Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, Thursday, said security agencies did not need any goading from the President to go after those pasting posters of President Goodluck Jonathan for 2015 elections, if the security agencies felt the activities of those people were capable of compromising public peace in the country.
The pasting of posters of the President in some strategic places in Abuja, declaring the interest of President Jonathan in the 2015 election, has generated widespread criticism from opposition parties in the country, some of whom accused the President of flying a kite through anonymous sources.
Though the presidential spokesman, Abati, had denied any involvement of the President, the criticisms have remained unrelenting.
However, speaking with State House correspondents yesterday, Dr. Abati said: “The President of Nigeria has an office that is so important that he cannot behave in a cowardly manner. This is a man who is honest and have reputation of being honest.
“Those who are bent on distracting this government have brought out
the posters. I repeat that President Jonathan knows nothing about it.”
“They don’t even need to wait for presidential directive. It is part of their normal duty to find out what is happening in the environment particularly if what has happened is a matter of public interest.
“The President does not need to give any order. People whose job is it to ensure that nothing goes wrong within the Nigerian state will do their job.
“They will make their own assessment; they will do their own investigations. If they feel that there is any threat whatsoever to public peace, to rule of law and order, they will make sure that that is not allowed.
“President Jonathan has not launched any campaign for re-election in 2015. He has not asked anybody to go and paste posters around Abuja. Whoever those people are, they are acting on their own. They are not President Jonathan’s agent. They are on to their own mischief.
‘Jonathan’s focus’ “The President has been consistent with the issue of 2015. In the last presidential media chat, he said he was not talking about 2015 at this moment.
“He had been given assignment by the Nigerian people which is to see through the transformation agenda, to ensure the different changes he has promised in life and society. That is what he remains committed to.”
He said what was playing out was an indication that “the contestation for power in Nigeria is quite a complex one and people will go to any length to push their own agenda.
“This is not coming from the President. When the President takes a position in terms of his own personal involvement or otherwise with regards to the 2015 elections, you can be sure he will come out to Nigerians and say this is where he stands on this matter the same way he did on previous occasions.
“But the President is not going to adopt this kind of tactics that you see on display.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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I'm beginning to think that the collective integrity of Nigerias has been put to questioning judging by this primary school poem by the Spoke man. I don't think there is anywhere in the Nigeria constitution that states that it's an offense to paste posters. It's the reponsibility of Mr President to order the security agents to investigate, arrest and prosecute the people behind this if he is truly not the autor of this script or a playwriter behind the screne.
ReplyDeletelets call a spade a spade. GEJ government is still the best ever till date in Nigeria. The strong opposition of his government by elected leaders, non leaders, and those who indeed hates any other person like GEJ to be in the No. 1 seat is beyond estimation. Gej in 2015, would have taken Nigerians to a greater hight amidst other nations. God is able to USE GEJ to put smiles in Nigerians faces, if only we believe Luke 1 verse 37 and psalm 102 vs 13. Rather than oppose this piece of writeup, why not pause and wait till 2015. Achievement has timing. Long live Nigerians! Thanks for ur patience.
ReplyDeleteHow can the President order arrest of people pasting his posters? As you have enemies so also you have Fans. When is like your enemy is take upper hands to run you down, your Fans may as well cook their own method to market their Hero though most times kiddish. I don't support the idea now, it's rather distractive, but one cannot be arrested for expressing his or her feelings for his Leader. Politics is Politics anytime, anywhere and anyhow, once it's within your lawful rights.
ReplyDeleteLet's be objective here. The no.1 duty of the president is provision of security. He must stand firm and clearly against any act capable of inciting the public. Being passive suggests a lot. God bless and help Nigeria.
ReplyDelete