APC ‘trying to stampede Jonathan’ out of office

Rufai Alkali, special adviser to the president on political affairs, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to stampede President Goodluck Jonathan out of office.

Alkali, who was reacting to the allegation of some governors of the APC that Jonathan had almost emptied the treasury of the country, described the report as “untrue”.

He said Jonathan was committed to the development of the country and has been trying to ensure a smooth transition as against the APC, which has not been cooperating.

“Nigerians will recall that shortly after the results of the Presidential elections were announced, President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated a high powered transition committee to plan and organize a hitch free transition programme for the inauguration of the incoming administration,” he said.

“Surprisingly, it took the APC more than three weeks to wake up to its responsibility to constitute its own transition committee. How then can they turn round to accuse the government of frustrating the transition programme?

“Since the setting up of the committee, the president and the entire machinery of the federal government have been put on the transition mode and all government officers have been giving maximum cooperation to the incoming transition committee.

“The machinery of government cannot be put on hold or frozen because of the country is in transition.

“With the sudden and unexpected concession of victory to them, it appears that the APC is beginning to face the full reality of managing the great challenges of a complex nation.

“Their recent, frequent and unnecessary attacks on the president clearly shows that they are losing their nerves and are beginning to lay foundation to justify their failures in the near future and we want to remind them that Nigerians are not ready to accept any excuses for their failure. They promised to bring change so they must bring positive change to the well being of Nigerians and urgently too.”