₦airaland Forum

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday issued a rare public rebuke of his predecessor, Olusegun Obasanjo, accusing him of attempting to return to power through the backdoor by foisting an Interim National Government on Nigeria, in the hope he will be made head of the administration.
Mr. Jonathan’s remarks followed comments by the former president on Saturday that President Jonathan was plotting to destabilise Nigeria as it becomes apparent he will lose upcoming elections.
Speaking to journalists at his home in Abeokuta, Mr. Obasanjo said the president’s plan may be to stir chaos in the country as ex-leader of Ivory Coast, Laurent Gbagbo, did.
Mr. Obasanjo, who spoke just days after endorsing ex-military ruler, Muhammadu Buhari, as his preferred presidential candidate ahead of Mr. Jonathan, said the incumbent may be driven by a grave fear of having Mr. Buhari as his successor.
Mr. Jonathan rejected the claim that he was planning to create chaos or to hang on to power if voted out.
A spokesperson for the president, Reuben Abati, said Mr. Obasanjo is instead guilty of his own accusation, as his repeated attacks on Mr. Jonathan are aimed at creating an atmosphere for an Interim Government, in the hope that Mr. Obasanjo would be asked to head to body.
“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,” Mr. Abati said in a statement.
Read the full statement from President Jonathan’s office below:
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 wilfully 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.
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)



http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/176871-jonathan-slams-obasanjo-says-ex-president-canvassing-head-interim-govt.html

Nigerians should be thankful to have a man of OBJ's status who keeps blowing open every possible evil machination of this present government. Even if that is the last good he will do for Nigeria, we should appreciate it. We hardly hear from the likes of IBB and co even at a critical phase the country is going through. OBJ's open discontentment is definitely an additional positive stimulus keeping this non-challant leadership a little bit on its toes. As much as many would be quick to castigate his personality, we should take a pause and ask ourselves why the past heads of state are not being outspoken enough in the face of all these national turmoil.

na wa o......
the powers that be, all playing chess......


lets keep watching

Obj own too much self. Say an because Gej no allow his godfatherism abi waiting? Anyway, obj no fit dictate for us sha, Gej till 2019

Hmmmm...........I wonder what GEJ is thinking. He doesn't have the interest of d nation at heart. May God help us

AIZubair:
Nigerians should be thankful to have a man of OBJ's status who keeps blowing open every possible evil machination of this present government. Even if that is the last good he will do for Nigeria, we should appreciate it. We hardly hear from the likes of IBB and co even at a critical phase the country is going through. OBJ's open discontentment is definitely an additional positive stimulus keeping this non-challant leadership a little bit on its toes. As much as many would be quick to castigate his personality, we should take a pause and ask ourselves why the past heads of state are not being outspoken enough in the face of all these national turmoil.

Guess I read this comment on punch newsaper. Just wondering if it is the same person or a copy and paste individual. Just saying.

We need Obj in our country and I doubt this Abati's allegations. How is that possible?

Ok

ok o

so it implies that GEJ has the intention of creating an interim leader but been scared of OBJ hijacking it huh?

AIZubair:
Nigerians should be thankful to have a man of OBJ's status who keeps blowing open every possible evil machination of this present government. Even if that is the last good he will do for Nigeria, we should appreciate it. We hardly hear from the likes of IBB and co even at a critical phase the country is going through. OBJ's open discontentment is definitely an additional positive stimulus keeping this non-challant leadership a little bit on its toes. As much as many would be quick to castigate his personality, we should take a pause and ask ourselves why the past heads of state are not being outspoken enough in the face of all these national turmoil.

how old are you? When last did you study your history, OBJ government was the worst democracy we witnessed, it seems APshits are the real problem of Nigeria

Nawa for my country

Faibuhari:
how old are you? When last did you study your history, OBJ government was the worst democracy we witnessed, it seems APshits are the real problem of Nigeria

U re psychologically bankrupt. Obj never disbanded NGF, he never laid siege or make an unruly interference to d other tier of govt like Jonathan invasion of the national assembly in bid to usurp d constitution n resolve to sef help. Under obj u talked abt out of ignorant or cheer hate, Nigeria never had it this bad. Nigeria military under obj remained gallant n no group had the temerity to kill a Nigeria soldier without feeling d weight d finest soldiers in Westfrica. U have 7 House of Ass members out of 26members enjoying d backing of security operatives to impeach n sign state budget. Not a single child was kidnapped frm his dormitory for a whole day nt to talk of 6months jst like chibokgirls under d watch of a clueless president. The numbers re too many, so dnt talk abt obj in bad light again.

jayonpoint:
U re psychologically bankrupt. Obj never disbanded NGF, he never laid siege or make an unruly interference to d other tier of govt like Jonathan invasion of the national assembly in bid to usurp d constitution n resolve to sef help. Under obj u talked abt out of ignorant or cheer hate, Nigeria never had it this bad. Nigeria military under obj remained gallant n no group had the temerity to kill a Nigeria soldier without feeling d weight d finest soldiers in Westfrica. U have 7 House of Ass members out of 26members enjoying d backing of security operatives to impeach n sign state budget. Not a single child was kidnapped frm his dormitory for a whole day nt to talk of 6months jst like chibokgirls under d watch of a clueless president. The numbers re too many, so dnt talk abt obj in bad light again.

I still insist on my question, How old are you? Don't you study history of political characters before commenting?

Faibuhari:
I still insist on my question, How old are you? Don't you study history of political characters before commenting?

U re frm desert.