Jonathan denies going on exile

From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja

FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan has denied go­ing on exile just as he also denied returning to Nigeria from Cote d’Ivoire last Wednesday, a country.

The former president emphatically denied going on exile in his recent trip outside the country.

However, dismissing reports of going on exile as false, insensitive and tendentious, the former president said he returned from the United Kingdom and not Cote d’Ivoire as erroneously published.

Last weekend, before he travelled out of the country, again, Jonathan reportedly met with President Muham­madu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Reports speculated he discussed developments in the Niger Delta with his successor. A claim that was not cor­roborated by the president’s media team.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan said he has no intention of turning his back on Nigeria, a homeland, he has served diligently as president, to the best of his abilities.

“We maintain, as Jonathan has himself stated, that he has no intention of turning his back on Nigeria; a home­landhe served diligently as president to the best of his abilities.

“It is instructive to note that while the publication continues to insist that Jonathan did not come to Nigeria from Cote d’Ivoire.

“The former president actually returned to the coun­try, last Wednesday evening, from London, after visiting many countries, including the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire on a six-week long international engagements and speaking tour.

“As a former president, Dr. Jonathan should be obliged the freedom to visit President Muhammadu Buhari any­time he likes, to brief him on his international engage­ments and other commitments.