TheCable

Reuben Abati, presidential spokesman, says President Goodluck Jonathan is “shocked, surprised and highly embarrassed” by the controversy over whether or not he had a telephone conversation with King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

He expressed regrets over the “furore” generated by the development, which is becoming a diplomatic row.

Morocco had recalled its ambassador to Nigeria over the incident, denying Mohammed VI ever had any telephone chat with Jonathan.

Abati said the president never told anybody that he had a conversation with the king, despite a statement issued by the ministry of foreign affairs last weekend that Jonathan did.

The controversy took a political dimension because Jonathan reportedly asked the king to help work with Nigerian Muslims to support him in the presidential election.

In a statement issued on Friday, Abati said: “It is true that President Jonathan has been speaking with some African leaders to seek their support for Nigeria’s candidate for the position of President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

“In continuation of his efforts in support of the candidacy of the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina for headship of the AfDB, President Jonathan indicated that he would like to speak with the King of Morocco, the President of Algeria and the President of Egypt.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was consequently directed to make necessary contacts with the embassies of the three countries and arrange for President Jonathan to speak with their leaders.

“Since that directive was given, President Jonathan has spoken with the Prime Minister of Algeria and subsequently sent Vice President Namadi Sambo to Algiers as Special Envoy to follow-up on his discussions with the Algerian Prime Minister on support for Nigeria’s candidate in the coming elections for the AfDB Presidency.

“The President has, however, not yet spoken with King Mohammed VI and President Al-Sisi of Egypt as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must know.

“President Jonathan has therefore ordered the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali to urgently undertake a full investigation of the claim which emanated from the Ministry that the President spoke with King Mohammed VI.

“The investigation is to identify all those who were responsible for the unacceptable act of official misinformation which has resulted in an unnecessary diplomatic row with another country and national embarrassment.

“It is also expected to unveil the motives of the culprits.

“President Jonathan has also ordered that prompt and commensurate disciplinary action be taken against the culpable  person or persons.

“While awaiting the outcome of the investigations, President Jonathan urges Nigerians to disregard the vituperations of opposition elements, who have, true to type, latched on to the regrettable faux pas as a fresh opportunity to unpatriotically  denigrate the government of their country and advance their irresponsible quest for victory at any price in the coming elections.”