Jonathan Has Been Most Tolerant Of Opposition – Presidency Reacts To Allegation Of Repression

Reuben AbatiThe Presidency on Friday accused the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) of crying wolf where there is none.

The Presidency was reacting to allegations of repression against it by the national chairman of APC, Chief John Oyegun, over today’s gubernatorial election in Ekiti State.

Mr. Oyegun had at a world press conference in Abuja yesterday accused the federal government of using security agencies to frustrate its activities including barring its governors from entering Ekiti to campaign for Governor Kayode Fayemi on Thursday.

The APC chairman was quoted as saying: “We urge President Goodluck Jonathan to live up to his pledge, made several times over, that he would always ensure that elections held under his watch are free and fair, and that his ambition is not worth the life of any Nigerian”.

He added: “The President should call his dogs of war to order before they precipitate a serious crisis in Ekiti”.

In a statement, the Presidency, through the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, said it was absolutely wrong to accuse the present administration of repression.

“If anything, this administration has been most tolerant of opposition and most respectful of everybody’s right of association. This accusation cannot stand at all…Rather than cry wolf where there is none, it is the APC and its leaders that should embark on soul searching,” he said.

Abati stated that the Jonathan administration remains committed to democracy and its principles.

“Where elections are concerned, it’s a matter of public record that President Jonathan is committed to free and fair elections and the integrity of elections…At the same time, the security agencies have an obligation to ensure that people who, with their choices, would rather compromise the integrity of the process are not allowed to do so”, the statement added.