The Presidency has described the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, as a nest of “budding despots in Nigeria,” in a response to the opposition party accusing President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration of “descending into despotism.”<\/p>\n
A statement signed by Dr. Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity accused the ACN of standing the truth on its head and engaging in an unwholesome and consistent politics of abuse.<\/p>\n
The statement reads:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe latest press statement by Lai Mohammed of the Action Congress of Nigeria, in which he claims, wrongly as always, that the Jonathan administration is \u201cdescending into despotism,\u201d represents yet another attempt by the ACN and its spokesperson to stand the truth on its head and indulge in the politics of abuse. They should not be allowed to get away with their perfidy.<\/p>\n
\u201cPresident Jonathan is a democratically elected leader who is running a people-oriented, inclusive and progressive government. Under his watch, Nigeria\u2019s democracy has been consolidated; the scope for human freedoms has been further expanded and there is respect for due process and the rule of law. Ordinary Nigerians appreciate the fact that they have a President who is humane, disciplined and focused.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes Lai Mohammed know the meaning of the word, despotism, or is he just throwing the word around for onomatopoetic effect? He and his sponsors are in fact beneficiaries of the openness and freedom that this administration promotes. The paradox is that those who do not allow freedom and equality in their own party or backyard, those who are well known as self-proclaimed Godfathers and closet despots, are the same ones who are now quick to accuse others of despotism. The ACN should start by removing the log in its eyes. President Jonathan is not a despot. ACN is the real abode of budding despots in Nigeria.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Transformation Agenda which Lai Mohammed tries to pooh-pooh is a well thought-out blueprint on the basis of which this administration continues to serve the interests of the people and move the country forward. The evidence of the Jonathan administration\u2019s achievements is visible in many aspects of Nigerian life and society: from agriculture, to aviation, the economy, job creation, power, industry, trade and investment, transportation and others. No amount of name-calling or partisan criticism will distract the government\u2019s attention, just in case the ACN assumes that its persistent distortion of the facts will achieve that objective.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ACN\u2019s allegation that there is a disagreement between the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi is also wrong-headed and mischievous.
\nGovernor Amaechi has publicly stated that this particular allegation is a piece of fiction created by certain persons and the media. We insist that President Jonathan is not engaged in any quarrel or dispute with Governor Amaechi. And it is wrong to use the matter of the aircraft that was grounded by the aviation authorities to concoct stories of persecution.<\/p>\n
\u201d The institutions involved have offered reasons publicly why they took their decision with regard to the unlicensed aircraft, which in any case is an asset of the state, not the Governor\u2019s personal property. The President has nothing to do with that incident. \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ACN claims that there is \u201ca growing propensity to stifle the freedom of expression and freedom of the press.\u201d\u00a0 The report by the Committee to Protect Journalists which the ACN quotes is not a comment on government-media relations in Nigeria. This administration sees the media as a strategic partner in the business of nation-building. The government not only enjoys a robust relationship with the media, it continues to encourage the freedom of expression and of the press.<\/p>\n
\u201d Lai Mohammed tries to substantiate his dubious claim by seeking to build something on nothing. He tries in vain. The truth is that the Nigerian media is pluralistic, vibrant, independent and free; it has grown in scope, size and in terms of the freedom to practise under this administration.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Presidency has described the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, as a nest of “budding despots in Nigeria,” in a response to the opposition party accusing President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3343,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12763","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive"],"yoast_head":"\n