The Presidency two nights ago rose in defence of President Goodluck Jonathan for not speaking at the
memorial service in honour of the former South African leader, Nelson Mandela
in South Africa.
memorial service in honour of the former South African leader, Nelson Mandela
in South Africa.
The President had come under serious condemnation by critics
in the social media, who wondered why he went to Johannesburg in the first
place without rendering an oration in honour of Madiba as other world leaders
did.
in the social media, who wondered why he went to Johannesburg in the first
place without rendering an oration in honour of Madiba as other world leaders
did.
But Presidential Spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati, dismissed the
attacks on the President as a classic case of much ado about nothing, as
Jonathan was not billed to speak at the ceremony in the first place.
attacks on the President as a classic case of much ado about nothing, as
Jonathan was not billed to speak at the ceremony in the first place.
According to Abati, only six out of the 100 world leaders at
the event, were slated to speak and Jonathan was not one of those chosen to
render any speech.
the event, were slated to speak and Jonathan was not one of those chosen to
render any speech.
“The late Madiba’s burial is not a United Nations Debating
session. It is what it is a burial: a solemn, national ceremony,” Abati said.
session. It is what it is a burial: a solemn, national ceremony,” Abati said.
” Leaders from all over the world attended the Memorial
Service to pay their last respects and to identify with South Africans in their
hour of grief. It was certainly not meant to be an occasion for political
grandstanding or the waving of flags.
Service to pay their last respects and to identify with South Africans in their
hour of grief. It was certainly not meant to be an occasion for political
grandstanding or the waving of flags.
“Out of about 100 world leaders who attended the event
today, only six spoke at the ceremony. It was made clear at the occasion that
the Chairman of the AU Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will speak on
behalf of African leaders. And she did.
today, only six spoke at the ceremony. It was made clear at the occasion that
the Chairman of the AU Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will speak on
behalf of African leaders. And she did.
“I do not agree that Nigeria was insulted in any way. It was
good that President Jonathan attended the Memorial service and that Nigeria is
in solidarity with the South Africans.
good that President Jonathan attended the Memorial service and that Nigeria is
in solidarity with the South Africans.
“If every leader who attended the service had been asked to
say a word, the event would not have ended. There were many other leaders at
the event, whose countries have strong historical and political ties with South
Africa, but who did not speak.
say a word, the event would not have ended. There were many other leaders at
the event, whose countries have strong historical and political ties with South
Africa, but who did not speak.
“I have not heard their compatriots crying like babies. This
is obviously a further indication of a rising, minority tendency to read the
negative into every official item,”Abati said.
is obviously a further indication of a rising, minority tendency to read the
negative into every official item,”Abati said.
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