Election Postponement: Jonathan, Obasanjo Trade Words

Election Postponement: Jonathan, Obasanjo Trade Words

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, on Saturday declared that
the recent postponement of the country's general elections was a grand plan
by President Goodluck Jonathan to have six weeks more to attempt to sway
Nigerians to himself ahead of the elections in which he is participating as
the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The elections were shifted by the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) from 14th and 28th February to 28th March for the Presidential and
National Assembly elections and April 11 for the governorship and House of
Assembly elections.
Obasanjo, a member of the PDP but in a long-drawn battle with President
Jonathan, said in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital that Jonathan cannot
absolve himself of the postponement of the elections as it was a grand plot
aimed at benefiting him and making him win the election at all cost.
He said Jonathan's plot was either win the election or create chaos and
confusion in the country that could lead to truncating the country's
democracy.
Obasanjo, who had weeks ago endorsed the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun,
who is seeking re-election under the All Progressives Congress (APC), spoke
on the state of the nation as well as the shift in the date of the election.
While pleading with politicians across the country to maintain peace during
this period, Obasanjo also warned President Jonathan against any plan to
sack the chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, saying such an action
could truncate Nigeria's democracy.
Though Jonathan has said he would not sack Jega, the PDP is in court against
INEC's plan to use card readers during the election.
According to INEC, the card readers would help guide against rigging of the
elections as apart from other things, it would help to detect any cloned
voter's cards.
Obasanjo while speaking on Saturday, also said he had confidence in the
military's ability to win the war against Boko Haram especially as it in co-
operation with allied forces.
However, in a swift reaction, Dr. Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the
President Media & Publicity, said the assertions of the former President were
odious repugnant and self serving.Hear him:
“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 President also continues to trust in the good judgment of Nigerians and to
believe that in appreciation of his sincere efforts to move the country forward
over the past four years, they will re-elect him for a second term on March 28,
2015 with a mandate to pursue his agenda for national transformation to a
successful conclusion.”