Reuben Abati, former presidential spokesman, says former President Goodluck Jonathan is under pressure from local and international media to grant interviews.
In a syndicated opinion published on Sunday, Abati did not disclose the areas of interest of the journalists but said Jonathan was not ready to talk now.
Since he left power on May 29 after losing the March 28 presidential election, Jonathan has hardly made any public comments apart from asking Nigerians to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari over the Boko Haram attacks in a post on facebook.
Abati wrote: “[There are requests from] those who want interviews with President Jonathan, both local and international – they want his reaction on every development, so many of them from every part of the planet. But he is resting and he has asked me to say he is not ready yet to say anything.”
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Some of the issues that have been in the public sphere since Jonathan’s exit are the debt overhang, which is estimated in N7 trillion by the Joda committee, alleged oil theft by ministers estimated at one million barrels per day by Buhari, and unauthorised withdrawals from the excess crude account which Adams Oshiomhole, governor of Edo state, said were used to fund Jonathan’s campaign.
Many of the appointments made by Jonathan have also been upturned by Buhari.
However, Boko Haram has re-launched attacks and killed about 500 persons since Jonathan’s exit, a development that might have drawn the attention of the international media.
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Buhari also recently went to the US and openly complained that the American government refusal to sell arms to Nigeria because of reported human rights abuses was affecting the war against Boko Haram — a position that Jonathan would feel has justified his own claims all along.
Abati also recounted his own days in government and the pressures he came under from the public, sharply contrasted with the situation since Jonathan lost the election.
28 comments
Abati should pls tell pres. Jonathan that the 25 million unemplyed graduates and youths Buhari promised to pay 5k per month begining from June are yet to recieve their pay o.
Also when he left office Dollar was 218 now it’s 246.
Pls dr Abati tell your boss that Boko Haram have started taking territories again begining with 5 LGAS and that Tinubu have led Yoruba land into One Chance Bus o.
Those are some of the things that will determine whether he should talk now or hold his peace.
Please tell Salam the above commentator that his voice sounds like PDP and his writings exactly like Abati.
What we are witnessing now is integrity, which Jonathan’s government lacked.
He should remain silence for ever.
They should leave gej alone. Electricity has improved tremendously and surely not by buhari govt. Train from kano to pH now. What we have in two months of pmb is death every where by book haram which pmb promised to end in two months but nothing has happened. Dollar is 244 to the naira and governor of CBN is busy justifying o level economic theories.
Electricity improves during every rainy season. Stop talking out of ignorance, because, soon the rains will go and Buhari’s “achievement” in the electricity sector will vanish with it. You should be asking how many megawatts have been added to the power sector and not the fantasy you are peddling about a non-existent “achievement”. I wonder when it will dawn on you all that that your Buhari failed even before he started?
Sharp eye, except you are saying now that rain did not fall for six years of jonathan’s reign in the office that is why there is no light. What nigeria lack in jonathan is good leadership by example.
Also,EFCC started working now for the past 2mths.EFCC has been on half sleep mode for the past six years remember.
I will start to criticise buhari after six month if things are not improving.
Key b dey will blame d increased spate of killings by BH on GEJ
Yes Abati should please tell Jonathan to hold on for more are coming out to talk about. Fuel is #100 per litre,road are getting worse, undergraduates have not received the free food, we are about to sign gay Into law, we are still searching for ministers that will not steal, bokoharam has touched chief of staff’s house in Borno, go slow in CHANGE realisation. So let us wait and see. God dey
GEJ, since you left it has been hell. Since buhari took over boko haram has killed over 1000 people. Please GEJ we want you back. Buhari is just a total failure
Female chicken lay 20eggs , hatched all the 20 , them say hin no do well, female chicken lay 30 eggs and hatched 30 , them say hi do bad , they sell chicken con buy guineafowl, who lay 6 eggs and hatched only 1 chic , we go know ssy “kijipa nor be awo “
He who said he na he! Sooooooooo…… It’s true that”the devil you know is better than the angle you don’t know! Everything thing jaga…jaga. All I have to say, I’m still counting days…..till hundred days!
In action of president buhari gives impression that he wants to take us back to military days,in 21st century Nigeria government is been run by permsec.may God help Nigeria.
Salami,it’s very insultive to joined Tinubu in this matter, without Tinubu Jonathan can never become, president in second term, without Tinubu this new government will not be.If not Obasanjo Jonathan did not suppose to head more than local government, not to talk of Nigeria, only Obasanjo can do that somebody from minority state of eight local government to becomes Nigerian president it’s can’t happened again, that is why Yoruba become is enemy after they lead the protest against Yaradu who is not willing to hand over to him during his sickness.
O BOY…. THIS YOUR ENGLISH NA KILLIMI…… Take am easy!
Infact, am afraid, Bola has lost it. Bola’s strong defence of Tinubu is unparalleled, may this is the “Bola Tinubu” himself, the landlord of Lagos!
I know BM regime will be like this, Jonathan pls keep looking, cos silence is the best answer giving to fools
Your comment..hey you guys sud be patient for once and pray for d goodness of d country Gej was there he did his best let’s see what d present one has for us aswell God bless naija.
I think the former President Good luck Jonathan’s decision not to make press statement is synonymous with the action of patriots around the world. The people of Nigeria are beginning to see for themselves the lies’ deceptions and inconsistencies of theAPC administration hence the silence of PGEJ is wise before the already failing government of Buhari begins to accuse him of distraction and reasons for his calling APC, ANPC and saying that Chibok girls were abducted in their hotels and for not treating Nigerians unequal for political reasons
thank goodness my Yoruba brothers are coming back to their senses, they no longer praise baby go slow like b4
Haba Igbo boys, be civilised for once and recognise the significant progress made so far owing principally to PMB’ personality and integrity. I call you guys Igbo boys because I know not many matured and civilised Igbo people would come on social media to rain insult on the President and C-in-C. Let’s bury the hatchet and join hands with Mr President, who I believe is on the right track. He is building a culture of efficiency and accountability….which can be noticed by only sound-minded people. Please, let’s not tribalise this dispensation, its for us all. God bless Nigeria.
hmmm…., these complains and comparisons are not necessary now. We can only pray for our leaders, let’s not forget what God did for this country during d last presidential election, it just couldn’t have been anyone else leaving that office, but Jonathan. God has chosen, I believe He (God) will be in the leading too. God bless naija.
Your comment..The two government can not be compare at this moment ,but the new man should endeavour to appropriates ‘the national cake’ base on equity and fairnes .The president should wake up to the task and GOOD LUCK EBELE G ,BE SILENT.
@Doubting Thomos
I just feel the need to help you out with your contribution. I perceive that you may have totally forgotten, probably because you left school a veeeery long time ago like myself, a “female chicken” is called “H-E-N”, HEN, ka ji ko? Just like a female human is called WOMAN. Na gode.
Happy better contribution in the future.
Sho’gba e
Where are my fellow yorubas who voted Buhari? I have not seen any change ooo! Boko haram is still killing Nigerians. May God help us.
Those who celebrate Good luck Ebele Jonathan will do well to compile ALL his interview sessions where he spoke extempore and answered questions so we can xray his thoughts on Nigeria. I wager it will become crystal clear he was a clueless Head of State who got so dumfounded by The Office – he stood by for six years wondering what was happening around him – simply because he had no idea! Thank God we were rid of him!
Most times when i read clueless comments from Nigerians about PMB & GEJ i wonder if they actually stayed or lived in this country called NIGERIA, you are comparing 6years of GEJ with 3months of PMB its absolutely insane and mentally imbalance. Keep quiet and after 4years then you can do your comparison not because internet is now 1kobo per mgb then you can start typing rubbish to prove nonsense, without minister one of the refinery as started working,
No refinery can be fixed in 6 months how much more 3 months. Any infrastructure that is working now was already work in progress under the immediate past govt. please give credit to whom credits is due
Thank you Soji for that comment of yours. I warnder why some Nigerians talk with out reasoning . How can any right thinking person start compering GEJ’s miserable 6years with PMB who is barely 2 Months in office. Even at that , at least we have a credible and visionary president that is recognized world wide .
u can compire APC AND PDP at tis point why because electricity inprove,state and federal wokers salary are now paid, loted money back our coutry and many more.