Connect with us

International

GEJ concedes: I never spoke with King Mohammed

Published

on

Worried by the controversy of whether or not he had a phone conversation with King Mohammed of Morocco, President Goodluck Jonathan has stated that at no time did he speak with the monarch, nor did he tell anybody he had.

Special Adviser to the president on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati in a statement on Friday noted that the president was highly embarrassed by the controversy that had erupted over the incident.

While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement claiming that Jonathan spoke with the Moroccan king, authorities of the kingdom denied the claim and thereafter recalled their ambassador to Nigeria.

Abati attributed the furore over the matter to the misinformation by the ministry.

The presidential spokesman said although the President asked the ministry to arrange telephone conversations between him and King of Morocco, the President of Algeria and the President of Egypt, he had yet to speak with the Moroccan monarch.

He said, “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.

“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”.

Abati said the President had consequently directed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, to carry out a full investigation aimed at identifying those behind the statement that he spoke with King Mohammed and their motives.

He added that the President had ordered that commensurate disciplinary action be taken against the culprit(s).

 

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now