Misconceptions about “the phone conversation” between President Goodluck Jonathan and King Mohammed VI of Morocco has been cleared with the President Jonathan admitting that Nigeria is the wrong party.
In a statement issued through the presidential media aide, Reuben Abati, the President is deeply embarrassed and has ordered immediate investigation of this claim
The statement says that, “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,” said Reuben Abati, the spokesman of President Goodluck Jonathan in a statement.”
It however confirmed that the president has been trying to speak with the monarch leader as part of efforts to seek support for Nigeria’s candidate for the position of President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina.
The Morocco government however disagreed, saying that the move of the president to speak with the king is in a bid to woo Nigerian Muslims.
The statement further said, “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.”
In deep embarrassment, the president has ordered a thorough probe into the claim which emanated from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“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.”