Presidential flag bearer of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Incumbent Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan today argued that suggestions making the rounds that he planned to put in place an Interim National Government instead of handing over to a democratically elected President on May 29 was treasonable.
In addition, the president posited that the only ING that could be put in place was that of the military which, according to him would not be acceptable to the nation and the international community.
Speaking at the opening mass for the plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria which took place at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Garki, Abuja, the Commander-In-Chief gave an assurance to all stakeholders that elections would hold on the rescheduled dates and the winners would be inaugurated on May 29.
According to Jonathan, "There is no way Goodluck Jonathan, elected by the people with clear mandate, will now go and head interim government. The only interim government anybody can constitute is that of the military government which of course will not be accepted.
"ECOWAS, AU, UN won’t accept it. And Nigeria will not be a pariah state. Clearly the insinuation of interim government, to me, is treasonable."
Describing the election postponement as a blessing in disguise, president Jonathan insisted that there would have been a monumental loss during a recent attack on Gombe State on the same day earlier fixed for the presidential election.
He added, "Look at what happened in Gombe on February 14th, if the elections had been held, the casualty figure after that attack in Gombe would have been great.
"It is better for us to conduct elections that will not be contested, elections that are credible, free and fair. We believe no criminal element can come and prevent us from conducting our elections.
“I will not do anything because of personal interest that would jeopardise the interest of this nation. When I listen to how some of us politicians talk… but God is supreme this nation will survive."
Also speaking, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, asked President Jonathan to warn his aides and supporters to watch their utterances.
He said, "There should not be room for negative campaigns. Personal insults and caricatures should give way to rational discussion of issues that concern us all.
"Truth must be sacrosanct even in politics. Lies, deceit, calumnies cannot move us forward. They are the hallmarks of the bad politics which have not allowed us achieve the high level that we deserve as a nation.
"These are what builds tensions, heats up the polity, spreads dangerous rumours and cause deep distrust among rival political groups. All this is not in the interest of our people."
Photo credit: codewit
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