Corrupt politicians asking for Jonathan’s return – APC chieftain

Former Interim Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Bayelsa State, Chief Richard Kpodo, Monday, said that corrupt politicians were behind the call for former President Goodluck Jonathan to return for his second term in 2019.

Kpodo slammed politicians clamouring for the second coming of Jonathan describing them as ignorant and paid sycophants.

He said such persons were only on a mission to further institutionalise corruption and bad governance following their inability to have their way in President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

Kpodo, who is a leader of the APC, also cleared Buhari of any blame in the nation’s current economic woes.

He expressed confidence that the ongoing war against corruption and economic policies of the present administration would return Nigeria to the part of prosperity.

Kpodoh, a former Security Adviser in the state, contended that despite a drastic fall in oil prices, the Buhari’s administration had made steady progress returning stolen funds belonging to states to assist in paying salaries of workers.

He further said the current administration embarked on developmental projects, noting that a Buhari’s giant strides were strange to Jonathan’s government.

Kpodo said: “Jonathan’s administration was corrupt and he has enjoyed cover up from political jobbers.The Obasanjo’s administration earned N17trn from crude oil sales within eight years and left behind $45bn external reserves and $3.348bn external debt.

“Late President Umaru Y’Adua grew the reserves to $64bn within just one year and the administration was able to finance 15 months of imports despite the 2008/2009 world economic meltdown.

“Hence, Nigeria survived the meltdown because of the political will of Yar’Adua’s administration to save. Despite the tough economic reality at that time, Yar’Adua left $47.7bn in reserves and an external debt of $3.94bn. Meanwhile, the administration earned only N9trn from crude oil sales within that short period.

“The Goodluck Jonathan administration witnessed an oil boom when Brent crude sold for over $100 per barrel, with the regime earning N51trn within a period of five years. But because of corruption, the administration did not only squander the oil revenue but even depleted the reserves.

“The same Brent crude sold for as low as $35 per barrel at a point shortly after Buhari took over power and had only managed to climb to about $48 just recently.That was how he left Bayelsa indebted before handing the state over to Chief Timipre Sylva.”

Kpodo also described the poor handling of the 13 per cent derivation by the Niger Delta governors as criminal.

Kpodo added: “The people should allow the present administration to investigate arrest and recover monies stolen from the 13 per cent derivation funds. Some of the governors immediately they collect the money, they head for outside the country”.