Revealed: Why Buhari’s Trip To Ogoni Land Was Aborted
L-R: Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina Mohammed; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers; ariving at the Launch of the Clean-Up of Ogoniland And Other Oil-Spill Affected Communities In The Niger Delta at Bodo Town, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers on Thursday (2/6/16)[/caption]
There are emerging reports on why President Muhammadu Buhari’s planned trip to Ogoni land in Rivers State was aborted at the eleventh hour.
Buhari was scheduled to visit the state in order to flag off the Ogoni land clean-up exercise, as recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report.
READ HERE: Buhari Chickens Out, Cancels Trip To Ogoni Land
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The President was billed to personally preside over the flag off on Thursday but sent his Vice, Yemi Osinbajo, to represent him.
According to reports, the cancellation was due to power play by the Agencies in charge of the nation’s security architecture.
Sources reveal that despite assurances by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Military High Command, the Department of State Services, DSS (Nigeria’s Secret Police) allegedly advised the President against undertaking the trip.
Nigerians were taken unawares at the sudden decision of the president as even the presidential advanced team comprising protocol, security, medical and the media had landed in Port Harcourt and Ogoniland, waiting to receive him.
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Speaking only on the condition of anonymity, a top security source said, “There was no reason for the DSS not to have allowed President Buhari undertake the trip”
According to the source, there was no apparent security threat to the president’s life despite statement credited to the new Niger Delta militant group, the Avengers threatening the life of the President.
“It is most unfortunate that a well planned trip that would have endeared the president to the South-South people was aborted at the last moment.
“This historic trip would have remained indelible in the minds of the people. The People of Ogoniland as well as the entire Niger Delta people were waiting anxiously to receive the president only to be told that he would be represented by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
“The security operatives that advised him against coming to the Niger Delta just destroyed the goodwill Mr. President would have enjoyed among the people. It is most unfortunate.
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“The advice was also designed to put the National Security Adviser (NSA) to the president in bad light, as one who doesn’t know what he is doing. They have been trying to undermine his office ever since but had repeatedly failed.
“This idea of ascribing health reasons to Mr. President’s inability to travel is not healthy for the government.
“It portrays the President as a sick President and that is not the case with President Buhari,” the source added.
