President Goodluck Jonathan has debunked reports in a section of the media that he contested the AU Chairmanship position and lost to President Yayi Boni of Benin Republic at the 18th AU summit held in Addis Ababa.
In a statement, Monday, by Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity),Reuben Abati; ” 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.”
The statement reads,” It is also not true that President John Atta Mills opposed President Jonathan at any time. Ghana and Nigeria enjoy excellent relations. 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.”
” But the President while appreciating this kind gesture, 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. ”
“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.”
Abati also affirmed that “President Jonathan rather than being “defeated” by President Yayi Boni of Benin actually facilitated his emergence as AU Chairman via his unanimous adoption by the ECOWAS Heads of State as the sub-region’s candidate for the AU Chair.”
In a statement, Monday, by Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity),Reuben Abati; ” 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.”
The statement reads,” It is also not true that President John Atta Mills opposed President Jonathan at any time. Ghana and Nigeria enjoy excellent relations. 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.”
” But the President while appreciating this kind gesture, 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. ”
“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.”
Abati also affirmed that “President Jonathan rather than being “defeated” by President Yayi Boni of Benin actually facilitated his emergence as AU Chairman via his unanimous adoption by the ECOWAS Heads of State as the sub-region’s candidate for the AU Chair.”
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/jonathan-didnt-contest-au-chairmanship-presidency/
Why is it that Nigerians NEVER want anything good for their own people? What has anyone of you got to gain from whether or not GEJ contested? And you begin to wonder why many African countries have no respect for you. How can they, when you don't have respect for yourselves?
ReplyDeleteMOST PEOPLE WHO POST COMMENTS ARE ILL INFORMED AND ARE NOT READY 2CHANGE THEIR SELF SEEKING ATTITUDE OF MALIGNING AND INSULTING THE PRESIDENT.PLS ALWAYS SEEK THE PUBLIC GOOD AND POST OR WRITE CORRECT STORIES.STOP ALL THE FALSEHOOD AND NEGATIVE PROPAGANDA ATTITUDE OF SAHARA REPORTERS WHO FEED READERS WITH ERRORS AND ABSURD CRITICISM.
ReplyDeleteWHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT GEJ IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA,PERIOD.WRITE YR TRASH AND FOOLISH COMMENTS FRM 2DAY TILL 2015,IT CANT CHANGE D TRUTH.HE WILL EVEN GO 4ANOTHER TERM.
For once i am certain GEJ never contested. Never a candidat from Nigeria shall be opposed or defeated by Ghana nor Benin. GEJ your decision not to vie for the post is very welcomed and supported. What you did is right.
ReplyDeleteThese lies show how petty opposition politicians have become. We should allow our President to focus on all the domestic challenges that past leaders and greedy Nigerians who don't want change created. History will prove them wrong
ReplyDelete