‘President should apologize for Morocco controversy’, APC says

The All Progressives Congress has asked President Goodluck J‎onathan to apologize to Nigerians over the current diplomatic row with Morocco.

Morocco has however repeatedly denied the reports saying that the two leaders never spoke.

The APC made the demand via a statement released on Friday, March 13. It reads:

“In our earlier statement on the issue, we gave President Jonathan the benefit of the doubt by asking him to clarify what happened, just as the Moroccan King has done,” the party said in a statement issued in Lagos on Friday by its spokesperson Lai Mohammed.”

“Instead, a loquacious spokesman for the President decided to abuse us instead of addressing the issues. That tells us that, indeed, these people have something to hide over the phoney phone conversation.”

“Whereas Morocco was unequivocal in denying that its King had any phone conversation with President Jonathan, saying ‘Morocco is surprised at the incredible twist given by Nigeria to an alleged phone conversation that never took place between HM King Mohammed VI and Nigerian President’, the Nigerian presidency has been less forthcoming, instead opting to engage in shadow-chasing.”

“Because of this unnecessary controversy over a phone discussion, Nigerians have now been branded liars. This is very serious, considering Nigeria’s standing in Africa. We therefore expect that any serious administration would not have hesitated to come clean on what really transpired, instead of dissipating its energy on abuses.”

“It is now clear that the legendary cluelessness and incompetence of the Jonathan Administration did not end with the mess they have made of running the country, but also extends to their ineptitude in international diplomacy,” it said. “Nigerians who are tired of this do-nothing administration have been handed another reason to vote it out on March 28th.”

The APC had earlier called on the President to clarify the issue and save Nigeria’s reputation.