Read the State House press release below..
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is shocked, surprised and highly
embarrassed by the controversy that has erupted over whether or not he
had a telephone conversation with His Majesty, King Mohammed VI of
Morocco.
The regrettable furore that has developed over the matter is due
entirely to misinformation as President Jonathan has neither spoken with
King Mohammed or told anybody that he had a telephone conversation with
the Moroccan Monarch.
It is true that President Jonathan has been speaking with some African
leaders to seek their support for Nigeria’s candidate for the position
of President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
In continuation of his efforts in support of the candidacy of the
Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina for headship of the AfDB,
President Jonathan indicated that he would like to speak with the King
of Morocco, the President of Algeria and the President of Egypt.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was consequently directed to make
necessary contacts with the embassies of the three countries and arrange
for President Jonathan to speak with their leaders.
Since that directive was given, President Jonathan has spoken with the
Prime Minister of Algeria and subsequently sent Vice President Namadi
Sambo to Algiers as Special Envoy to follow-up on his discussions with
the Algerian Prime Minister on support for Nigeria’s candidate in the
coming elections for the AfDB Presidency.
The President has, however, not yet spoken with King Mohammed VI and
President Al-Sisi of Egypt as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must know.
President Jonathan has therefore ordered the Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali to urgently undertake a full
investigation of the claim which emanated from the Ministry that the
President spoke with King Mohammed VI.
The investigation is to identify all those who were responsible for the
unacceptable act of official misinformation which has resulted in an
unnecessary diplomatic row with another country and national
embarrassment.
It is also expected to unveil the motives of the culprits.
President Jonathan has also ordered that prompt and commensurate
disciplinary action be taken against the culpable person or persons.
While awaiting the outcome of the investigations, President Jonathan
urges Nigerians to disregard the vituperations of opposition elements,
who have, true to type, latched on to the regrettable faux pas as a
fresh opportunity to unpatriotically denigrate the government of their
country and advance their irresponsible quest for victory at any price
in the coming elections.
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
March 13, 2015
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