A national embarrassment as President Jonathan denies speaking with the Moroccan king

President Goodluck Jonathan

Recently I made a post on the president speaking with the Moroccan king regarding the issue of mutual interests and concerns. This news generated a lot of headlines when the Moroccan authority denied any conversation between the president of Nigeria  and the monarch. In fact, the authority didn't stop there but went further to claim that the administration of Goodluck Jonathan was trying to use the king for electioneering. It also took a another step to withdraw its ambassador to Nigeria.

However, that was the side of the Moroccan authority and the president of the federal republic of Nigeria have also made it known yesterday through his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr Reuben Abati that he had not in any time engaged the Moroccan king in a telephone conversation as claimed by the ministry of foreign affairs. This misinformation by the ministry of foreign affairs have caused a diplomatic row between Nigeria and Morocco.

Dr Reuben Abati also made it known that the president had asked the ministry to arrange a telephone conversation between him and the King of Morocco, the President of Algeria and the President of Egypt, however, he has only spoken with the prime minister of Algeria and yet to speak with the rest. Abati further said that the president had directed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, to carry out a full investigation aimed at identifying those behind the statement that he spoke with the King and the reasons behind such actions that have resulted in an unnecessary diplomatic row with another country.

In my opinion, I think the culprit should be brought to book. Even if someone does not like the president or his administration, going to this extent is just going too far. This is a national embarrassment for all of us. Whether ruling party or opposition party, we are all Nigerians!