Ekiti 2014: APC crying wolf – Presidency

Mr. Jonathan’s spokesperson, Reuben Abati, in a statement on Thursday said the allegation by the APC National Chairman, John Oyegun, was inaccurate.

The Presidency on Friday said it was not true that the Goodluck Jonathan administration was repressing the opposition in the build-up to the Ekiti governorship election.

Mr. Jonathan’s spokesperson, Reuben Abati, in a statement on Thursday said the allegation by the APC National Chairman, John Oyegun, was like crying “wolf where there is none.”

“It is absolutely wrong to accuse this administration of repression,” Mr. Abati said. “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.”

Mr. Oyegun and the APC had earlier 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.

“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,” Mr. Oyegun said. “The President should call his dogs of war to order before their precipitate a serious crisis in Ekiti,” he added.

Mr. Abati, however, said “the Jonathan administration remains committed to democracy and its principles.”

“Where elections are concerned, it is a matter of public record that President Jonathan is committed to free and fair elections and the integrity of elections. This is in fact one of the major areas of achievements of his administration.

“In Ekiti election and any other election at all, the government is committed to one man, one vote; one woman, one vote; and one youth, one vote which is President Jonathan’s concept.

“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.

“Rather than cry wolf where there is none, it is the APC and its leaders that should embark on soul searching,” he added.