Pres. Jonathan orders full investigation into cause of diplomatic row with Morocco
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is shocked,
surprised and highly embarrassed by the
controversy that has erupted over whether or
not he had a telephone conversation with His
Majesty, King Mohammed VI of Morocco. The
regrettable furore that has developed over the
matter is due entirely to misinformation as
President Jonathan has neither spoken with King
Mohammed or told anybody that he had a
telephone conversation with the Moroccan
Monarch.
It is true that President Jonathan has been
speaking with some African leaders to seek their
support for Nigeria's candidate for the position
of President of the African Development Bank
(AfDB).
In continuation of his efforts in support of the
candidacy of the Minister of Agriculture, Dr.
Akinwunmi Adesina for headship of the AfDB,
President Jonathan indicated that he would like
to speak with the King of Morocco, the President
of Algeria and the President of Egypt. The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs was consequently
directed to make necessary contacts with the
embassies of the three countries and arrange for
President Jonathan to speak with their leaders.
Since that directive was given, President
Jonathan has spoken with the Prime Minister of
Algeria and subsequently sent Vice President
Namadi Sambo to Algiers as Special Envoy to
follow-up on his discussions with the Algerian
Prime Minister on support for Nigeria's
candidate in the coming elections for the AfDB
Presidency.
The President has, however, not yet spoken with
King Mohammed VI and President Al-Sisi of
Egypt as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must
know. President Jonathan has therefore ordered
the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador
Aminu Wali to urgently undertake a full
investigation of the claim which emanated from
the Ministry that the President spoke with King
Mohammed VI.
The investigation is to identify all those who were
responsible for the unacceptable act of official
misinformation which has resulted in an
unnecessary diplomatic row with another
country and national embarrassment. It is also
expected to unveil the motives of the culprits.
President Jonathan has also ordered that
prompt and commensurate disciplinary action
be taken against the culpable person or persons.
While awaiting the outcome of the investigations,
President Jonathan urges Nigerians to disregard
the vituperations of opposition elements, who
have, true to type, latched on to the regrettable
faux pas as a fresh opportunity to unpatriotically
denigrate the government of their country and
advance their irresponsible quest for victory at
any price in the coming elections.
Reuben Abati Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity) March 13, 2015
