We have noted with regret the mischievous effort by sections of
the mass media to portray President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as an
interested party and the main loser in yesterday’s election of the
Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).
Contrary to the impression of Presidential partisanship and
interference in the affairs of the Governors Forum erroneously conveyed
by some headlines in the media today, President Jonathan who is
currently leading Nigeria’s delegation to the African Union Summit in
Addis Ababa had no preferred candidate in the NGF elections and could
therefore not have been “floored” by any other candidate as some
newspapers sensationally reported.
President Jonathan has the greatest possible respect for the
Nigerian Governors Forum as an independent body of mature, responsible,
and knowledgeable elected political leaders who have a critical role to
play in strengthening democratic governance in the country, and who are
quite capable of running their own affairs without being tele-guided, as
some media reports misleadingly implied.
The President has always shown a willingness to work
harmoniously with any leadership freely and independently chosen by the
Governors Forum for the collective progress and development of all
sections of the country and will continue to do so.
He has not in the present instance or ever before, interfered
in elections to leadership positions in the Governors Forum. Reports in
the media which convey that impression are totally off the mark and the
handiwork of mischievous individuals and groups with the intention of
sowing the seeds of discord and disunity in the polity.
President Jonathan trusts that as true democrats and respected
national political leaders, members of the Governors Forum will quickly
resolve the issues and differences amongst them which emerged yesterday
and continue to contribute effectively to national development as a
strong, and progressive body.
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
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