The presidency has alleged that former President Olusegun Obasanjo is scheming to thwart the forthcoming general elections and foist an unconstitutional Interim National Government, which he hopes to head, on the nation.
Special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Reuben Abati, said this in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, in reaction to an allegation by Obasanjo that President Goodluck Jonathan was planning to plunge the country into crisis if he loses the forthcoming general election.
Abati said the presidency found Obasanjo’s allegation odious and repugnant.
He added that it was senseless, irrational and out of place for Obasanjo, who still claims to belong to the same party as the president, to accuse 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.
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He said contrary to Obasanjo’s claim, the president would continue to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant federal agencies to ensure that the rescheduled elections are successfully conducted.
The statement reads, “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 willfully 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”.
