their personal belongings out of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, few
days after the President lost his re-election bid, PUNCH reports.
PUNCH correspondent sighted some buses loaded with travel bags moving
out of the President's official residence at about midday on Friday.
One of the buses, a white 18-seater Hiace bus marked PF 6244 AL, was
still being loaded with bags of different shades and sizes at the time
of filing this report.
It was not clear at press time where the buses were heading for.
A source said the early removal of the personal effects of the first
family might have been necessitated by the need for the renovation of
the residence ahead of the May 29 handover date.
For renovation work to commence on time, the President may have to be
operating from outside the residence in the days ahead.
PUNCH also reports that the Presidency had commenced a discreet
investigation into how a recording of the telephone call by the
President to Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) on March 31,
congratulating him on his victory at the last Saturday's presidential
election was leaked.
The recording which revealed details of what transpired between the
two leaders went viral on the Internet on Thursday.
The audio of the conversation credited to one ENDS.ng @EveryNigerian
was titled, "Historic congratulatory call from President Goodluck
Jonathan to President-elect Muhammadu Buhari on March 31, 2015."
A government official, who pleaded anonymity, told The PUNCH on Friday
that the Presidency was embarrassed by the leaked recording.
While saying that a thorough investigation is underway, the security
source said the first step was to ascertain whether the recording was
leaked from the Presidency or was made public from the
President-elect's camp.
He said it was only if it was discovered that the recording was leaked
from the Presidency that further investigation would be conducted to
ascertain those behind it in order to mete out appropriate punishment.
He, however, refused to talk on how long the investigation will take.
"Definitely, unauthorised release of a raw recording of the
President's telephone conversation, if from our (Presidency's) end is
a security breach that cannot go without being investigated," he said.
The President also promised on Friday to break his silence on his
experience in office and other sundry issues at the appropriate time.
He, however, did not give any indication on when the appropriate time will be.
Jonathan made the promise when State House correspondents approached
him for interview at the end of the Good Friday Service organised by
the Aso Villa Chapel.
"Don't worry; I will talk to you at the appropriate time," the
President said amid smile as he made his way from the chapel to his
official residence.
He was accompanied to the three-hour service that featured the Seven
Words of Christ on the Cross by Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa
State, and the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christians Pilgrims
Commission, Mr. John Kennedy-Okpara.
The seven short exhortations that accompanied the seven lessons all
centred on the sacrifice the preachers said Jonathan made to keep the
county united.
They likened Jonathan's decision to concede defeat in the last
Saturday's presidential election and congratulate the President-elect,
Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) of the All Progressives Congress to the
sacrifice Jesus Christ made to save mankind.
All the preachers agreed that the bold step taken by the President at
the appropriate time was commendable.
They urged him to remain focused because his future is in the hands of God.
"This man (Jonathan) said here that he is the most criticised
President and he prophesied that by the time he will be leaving, he
will be the most celebrated President. That has come to pass with the
way he is being celebrated worldwide for conceding defeat," one of the
clergymen who led intercessory prayers said.
The service also featured renditions of special hymns as well as
intercessory prayers for the President, for peace and for the country
at large.
Read more at PUNCH:
http://www.punchng.com/news/jonathan-family-move-personal-effects-from-aso-rock/
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