The Action Congress of Nigeria has expressed disappointment at the failure of President Goodluck Jonathan to visit Lagos State as a show of “Presidential concern and support” after the July 10 floodings in the state.The ACN, in a statement on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said Jonathan should realise he was the President of all Nigerians and not only of the PDP and its supporters.
According to the party, the President should see the entire country as his constituency.
Besides, it said, “Whatever affects Lagos touches every Nigerian one way or the other” since it(Lagos) is the economic hub of Nigeria and home to all.
But the Presidency dismissed the ACN claim,saying that Jonathan was working with Governor Babatunde Fashola to address the challenges faced by Lagosians.
The party’s statement reads in part, ‘’A President that is not too busy to receive all manner of people in Aso Rock has not deemed it fit to embark on a quick trip to a state as strategic for all Nigerians and the nation’s economy as Lagos, after such a state was hit hard by a natural disaster.
“Even if the President and his advisers did not understand the symbolism of such visit, they could have taken a cue from what obtains in other climes.
“In April 2010, Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao both postponed planned overseas trips because of a strong earthquake in Northwestern China. In April 2010, US President Barrack Obama visited flood-hit Massachusetts, and personally thanked emergency operation officials monitoring flooding in the state. He carried out a similar tour of tornado-hit Missouri this year.
“And in November 2009, the then British Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited flood-hit Cumbria in Northwest, England to see the damages caused and show government support for the victims.”
The ACN argued that the above mentioned were instances that ought to be “emulated by any leader who believes the people are the source of his powers.”
It added, “Jonathan, who received massive votes in Lagos during the last elections, should not be an exception.’’
Reacting to the ACN statement on Sunday, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Rueben Abati, told one of our correspondents, that “the President is concerned about the flooding situation.”
He said, “It is not true at all to say that the President is unconcerned. It is a tragic incident, not an opportunity to score cheap political points.
“It is a tragic incident and the President does not wish to use it to look for photo opportunities.
“The President is on top of the situation and is working hand in hand with the government of Lagos State.
“The President has spoken to the governor of Lagos State several times over the matter.”
Noting that the ACN was trying to politicise the matter by misinterpreting Jonathan’s inability to visit Lagos, Abati noted that during a similar incident in Lagos and parts of Ogun State last year, the President visited the affected araea to commiserate with the victims. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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