The
presidency has now responded to the series of attacks against it by
former president Olusegun Obasanjo who is currently on a book tour.
Reuben Abati, the president’s spokesman, released a statement today to Obasanjo’s comments.
Read below:
We find the false claims and allegations reportedly made against
President Goodluck Jonathan by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on maliciously
impugn the integrity of a sitting President of his country for the
primary purpose of self-promotion.
It is obvious from Chief Obasanjo’s serial vituperations against
President Jonathan who is doing his best to positively transform Nigeria
for the benefit of all of its people that he has willfully chosen to
close his eyes to the present administration’s good works and
intentions. For reasons best known to him, Chief Obasanjo has set his
mind on regime change by fair or foul means.
Otherwise, it would be completely senseless, irrational and out of
place for Chief Obasanjo, who still claims to belong to the same party
as the President, to accuse President Jonathan of plotting to win the
rescheduled presidential elections by “hook or crook” and planning to
plunge the nation into crisis if he loses the election.
For the record, President Jonathan has no such intention and will
continue to give the greatest possible support to the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant federal agencies
to ensure that the rescheduled elections are successfully conducted.
Indeed, it is not President Jonathan who remains faithful to his oath
of office who is trying to plunge Nigeria into crisis, but Chief
Obasanjo who is scheming to plunge the country into chaos in pursuit of a
selfish and highly egocentric agenda.
Chief Obasanjo’s plot with others within and outside the country to
thwart the general elections and foist an unconstitutional Interim
National Government, which he hopes to head on the nation is well known
to us, but by the Grace of God Almighty, his odious plan to return to
power through the back door will fail woefully.
We know very well that it is in pursuit of this nefarious plot that
the former President continues to sow the seeds of discord and crises in
the polity by purporting to remain in the ruling party while openly
consorting with the opposition, endorsing its candidates and predicting
victory for opposition candidates in a manner most unbecoming of a
supposed elder statesman.
Thankfully, the vast majority of Nigerians who are patriotic and right-thinking cannot be fooled by Chief Obasanjo’s antics.
We urge them to be assured that President Jonathan’s commitment to
democracy in all its ramifications remains constant and that he will
never be party to the use of any unlawful means to remain in office or
gain political advantage over his opponents.
The President stands by his commitment, which he reaffirmed on
national television last Wednesday that on his watch, all elections in
Nigeria, will be free, fair and credible, and that all certified
election results will be respected.
As President Jonathan has also assured the nation, the rescheduling
of the general elections was in the best interest of the nation and was
never driven by any ulterior motive on the part of government as Chief
Obasanjo and others have alleged.
President Jonathan will continue to put his best efforts into giving
Nigeria quality leadership and will not be distracted from his purpose
by unwarranted and needless criticism by persons who ought to know
better.
The President also continues to trust in the good judgment of
Nigerians and to believe that in appreciation of his sincere efforts to
move the country forward over the past four years, they will re-elect
him for a second term on March 28, 2015 with a mandate to pursue his
agenda for national transformation to a successful conclusion.
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