be engaging in war alarm.”

Responding to a question, the source said: “We did not see the comments as favouring the government. That is why the presidency asked security agencies to look into it.

“By not taking action, it could be erroneously assumed that the government was in support of such a divisive tendency.

“The President is a nationalist, he will not allow anyone under whatever guise to breach national security and fan the ember of secession.”

Another source said: “I think Asari-Dokubo might have been invited by security agencies, but I do not have the details.

“But there were strong signals that a letter of invitation for an interaction was sent to him.”

None of the security agencies was willing to comment last night on the purported invitation.

All the current lines of Asari-Dokubo were also off last night.

Asari-Dokubo had asked the House of Representatives to shelve the impeachment threat against the President failing which the people of Niger Delta would “resist any such action by whatever means.”

He said:”Nobody should dare us by trying to impeach Jonathan. If they do, there will be trouble.

“All that we are saying is that they should allow the President Goodluck Jonathan to complete his eight-year tenure. For over 50 years, they held the position that Jonathan is holding. They used our resources to oil their political machinery.”