President Jonathan Orders Full Investigation Into His Alleged Phone Conversation With King Of Morocco

Here’s the press statement from the state house to that
effect.

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