Special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Dr Reuben Abati on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 stated that the recent conditions given by the northern elders forum to President Jonathan that their support for the president is based on the return of the abducted Chibok girls was misguided and ill-advised.
In a statement in Abuja, Abati reiterated that no one was in any position to give the president of Nigeria any ultimatum.
The statement which read that on the ultimatum given to the president by the elders to the effect that if President Jonathan does not secure the safe release of the girls, he should not declare his ambition as regards the 2015 presidential election.
“Nobody is in a position to give the President of Nigeria an ultimatum. For anybody to pretend that they can give the President and the federal government of Nigeria ultimatum, such persons are engaging in a game of self delusion. Beyond that, the kind of statements they make are incorrect because it is very clear even to the blind , the deaf and the dumb that this administration has made the fight against insurgency and terrorism a high priority level engagement for the government.”
Abati goes on to say that President Jonathan has been at the vanguard of ensuring that the war on terror was a global agenda, adding that Boko Haram has been a focal point of international outreach against terrorism and under societal ills that threatens common humanity and civilization reminding all that the president has made use of all resources at his disposal to combat the trend both nationally and within the sub-region
President Jonathan, according to Abati holds he sanctity of human lives as an important factor in his government, pointing to countless occasions where the president has pledged to leave no stoone unturned to end insurgency in the country.
Part of the statement reads: “If the Northern Elders Forum were to be a patriotic group, they would be expressing support as members of the National Assembly have done again and again and as other enlightened groups in this society have done again and again.”
According to Abati’s evaluation, for President Jonathan to bring an end to terrorism, the northern elders forum ought to assume a patriotic stance, leading the anti-Boko Haram campaign and focusing their anger at the insurgents, speaking out against terrorism both at the community and government level until terrorism is brought to an end in all affected parts of the country.
On the contrary he states that they lacked patriotism hence their stance which he notes is devoid of affection. A stance which in his books can cause division, disaffection and negates truth adding that they have not right to accuse the government of the day of incompetence and deep-rooted corruption
If at all the president has been combating anything, it has been corruption, according to Abati explaining that the federal government has strengthened institutions in the country, thereby making corruption difficult and with time a thing of the past, placing emphasis on quality of service and efficiency
“So, I think that the Northern Elders Forum is misguided, is mis-advised and I dare add that that statement, if indeed is a statement that emanated as a group position rather than the wild imagining of two persons, then I will add that it was an irresponsible contribution” Abati said in conclusion.
