U.S. Replies Jonathan, Pledges Neutrality In 2019 Polls

Hamilton Nwosa
Writer

Ad

(PHOTOS) Details as Gambari, Waly, Douye Diri, Lawal, Blatmann, Gambo, Fagbemi, Alake, Djebah, Larajinha, Others Chart Pathway for a brighter Gulf of Guinea

By Abiola Olawale At a high-level roundtable held during the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80), about 100 great minds, global thought leaders, policy makers, private sector icons, and civil society leaders convened to chart an enduring way forward for the Gulf of Guinea, one of Africa’s most strategic regions. Chaired by eminent Scholar-Diplomat…

2027: Why Jonathan ‘ll Contest Against Tinubu, Ex-Minister Jerry Gana Opens up

By Abiola Olawale A veteran Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and a former Minister of Information and Orientation, Prof. Jerry Gana, has revealed that former President Goodluck Jonathan will contest against President Bola Tinubu in the forthcoming 2027 presidential election. Gana declared that Jonathan has the ambition to run for the nation's top job again.…

FG Slams US Comedian, Denies Claims of Genocide Against Christians in Nigeria

By Abiola Olawale The Federal Government of Nigeria (FG) has denied allegations of a systematic genocide against Christians in the country. This is as the government criticised US comedian and political commentator Bill Maher for amplifying what it described as "false and divisive" narratives. The controversy erupted after Maher claimed that: "I'm not a Christian,…

Ad

United States (U.S.) Consulate in Nigeria has reacted to the allegations by former President Goodluck Jonathan that former President Barack Obama interfered in the 2015 presidential elections to favour President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Public Affairs Officer (PAO), Consulate General Lagos, Russell Brooks, in a live chat on Facebook, said that Jonathan erred by mischaracterisation.

He said that elections in Nigeria had been plagued by violence, expressing hope that the country would do better like it did in 2015.

Declaring that the U.S. would not be supporting any presidential candidate ahead of the 2019 election, it however affirmed White House’s support for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the media and civil society, especially in the area of capacity building.

He said: “It was mischaracterised in the book about what President Obama or his administration did in Nigeria. The mischaracterisation here refers to not comprehending why we felt it was important for Nigeria to have a peaceful, free and fair election in 2015. And people may not understand why we placed so much importance on having a peaceful, free, fair and transparent election in 2019.

“In the past, Nigeria’s elections had been beset by violence. There have been questions about the fairness of those elections. And we certainly believe that Nigeria can do better. In 2015, Nigeria did better. There may have been some difficulties as they often occur in elections whether here in Nigeria or in the U.S. But Nigeria did better and we believe Nigeria will continue to make progress.

“We are not favouring or supporting any candidate. It is up to Nigerians to decide. Our candidate is the process. The process should be free and fair; it should be a non-violent process. I am not talking of any plus or minus of any candidate; we are not favouring any.”

Jonathan in his book, ‘My Transition Hours’, claims that Obama interfered in the 2015 presidential election in favour of Buhari.

He berated the former U.S. president for sending the then Secretary of State, John Kerry, to Nigeria on the eve of the election to protest perceived moves to postpone the election.

Ad

Unlocking Opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea during UNGA80
X whatsapp