President Goodluck Jonathan Warns His Ministers of Persecution Under Buhari's Reign

Nigeria's outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that his ministers will be "persecuted" once his successor Muhammadu Buhari takes office.

President Jonathan's comments seem to suggest that he fears corruption investigations will be launched against his allies.

Jonathan who became the first Nigerian leader to give up office, after losing elections to Gen Buhari in March said some of his friends had "abandoned" him after his defeat.

Gen Buhari, a former military ruler, is due to be inaugurated on 29 May.

President Jonathan was widely praised for accepting defeat rather than plunging Nigeria into a crisis by challenging the election result.

But he said some of his allies were not impressed.

"If you take certain decisions, it might be good for the generality of the people but it might affect some people differently," he said at a church service held on Sunday to thank him for his leadership.

"So, for ministers and aides who served with me, I sympathise with them. They will be persecuted. And they must be ready for that persecution," President Jonathan added.