Former President Goodluck Jonathan had said the right to freedom of speech was strictly observed during his administration.

Jonathan said this on Saturday when he spoke at a dinner he attended in the United States.

The former President said his government followed a democratic process, while stating that no single Nigerian was sent to prison because of anything they wrote or said about him.

“Under my watch not a single Nigerian was sent to prison because of anything they wrote or said about me or the administration that I headed,” Jonathan said.

“Nigeria had neither political prisoners nor political exile under my administration.”

Jonathan also said all his aides were not from a certain part of the country but from diversed ethnic group.

“Most of my principal aides in government hailed from different ethnic nationalities,” Mr. Jonathan said. “We never placed ethno-religious interests above merits or individual values when making decisions.

“Nigeria is for all Nigerians. We must resist the push of ego that may make us want to pursue a regional or narrow agenda.”

Jonathan’s speech comes days after he stated that former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki could not have stolen $2.2bn.

There have also been reports of journalists, bloggers and other Nigerians who were arrested and detained for speaking against the Federal and some state governments.

Azeez