Nigerians know that Jonathan has performed, says Abati

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, on Sunday said despite the criticisms being directed at President Goodluck Jonathan, majority of Nigerians are aware that the Federal Government under his watch has performed creditably well.



Abati made his position known in an interview he granted the Voice of America.

He said it was on record that the government had turned the nation’s economy into the largest one in Africa.

“A majority of Nigerians know that this is a government that has performed, that has turned the Nigerian economy into the largest economy in Africa.

“This is the government that has revived the railways, this is the government that has achieved a lot in terms of privatising the power sector and giving real hope about the power sector,” Abati said.

He disagreed with those accusing the President of incompetence and failure to fulfill his electoral promises, saying the accusations are mere political rhetoric.

Ahead of the campaigns for the 2015 presidential elections, the presidential aide said Jonathan would only campaign based on issues and ideas.

He said the President would shun campaigns of empty promises which he alleged the oppositions are specialised in.

“President Jonathan will campaign on issues and ideas. He will not campaign on the basis of emotions or empty rhetoric or the kind of empty promises that the opposition seems to have acquired professionalism in,” he added.

He said the administration had explicit confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission to organise free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

Abati reiterated the Presidency’s position that the present administration would win the war against terror despite efforts by unnamed individuals to sabotage government’s efforts.

He accused opponents of the President of taking undue advantage of the country’s security challenges to score cheap political points ahead the next elections.

He added, “What President Jonathan has always said is that the will of the people and of the Nigerian government is stronger than that of the terrorists and insurgents.

“And no matter what it takes, no matter how long it takes the government is determined to win the war against terror.

“Because we are in a political season, quite a number of persons try to play politics with terrorism and insurgency.

“The President has called on all professional politicians that this challenge requires the cooperation of all Nigerians, it requires a bi-partisan approach because terrorism poses a threat to our sovereignty as a country.”