23 groups protest over EFCC’s alleged harassment of Ex-First Lady

23 associations under the aegis of the Coalition of Concerned Nigeria Political Pressure Groups, have protested the alleged harassment of former First Lady, Patience Jonathan.

The groups also described the Dame Jonathan’s probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as politically motivated.

They also called on President Buhari to order the anti-graft agency to stop persecuting the former first lady.

According to Punch, the spokesman of the groups, Ali Abatcha said "Statistics are there that nobody persecuted Dr. Mrs Victoria Azikiwe, Hajiya Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Mrs. Aguiyi Ironsi, Mrs Victoria Yakubu Gowon, Mrs Murtala Mohammed, Mrs. Olusegun Obasanjo, Hajia Shehu Shagari, Hajiya Muhammadu Buhari of Blessed Memory, Mrs. Maryam Babangida of Blessed memory, Mrs. Ernest Shonekan, Mrs. Mariam Abacha, Hon. Justice Mrs. Fati Abubakar, Late Mrs. Stella Obasanjo and Hajiya Turai Yar’Adua.

“None of these First Ladies or their husbands were ever investigated, harassed, embarrassed, and persecuted by their husbands’ successor governments in the unfortunate manner that we are witnessing today by the EFCC under the current administration.

“It is against this background that we, as concerned Nigerians, call on President Buhari to quickly intervene and halt this unnecessary persecution of Jonathan through his wife by the EFCC.

“Mr. President should quickly direct the immediate unblocking and de-freezing of all personal accounts of Mrs. Jonathan from ‘No withdrawal’ status they have been placed by EFCC.”

The groups include: Coalition of Democracy, Centre for Policy Advocacy, Civil Society Group for Leadership, Northern Socio-cultural Initiative, Civil Society for Good Government, Northern Patriotic Forum, Women Arise Organisation, Association for Unity and Progress, Better Foundation for Humanity, National Committee of Patriots, Movement for National Unity and Zikaratu NGO for Better Nigeria.

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South East Peoples Assembly, South East Development Initiative, South-East South-South Coalition, Nigeria Renaissance Group, New Nigeria Initiative, Odua Youths Convention, South West Forum for Change, Progressive Market Women of Nigeria, Patriots for Democracy and Nigeria Without Borders Organisation.

Patience Jonathan has also urged the House of Representatives to stop the EFCC from harassing her.