The
Presidency, Sunday, lashed out at the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN,
over comments attributed to the spokesman of the party where it claimed that
President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration is “descending into
despotism”.
Presidency, Sunday, lashed out at the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN,
over comments attributed to the spokesman of the party where it claimed that
President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration is “descending into
despotism”.
In a statement by Dr. Reuben Abati, Special
Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, the Presidency said
the attack by ACN,” represents yet another attempt by the party and its
spokesperson to stand the truth on its head and indulge in the politics of
abuse.”
Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, the Presidency said
the attack by ACN,” represents yet another attempt by the party and its
spokesperson to stand the truth on its head and indulge in the politics of
abuse.”
Abati further said, “the ACN is the real abode
of budding despots in Nigeria.”
of budding despots in Nigeria.”
The statement:
“The latest press statement by Lai Mohammed of
the Action Congress of Nigeria, in which he claims, wrongly as always, that the
Jonathan administration is “descending into despotism,” represents yet another
attempt by the ACN and its spokesperson to stand the truth on its head and
indulge in the politics of abuse. They should not be allowed to get away with
their perfidy.
the Action Congress of Nigeria, in which he claims, wrongly as always, that the
Jonathan administration is “descending into despotism,” represents yet another
attempt by the ACN and its spokesperson to stand the truth on its head and
indulge in the politics of abuse. They should not be allowed to get away with
their perfidy.
“President Jonathan is a democratically elected
leader who is running a people-oriented, inclusive and progressive government.
Under his watch, Nigeria’s democracy has been consolidated; the scope for human
freedoms has been further expanded and there is respect for due process and the
rule of law. Ordinary Nigerians appreciate the fact that they have a President
who is humane, disciplined and focused.”
leader who is running a people-oriented, inclusive and progressive government.
Under his watch, Nigeria’s democracy has been consolidated; the scope for human
freedoms has been further expanded and there is respect for due process and the
rule of law. Ordinary Nigerians appreciate the fact that they have a President
who is humane, disciplined and focused.”
“Does Lai Mohammed know the meaning of the word,
despotism, or is he just throwing the word around for onomatopoetic effect? He
and his sponsors are in fact beneficiaries of the openness and freedom that
this administration promotes. The paradox is that those who do not allow
freedom and equality in their own party or backyard, those who are well known
as self-proclaimed Godfathers and closet despots, are the same ones who are now
quick to accuse others of despotism. The ACN should start by removing the log
in its eyes. President Jonathan is not a despot. ACN is the real abode of
budding despots in Nigeria.
despotism, or is he just throwing the word around for onomatopoetic effect? He
and his sponsors are in fact beneficiaries of the openness and freedom that
this administration promotes. The paradox is that those who do not allow
freedom and equality in their own party or backyard, those who are well known
as self-proclaimed Godfathers and closet despots, are the same ones who are now
quick to accuse others of despotism. The ACN should start by removing the log
in its eyes. President Jonathan is not a despot. ACN is the real abode of
budding despots in Nigeria.
“The Transformation Agenda which Lai Mohammed
tries to pooh-pooh is a well thought-out blueprint on the basis of which this
administration continues to serve the interests of the people and move the
country forward. The evidence of the Jonathan administration’s achievements is
visible in many aspects of Nigerian life and society: from agriculture, to
aviation, the economy, job creation, power, industry, trade and investment,
transportation and others. No amount of name-calling or partisan criticism will
distract the government’s attention, just in case the ACN assumes that its
persistent distortion of the facts will achieve that objective.”
tries to pooh-pooh is a well thought-out blueprint on the basis of which this
administration continues to serve the interests of the people and move the
country forward. The evidence of the Jonathan administration’s achievements is
visible in many aspects of Nigerian life and society: from agriculture, to
aviation, the economy, job creation, power, industry, trade and investment,
transportation and others. No amount of name-calling or partisan criticism will
distract the government’s attention, just in case the ACN assumes that its
persistent distortion of the facts will achieve that objective.”
“The ACN’s allegation that there is a
disagreement between the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi is also
wrong-headed and mischievous. Governor Amaechi has publicly stated that
this particular allegation is a piece of fiction created by certain persons and
the media. We insist that President Jonathan is not engaged in any quarrel or
dispute with Governor Amaechi. And it is wrong to use the matter of the
aircraft that was grounded by the aviation authorities to concoct stories of
persecution.
disagreement between the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi is also
wrong-headed and mischievous. Governor Amaechi has publicly stated that
this particular allegation is a piece of fiction created by certain persons and
the media. We insist that President Jonathan is not engaged in any quarrel or
dispute with Governor Amaechi. And it is wrong to use the matter of the
aircraft that was grounded by the aviation authorities to concoct stories of
persecution.
” The institutions involved have offered reasons
publicly why they took their decision with regard to the unlicensed aircraft,
which in any case is an asset of the state, not the Governor’s personal
property. The President has nothing to do with that incident. ”
publicly why they took their decision with regard to the unlicensed aircraft,
which in any case is an asset of the state, not the Governor’s personal
property. The President has nothing to do with that incident. ”
“The ACN claims that there is “a growing
propensity to stifle the freedom of expression and freedom of the press.”
The report by the Committee to Protect Journalists which the ACN quotes is not
a comment on government-media relations in Nigeria. This administration sees
the media as a strategic partner in the business of nation-building. The
government not only enjoys a robust relationship with the media, it continues
to encourage the freedom of expression and of the press.
propensity to stifle the freedom of expression and freedom of the press.”
The report by the Committee to Protect Journalists which the ACN quotes is not
a comment on government-media relations in Nigeria. This administration sees
the media as a strategic partner in the business of nation-building. The
government not only enjoys a robust relationship with the media, it continues
to encourage the freedom of expression and of the press.
” Lai Mohammed tries to substantiate his dubious
claim by seeking to build something on nothing. He tries in vain. The truth is
that the Nigerian media is pluralistic, vibrant, independent and free; it has
grown in scope, size and in terms of the freedom to practise under this
administration.”
claim by seeking to build something on nothing. He tries in vain. The truth is
that the Nigerian media is pluralistic, vibrant, independent and free; it has
grown in scope, size and in terms of the freedom to practise under this
administration.”
Source: Vanguard
