Former President Goodluck Jonathan has disputed a national daily’s
Monday report that he had opted to go on exile in Cote d’Ivoire,
confirming, however, that he was indeed in the West African country, but
was not in exile.
Speaking to the newspaper on the phone on
Monday, the former president confirmed that he had been out of the
country for over a month, revealing that he travelled to some cities in
the United States of America, then departed the country for London
before arriving Cote d’Ivoire via Paris.
When reminded that the
newspaper had tried to reach him several times last week to verify
allegations that he was in exile, he said: “So what… I am not in exile. I
am here resting.”
Jonathan said: “Yes I am in Cote d’Ivoire, I
have been here for a week resting and this is my second trip to the
country since I stepped down as president.”
He
maintained however that he was not in exile because he had no reason to
leave Nigeria as he had done his best for his country as president.
He
said: “I have made sacrifices for Nigeria. I am praised all over Africa
for averting bloodshed and for the peaceful transition from one
government to another, but it seems Nigeria does not appreciate my
efforts.
“I have done my best for this country and if I have to
die for it, I will do so. However, I am taking it easy here (Cote
d’Ivoire) and when I am ready, I will come back.”
The newspaper
had reported that Jonathan had gone into exile following the resolve by
the Federal Government to arrest him on allegations of corruption.
The
perception that the government was going to reel him in was linked to
the heightened attacks on oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta.
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