Jonathan’s Remains For Burial Today

Soji Ajibola, Yenagoa - 26.01.2006

Sympathisers on Friday waited anxiously to receive the corpse of the late father of Vice-President Good-luck Jonathan, Pa Lawrence Jonathan which arrived his country home, Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, two hours behind schedule.

This is just as the security was beefed up not only at the venue but the entire state to prevent any attack by militant groups.

Officers and men of the Nigeria Army, Nigeria Air force, Nigeria Navy, Nigeria Police and the native security outfit were engaged.

No fewer than four Armoured Personnel Carriers were strategically located while gun boats were busying patrolling the Ogbia creeks. 

The corpse of Pa Jonathan, which was conveyed by the Nigeria Air Force helicopter with registration number NAF 533, touched the ground at exactly 4:35pm and was received by Jonathan.

Twenty-one gun shots were fired for this purpose. The corpse of Pa Jonathan was carried in a motorcade, accompanied by the Otuoke council of chiefs, to the premises of the paramount ruler of Otuoke, where it was lying in state as at press time.

As at the time of filing this report, work was still going on, on the mausoleum where the remains would be buried today.

Also, Julius Berger Construction Company was still working on the road that led to the country home of the vice-president.

Some notable dignitaries had arrived the venue as at press time on Friday. They included the former President of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim; the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ada Okwudusi; the former Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Muazu; the former Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Barnabas Gemade; the Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva; his Deputy, Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi; and the Minister of Special Duties, Elder Godsday Orubebe.

In another development, there was a ghastly motor accident involving a Government House official vehicle, Volkswagen Passat with registration number BYGH 302, and a Volkswagen Gulf salon car with registration number BY 363 FST along the Sani Abacha Expressway, Yenagoa in Yenagoa Local Government Area.

Saturday Tribune reliably gathered that Government House offi-cial car was heading towards Yenagoa from the venue of the wake keep of Jonathan when the accident occurred.

The casualties could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report.