Presidency accuses OBJ of plotting political crisis in order
to head an interim government.
Following his recent
public remarks about the GEJ-led government, the Presidency has accused former
President Olusegun Obasanjo of plotting a political crisis in Nigeria with the
intention of forming an interim government which he hopes to head. In a statement
released this night by Presidential media aide, Reuben Abati, the presidency
accused the former president of sowing seeds of discords among Nigerians so
that he could come back into power through the back door.
We find the false
claims and allegations reportedly made against President Goodluck Jonathan by
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday in Abeokuta very odious and
repugnant.
As we have had cause
to say before, it is most regrettable indeed that a man like Chief Obasanjo,
who should know better, chooses to repeatedly, wantonly, and 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.
Reuben Abati Special
Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity)
