The Presidency has said it is not financing different groups that are currently canvassing for the realization of the second term ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan.
It, however, failed to say why it was unable to stop the activities of the different groups who have opened offices across the country and are already placing adverts in electronic and print media in the country.
The campaigns, which are also placed on billboards on major highways and streets especially in Abuja, are against the nation’s electoral law which stipulates that such activities can only be done 90 days to the conduct of an election.
Special Adviser to the President Jonathan on Political Matters, Prof. Rufai Alkali, who denied the insinuations in some quarters that the Presidency was financing the activities of various associations and groups that came out to support the President in an interview with journalists in Abuja on Monday, said the President remains a law-abiding leader.
Alkali said there were several thousands of groups across the country that he claimed were supporting the “transformation agenda of the Goodluck Jonathan administration,” but added that they were being privately funded by their sponsors.
He said most the identified support groups voluntarily came under one umbrella, the Goodluck Support Group for proper coordination and administrative convenience since they all share common goal of mobilizing support for the laudable achievements of the federal government.
Alkali is the national coordinator of the GSG.
The former national publicity secretary of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party said, “I want to reiterate that these groups are completely independent and self-financing and the Presidency does not in any way foot the bills for the activities of these groups.
“They are voluntary non-governmental organizations and every Nigerian is aware that these NGOs source their funds independent of government.”
He further declared that members of these groups are Nigerians who he said are appreciative of the achievements of President Jonathan and have been exercising their fundamental right of freedom of association and free speech.
Alkali reiterated that President Goodluck Jonathan is a law abiding citizen and cannot jump the gun to start any form of campaign since the Independent National Electoral Commission has not given the political parties green light to commence campaign.
According to him, “Mr. President has not even declared yet and campaigns cannot commence unless there is a formal declaration of intent to contest the 2015 presidential election.
“Apart from being a law abiding citizen President Jonathan is also a true and loyal member of the Peoples Democratic Party and the party has not yet brought out guidelines for the conduct of its primaries and convention.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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