Following reports that President Goodluck Jonathan would prefer to hand over to the military instead of General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the office of the Presidency has come forward to debunk the claims, positing that such reports should be taken with a pinch of salt as the President was committed towards Nigeria’s democratic development.
Making the assertion was the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati who spoke with The Punch.
While disclaiming the reports Abati said the peddlers of such rumours were unpatriotic, narrow-minded individuals heating up the polity for their partisan interests.
He further stated that President Jonathan would not reverse the gains of democracy as on of the major achievements of his administration is the conduct of credible elections since 2011.
In Abati’s words: “That (the report) is absolute nonsense. It is nothing but a sign of desperation on the side of certain elements with partisan interest.
“President Jonathan remains fully committed to democracy and the rule of law. He is a man who believes in one man one vote; one woman, one vote; one youth, one vote and the right of every Nigerian of voting age to exercise their franchise.
“One of the major achievements of this administration had been the conduct of free, fair and credible elections at all levels since 2011 continue to be strengthened.
“He will continue to make efforts to deepen the electoral process and protect the integrity of the democratic order in Nigeria.
“I am saying categorically that the story is not true and cannot be true. It should not be taken seriously by anybody.”
