SECURITY AGENTS TO PAY OBASANJO A VISIT OVER ALLEGATIONS

Barely 24 hours after President Goodluck Jonathan's reply to an
earlier letter written to him by former president, Olusegun Obasanjo,
the nation's security agencies have concluded arrangements to
"interview" the former leader, for him to "explain details" of some of
the allegations he made in the letter.
LEADERSHIP gathered that but for the absence of the former leader from
the country, an inter-departmental team of the nation's security
apparatus was on the verge of visiting Obasanjo in Abeokuta or at his
farm in Otta, Ogun State on the mission, which a source called
"routine".
It was also gathered that even though President Jonathan had in his
response to the former president's letter given indications that
relevant security agencies would probe some of the allegations in the
December 2, 2013 letter sent to him, the move to investigate had
indeed been concluded before the president's letter that was released
to the press Sunday night.
According to the source, the inter-departmental security team has in
it representatives of the Department of State Service (DSS), National
Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Police.
Regardless of the arrangement, the source said it was not meant to be
an invitation, as such could be misinterpreted as government's moving
against those with dissenting voices.
"The best the security agencies can do under this circumstance is to
interview the former president for us to be given the opportunity to
know from him what the nation's security community did not know before
now.
"You ought to know that security apparatus does not work like
politicians; anywhere and whenever politicians have problems, security
agencies tend to steer clear, because they know how they settle their
differences.
"But in this case, certain issues have been unravelled in form of
allegations in the said letter, which in the thinking of those in the
best position, requires that further information be sought from the
former president.
"But the only thing is that he has to be given first charge respect as
a former president of the country; it is either the team visits him in
Abeokuta or in his Otta farm or anywhere he deems necessary, in order
for him to explain details to the team," he said.
He further said, "This is very important and needs not to be
politicised, because some of the issues border on the nation's
security and security of individuals who are players in the polity."
Obasanjo, had in his letter sent to President Jonathan, alleged that
he was training a killer squad to watch over 1,000 perceived political
opponents.
Part of the letter had read: "Allegation of keeping over 1000 people
on political watch list rather than criminal or security watch list
and training snipers and other armed personnel secretly and
clandestinely acquiring weapons to match for political purposes like
Abacha and training them where Abacha trained his own killers, if it
is true, it cannot augur well for the initiator, the government and
the people of Nigeria.
"Here again, there is the lesson of history to learn from for anybody
who cares to learn from history. Mr. President would always remember
that he was elected to maintain security for all Nigerians and protect
them.
"And no one should prepare to kill or maim Nigerians for personal or
political ambition or interest of anyone.
The Yoruba adage says, 'The man with whose head coconut is broken may
not live to savour the taste of the succulent fruit.' Those who advise
you to go hard on those who oppose you are your worst enemies.
Democratic politics admits and is permissive of supporters and
opponents. When the consequences come, those who have wrongly advised
you will not be there to help carry the can. Egypt must teach some
lesson."
When contacted the special adviser to the president on political
matters, Ahmed Gulak said, "Whether or not the security agencies have
set up a team to either have audience with the former president or not
remains within the purview of the security agencies.
Only the office of the NSA or any other relevant security official can
answer that question because it is not a political matter but a
security one.
"Besides, you have read the president's reply; he made it clear that
the security agencies will probe; so take it like that."
SSS keeps mum
When LEADERSHIP contacted the spokesperson of the SSS, Marilyn Ogar,
through calls and text messages, there was no reply as at press time.
The text message reads: "Good evening Ma, kindly confirm the
information that the SSS is to quiz former President Olusegun Obasanjo
in connection with his letter to President Jonathan. We need the
confirmation for a balanced report. Prompt reply will be appreciated,
Ma. Thank you."