Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, yesterday, has disclosed that the transfer of Boko Haram prisoners to Ekwulobia prisons in Anambra State, was concluded in 2012 under former President Goodluck Jonathan administration.
Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano who spoke through his Senior Special adviser on Political Matters, Mr. Chinedu Obidigwe, yesterday, has revealed that the controversial transfer of Boko Haram prisoners to Ekwulobia prisons in Aguata LGA of Anambra State, was concluded in 2012 under former President Goodluck Jonathan's administration.
He said the decision was taken during a seminar organized for officers and men of the Nigeria Prison Service, in which Ekwulobia and Kuje prisons were chosen as prisons for the Boko Haram inmates.
However, Obidigwe said the transfer of Boko Haram suspects would have been effected immediately but for the 2015 general elections on ground that it would affect the second term ambition of Jonathan in the South East geo-political zone.
"In as much as the state government would not want to join issues with such section of the public, it is important to note that the policy of transferring Boko Haram inmates to Anambra State had been made since 2012 under the regimes of President Goodluck Jonathan and Mr. Peter Obi, but for the 2015 general elections which the then President was contesting for a second term.
"Since the transfer of the 47 inmates, panic had gripped the people of Ekwulobia as residents in the area were apprehensive of an imminent attack by members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect," he said.
However, former Governor Peter Obi, in a swift reaction, expressed shock about Governor Willie Obiano’s claims, describing it as a blatant lie.
Reacting to the claim that former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Governor Peter Obi were behind the relocation of Boko Haram terrorists to Anambra State, the media aide to Peter Obi, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, said he was shocked that Governor Obiano would personally sign such a release laying claims to what appeared nauseating and childish.
“The governor is clearly looking for an alibi for an action that was against the people. He should look elsewhere and not in the direction of Mr. Peter Obi, who, since he left office, had opted to stay away from Awka and not to distract the present government in any way.”