President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday ordered the minister of foreign affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali to conduct a full scale investigation to unravel the source of media report alleging that he had a telephone conversation with King Mohammed VI of Morocco.
Jonathan, who denied ever talking with the Moroccan Monarch said he was shocked, surprised and highly embarrassed by the controversy that erupted over whether or not he had a telephone conversation with King Mohammed VI.
The president, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said the minister must fish out those responsible for such misinformation in the foreign affairs ministry which had not only embarrassed the country but also led to diplomatic row with another country.
Stressing that the motives behind the culprits must be unveiled, he also ordered that disciplinary action should be taken against them.
Briefing journalists in Aso Rock on Friday, Abati said, “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.”
Abati said the “regrettable furore that has developed over the matter is due entirely to misinformation as President Jonathan has neither spoken with King Mohammed or told anybody that he had a telephone conversation with the Moroccan Monarch.”
He , however, admitted that President Jonathan had 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).
Clarifying on the extent the president has gone so far, Abati said, “In continuation of his efforts in support of the candidacy of the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. 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 President.”
Maintaining that Jonathan did not speak with the Moroccan Monarch, the presidential spokesman said, “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.
“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.”