STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

President Jonathan Did Not Contest for AU Chairmanship



It has come to our attention that some media houses are alleging that President Goodluck Jonathan was "defeated" by President Yayi Boni of Benin Republic in the “contest” to elect a new African Union Chairman at the 18th AU summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This report is false and is only the latest in a series of sensational and fictional reporting in a bid to cast the administration of President Jonathan in bad light. Let me make the following clear:



1. It is not true that President Yayi Boni “defeated” President Goodluck Jonathan in an election; there was no contest in the first place and President Jonathan was not a candidate for the AU Chairmanship position.



2. It is also not true that President John Atta Mills opposed President Jonathan at any time. Ghana and Nigeria enjoy excellent relations.



3. It is true, however, that in the last week, some newspapers have been speculating that President Jonathan may be adopted by the ECOWAS Heads of States and Governments to be the next chairman of the African Union, since it was the turn of ECOWAS to produce the AU Chairman for 2012-2013. Mr. President was indeed approached by leaders within and outside the West African sub-region to take up the challenge of leading the AU for the next one year.



4. While appreciating this kind gesture, President Jonathan resolved that he needed time to focus on domestic affairs in Nigeria, and that it would be practically difficult for him to combine the three positions of President of Nigeria, Chairman of ECOWAS and Chairman of African Union. He therefore rejected the offer.



5. In order to make his position clear, President Jonathan, in his capacity as ECOWAS Chairman, summoned a mini-Summit of ECOWAS at the AU Commission Headquarters on Saturday, January 28, 2012, to ensure that there was a meeting of minds on the position of AU Chairman. His preference, he noted, would be for ECOWAS to adopt the leader of another country, in order to promote a sense of belonging among member-states. Nigeria, having occupied the position of AU Chairman four times in the past, would readily support any such country.



6. As it turned out, the President of the Republic of Benin had indicated interest in the position, which paved the way for his unanimous adoption by the ECOWAS Heads of State as the sub-region’s candidate for the AU Chair. Thus, it becomes obvious that President Jonathan rather than being “defeated” by President Yayi Boni of Benin actually facilitated his emergence as AU Chairman.



Reuben Abati

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

January 30, 2012

Kx:

This response only succeeded in confirming all that it set out to deny.
Is Reuben not fast loosing it?

speeder:

This Sahareporters should be charged to court. They always bring forth false news. They were d ones who said Jonathan was been defeated. Sahara president is a fool for always posting wrong info. Are they d only news line that Nigeria got. They always want to be fast in bringing forth news. Mr president we understand ur reasons and dey are credible. Ride on, we are suddenly behind u.

Boko Haram Costs Jonathan AU Chair As Benin’s Yayi Takes Over

Benin President Yayi Boni “Defeats” Nigeria’s Jonathan To Become AU Chairman

The position of AU chairperson is rotated among African leaders and held for one year. Diplomatic sources say Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh had been seriously considered for the post, while some leaders had proposed Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan.

luvsonnex:

Even if he did, who would have considered him, with all these Boko Haram insurgence in the land? That's simply biting more than u can chew.

Ninapha:

Unrepentant haters.  you don't care for his explanation but u all were in a haste to castigate him when ur rumour chairman posted his  supposed defeat on NL. hmm 9ja, 9ja. una worry oo

Ninapha:

Unrepentant haters.  you don't care for his explanation but u all were in a haste to castigate him when ur rumour chairman posted his  supposed defeat on NL. hmm 9ja, 9ja. una worry oo

Mr president we
understand ur reasons and dey are credible.
Ride on, we are suddenly behind u.

Demdem:

he don lose am.
Indeed the rantings of a loser.

eGuerrilla:

Why don't you advise the presidency to start off with the following media outfits first?
Dem say nah diplomatic sources leak behind-the-scenes machinations. Which one be your own?

Source: [url]http://www.leadership.ng/nga/articles/14755/2012/01/29/boko_haram_costs_jonathan_au_chair_benin%E2%80%99s_yayi_takes_over.html[/url]

Source: http://dailypost.com.ng/2012/01/29/o/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=o

Source: [url]http://www.channelstv.com/global/news_details.php?nid=31245&cat=World%20News[/url]

df2006:



ever wondered why it is only sahara and northern newspapers spreading the lies?

well, in their wildest dreams! they certainly have lost it in nigeria, so no amount of terrorism and false reporting will bring back the status quo.

btw remove channels from that list.

df2006:

i wonder who d loser is here? you are almost going bald from hate.