his predecessor, Olusegun Obasanjo, accusing him of attempting to
return to power through the backdoor by foisting an Interim National
Government on Nigeria, in the hope he will be made head of the
administration.
Mr. Jonathan's remarks followed comments by the former president on
Saturday that President Jonathan was plotting to destabilise Nigeria
as it becomes apparent he will lose upcoming elections.
Read the State House press release below:
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 Presi
