Obasanjo Is Plotting Towards Heading Interim Govt --Presidency

The Presidency on Saturday said it was aware of a plot by former
President Olusegun Obasanjo and some unnamed others within and outside
the country to thwart the forthcoming general elections and foist an
unconstitutional Interim National Government,which he hopes to head,
on the nation.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben
Abati, said this in a statement made available to journalists in
Abuja.

Abati was reacting to an allegation by Obasanjo that President
Goodluck Jonathan was planning to plunge the country into crisis if he
loses the forthcoming general election.

He said the Presidency found Obasanjo's allegation odious and repugnant.

He said the former President had repeatedly been impugning on
Jonathan's integrity for the purpose of self-promotion.

The presidential spokesman said it was senseless, irrational and out
of place for Obasanjo, who still claims to belong to the same party as
the President, to accuse Jonathan of plotting to win the rescheduled
presidential elections by "hook or crook" and planning to plunge the
nation into crisis if he loses the election.

He said contrary to Obasanjo's claim, the President would continue to
support the Independent National Electoral Commission and other
relevant federal agencies to ensure that the rescheduled elections are
successfully conducted.

The statement read, "We find the false claims and allegations
reportedly made against President Goodluck Jonathan by Chief Olusegun
Obasanjo on Saturday in Abeokuta very odious and repugnant.

"As we have had cause to say before, it is most regrettable indeed
that a man like Chief Obasanjo, who should know better, chooses to
repeatedly, wantonly, and maliciously impugn the integrity of a
sitting President of his country for the primary purpose of
self-promotion.

"It is obvious from Chief Obasanjo's serial vituperations against
President Jonathan who is doing his best to positively transform
Nigeria for the benefit of all of its people that he has willfully
chosen to close his eyes to the present administration's good works
and intentions. For reasons best known to him, Chief Obasanjo has set
his mind on regime change by fair or foul means.

"Otherwise, it would be completely senseless, irrational and out of
place for Chief Obasanjo, who still claims to belong to the same party
as the President, to accuse President Jonathan of plotting to win the
rescheduled presidential elections by "hook or crook" and planning to
plunge the nation into crisis if he loses the election.
--PUNCH