Ignore The Rumours! FG’s Topmost Priority Is National Security Not Public Relations- Abati

Reports in national and foreign media that the Federal
Government is currently in the process of recruiting an international public
relations firm to “counter mounting criticism both inside and outside the
country” are completely false and baseless.

The suggestion that the Federal Government intends to spend
a staggering sum of $800 Million on the phantom public relations effort to ease
“increasing pressure over its response to the kidnapping of more than 200
schoolgirls” is also wholly untrue.

Coming as they do, at a particularly difficult and sensitive
time for the entire nation, the Federal Government considers the reports of a
drive to recruit consultants to launder its image highly insensitive,
deplorable, absurd and very malicious.

The Federal Government’s topmost priority for now is not
public relations or image laundering but national security and the ongoing
effort to ensure the safe return of the abducted college girls.

We therefore condemn the attempt by purveyors of the bogus
reports to incite the Nigerian public against the Federal Government through
the circulation of falsehoods .

 

Reuben Abati

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

May 27, 2014