Jonathan orders investigation into his alleged phone conversation with Moroccan King Mohammed

ITRealms:

President Goodluck Jonathan has denied either speaking with King Mohammed of Morocco or told anybody that he had a telephone conversation with the Monarch, reports ITRealms.

This is coming as ITRealms confirms that President Jonathan has ordered full investigation into the furore that developed over the allegation, describing it as misinformation.

According to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati in a press statement made available to ITRealms, it was 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 (AfDB).

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 explained that 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,” he said.

The President, Abati further said has, however, not yet spoken with King Mohammed VI and President Al-Sisi of Egypt as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must know.

Following the furore thereof, President Jonathan has ordered the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali to urgently undertake a full investigation of the claim which emanated from the Ministry that the President spoke with King Mohammed VI.

He said 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" he said.

President Jonathan, he told ITRealms has also ordered that prompt and commensurate disciplinary action be taken against the culpable  person or persons.

Abati noted that 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.

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