The Presidency has denied allegation by demonstrators in Bayelsa State on Thursday that allowances due to former President Goodluck Jonathan, had been stopped and his bank accounts frozen.
The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement yesterday, described the protesters’ claims as “patently untrue”.
According to the Presidency, checks from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) confirmed that Jonathan’s allowances and that of other past leaders were paid up to the second quarter.
The Presidency said the past leaders were yet to be paid their third quarter allowances but will get their due once the OSGF gets its remittances.
It also said the demonstrations were premeditated attempt to portray President Muhammadu Buhari as a vindictive leader.
The statement read, “We have confirmed with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) that the former President and the other past leaders were paid their allowances up to the second quarter.
“The past leaders have not been paid third quarter allowances but will get their dues when remittances are received by the SGF from the Ministry of Finance.
“Also, the story of account closure is false. It is not known to the investigation agencies.
“The National Security Adviser to the President is not aware of this bank account closure; the DG SSS is unaware of it, the EFCC is unaware and the IG of Police is not in the know.
“With all of these agencies not being involved, how then could a thing like that happen? In a dream perhaps!
“To put it starkly, we believe there is a clear motive for the demonstration that is different from that which was being canvassed.
“This is a premeditated attempt to blame President Muhammadu Buhari for something he knows nothing about.
“These claims are false and poorly sourced to present a picture of vendetta; and they should be disregarded by well-meaning members of the public.
“President Buhari remains committed to the ideals of justice and fairness to all irrespective of creed, religion and political leanings. His administration will not engage in vendetta”.
