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President Goodluck Jonathan hosted a media chat at the presidential villa Wednesday evening with Adesuwa Oyenekwe, Ibrahim T., Deji Bademosi, Ibanga Isine as panelists. He used the opportunity of the chat to address pressing national issues among which was the issue of election postponement.
He said he was not bothered about the shift and was never part of the decision nor part of the pressure put on the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega.
He however assured that elections would hold and whatever happened, a government would be sworn in on May 29. He added that: “I’ve said that severally (that May 29th is sacrosanct)”
“If the elections are conducted and I lose of course we will inaugurate a new govt”
Speaking on the threats of violence by ex-Niger-Delta militants, President Jonathan said the threats were just a reflection of the characters of the persons involved. He said the threats of violence were coming from all sides “but we shall ensure that nobody goes to war. We must protect this country.”
He explained further that most inflamatory and jaundiced views and sentiments expressed by many Nigerians, including well learned persons, members of the elite, academic and political class, were coming the positions of ignorance.
President Jonathan also denied plans to remove Jega, saying that he had never told Jega that he had lost confidence in him, adding that he however reserves the constitutional right to appoint and remove.
On several other issues, the quotes below, organised in no particular order and said independednt of each other, were extracted from the chat with the president:
“I’ve said that severally (that May 29th is sacrosanct)”
“If the elections are conducted and I lose of course we will inaugurate a new govt”
“It’s not actually my quotation. I quoted the Chief Justice of Nigeria”-President Jonathan
“The word corruption we have abused it and it’s not making so much sense. I did not say stealing is not corruption”
“A thief is a thief. Don’t use the word corruption to cover stealing. Call the person a thief”
“A thief should be called a thief. Ole should be called ole! If you say somebody is corrupt people don’t know what you mean”
“I don’t see why we continue to doubt that elections will hold. Elections will hold!”
“Nobody is saying Boko Haram must be wiped out completely before they conduct elections”
“INEC is an independent body but if INEC does not conduct the elections well it is on my head”
“Let me reassure Nigerians that elections will be conducted in this country and a govt will be inaugurated on May 29th”