Jonathan never planned Ramadan visit to IBB – Presidency
on August 07, 2013 at 2:00 am in News
By Ben Agande
Abuja — President Goodluck Jonathan,
yesterday, denied media report that his
request to break the Ramadan fast with
former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim
Babangida (rtd.), was turned down by the
latter.
In a statement in Abuja yesterday, Special
Adviser to the President on Media and
Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said there was
no such request and so the issue of being
turned down does not arise.
He demanded a retraction of the story by
the newspaper (not Vanguard) and an
apology to the president.
The statement read: “The mischievous lead
report in the daily today (yesterday) that
President Goodluck Jonathan sought to visit
former President Ibrahim Babangida in
Minna to show him ‘the spirit of
comradeship’ during Ramadan is completely
untrue.
“Although President Jonathan participates in
the Ramadan fast every year in solidarity
with Nigerians of the Islamic faith, he has
never as Vice President or President visited
the residence of any individual to break his
fast.
“Rather, it has been the President’s custom
to regularly invite Muslims from all strata of
society to break their fast with him at the
Presidential Villa, during the month of
Ramadan.
“In keeping with that established practice,
President Jonathan has been busy hosting
Muslims, most evenings of the current
Ramadan season.
“As much as he respects and holds
Babangida in high regard, President
Jonathan has never indicated any interest in
visiting him at Minna during the current
Ramadan.
“Therefore, there could not have been any
‘turning down’ of a visit by President
Jonathan by the former president.
“We condemn the decision of the editors of
the daily to publish such arrant falsehood in
spite of our vigorous rebuttal as a further
manifestation of a continuing effort to sow
the seeds of discord in the polity.
“Although the newspaper cites a phantom ‘reliable presidency source’ and ‘a source
close to the former president’ to buttress its
fictitious report, the editors of the daily
know fully well that they can never prove the
veracity of the false claim that President
Jonathan either offered to break fast with
Babangida in Minna or was turned down by
the former president.
“We, therefore, demand a full retraction of
the totally false report, which demeans the
office of the President and an apology by the newspaper.”
www.vanguardngr.com/2013/08/jonathan-never-planned-ramadan-visit-to-ibb-presidency/

We dn hear.......issorai

On a closer look The daily might be that of the south westerners. Lie lie journalism.

to be frank, many of today's journalists are only bent on sensational headlines which are most times misleading. I am not GEJ's apologist but office of the President deserves some respect

The Presidency must have too much time on its hands if it is responding so vigorously to this silly rumor.

Is he the president or a celebrity? Even Tonto Dikeh won't respond to a rumour like this.

ofala: to be frank, many of today's journalists are only bent on sensational headlines which are most times misleading. I am not GEJ's apologist but office of the President deserves some respect

are talking of the misleading headlines on NL sometimes

if it's demeaning to brake fast In the home of an ex president why is it not demeaning enough to visit the home of the said ex president