Presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati has said contrary to claims by the All Progressives Congress that President Jonathan has abdicated his responsibility, he was infact calling for unity in the struggle against terrorism facing Nigeria.
Reuben Abati made the statement in Abuja yesterday whilst speaking with newsmen. Abati was clarifying a statement made by the President which seems to have deliberately been taken out of context by the opposition.
Jonathan had said in a speech delivered by FCT Minister of State, Jumoke Akinjide, to Bringbackourgrils campaigners in Abuja last week, that their patriotic zeal should be directed at terrorists.
Abati explained, “If you look at the statement by Lai Muhammed, he is accusing the government of abdicating its responsibilities. President Jonathan has never at any time abdicated responsibilities.
“He has consistently made it clear that the safety of every Nigerian is important to him, that the security of lives and property is central to all the goals and objectives of this administration.
“He has made it clear that he as President acknowledges the fact that the primary duty of government is to secure the lives and property of all Nigerians and all persons who live within the geographical domain.
“In his statement to the BringBackOurGirls campaigners in Abuja, he said that they should be united against terrorism and Boko Haram. That was his message. He was not abdicating responsibility.
“He was not saying they should not talk about government responsibility and talk only about Boko Haram. The President was calling for unity. He was calling for a proper focusing and targeting of the meaning of protest in this context.
“He was saying in the speech delivered by Jumoke Akinjide that it is our country that is under siege. We are faced with a group of internal and external enemies who go under the names of insurgents and terrorists to attempt to compromise the integrity of Nigeria.”