The Presidency yesterday debunked an online report that he is in New York with 600-man delegation from Nigeria.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the president said the report was untrue and misleading.
“We have noted with regret the continuation today by saharareporters.com of its usual scurrilous and baseless attacks on the Jonathan administration with publication of a false claim that the president is leading a 600-man delegation to the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
“While we trust that discerning members of the public who are already very familiar with Sahara Reporters’ usual fare of mischief, outright falsehood and erroneous speculation will rightly dismiss this latest claim as a fresh manifestation of the online medium’s ill-will towards President Jonathan and his administration, we wish to affirm for the benefit of the unwary that there is absolutely no truth in the allegation that the president took a 600-man delegation to New York.
“There is also no substance to the rehashed charge of profligacy which Sahara reporters annually makes against the president when he leads Nigeria’s delegation to the UN General Assembly.
“The truth is that less than 30 persons arrived in New York with the president this morning as members of his entourage. Other than them, the only other persons who are in New York for the UN General Assembly with the president’s knowledge and approval are relevant ministers and a few essential aides.
“President Jonathan’s official delegation is definitely not out of proportion with Nigeria’s size, role and relevance in Africa and the global community.
“Sahara Reporters’ claim that the president’s delegation is the largest at this year’s General Assembly is an unjustifiable fabrication which can never stand any rigorous test of truthfulness.
“We are certainly aware that many Nigerian citizens are currently on visits to New York. These persons are here for their own purposes and neither President Jonathan nor his administration has any responsibility for the presence of these persons in New York.
“We will not be surprised if it is such persons who include Nigerian businessmen who are here for an African Business Roundtable event, members of non-governmental organisations and tourists that Sahara Reporters has been counting, for the sole purpose of mischief-making, as ‘members of the Nigerian delegation’,” the statement read.
*Sahara reporters i dey salute oh!.
ReplyDeleteI didn't believe the "600 man" story.
Nigerians have become so used to nonsense they will believe anything!
600 ke? To do what na? How does that aid embezzling of public funds?
So y didn't Reuben Abati tell us the exact number they went with? It would have the report more authentic
ReplyDeleteSo y didn't Reuben Abati tell us the exact number they went with? It would have the report more authentic
ReplyDeleteI disbelieve Dr Reuben Abati.
ReplyDeleteNigerian Business man?
Members of non govt. organization?
Tourist?
Why are you so knowledgeable about this people and the event ( African Roundtable ) they will be attending?
When one of Nigeria's oil parastal came to Houston, TX. They were like 200 of them. With thier wives and kids included.
So spare me that lie that 600 people did not come with the president.
Gold iPhone from Dubai = Denial
600 members Delegation = Denial
I beg Dr Abati, use this opportunity to ask your boss about ASUU why he is taking a bubble bath .
*while*
ReplyDeleteSo why didn't he address the question of how much money is being spent on accommodation? And can he please provide us with both the official and unofficial attendees so that he can shame Sahara Reporters.
ReplyDeleteDis sahara reporters are really against Jonathan administration and christian leaders.
ReplyDeleteOne day One day,we will all know the faces behind dis sahara reporters
ReplyDeleteAnything wey dem like make dem do or talk, jona is dat man come 2015!
ReplyDeleteStella u too becareful how u conclude on issues without proofs.
One question.... How credible is Reuben Abati? See kettle calling pot black. Smh..... Sahara reporters are not far from the truth. May God help dis Reubofoon when gej is no longer in power.
ReplyDeleteOf course it's untrue... Sahara Reporters is a stupid news agency(?)
ReplyDeleteStella, I can't believe u fell for that crap.
Look, Ogbeni Abati, nobody will ever believe you! I can reel out different incidences that you stated the contrary when ever the govt is being accused of wrong doings. For instance ,when Mama jojo was sick you vehemently denied it and said she went on VACATION but when the woman returned she had a thanksgiving party where she claimed she had died 7 times.
ReplyDeletePls Mr Reuben Abati , NIGERIANS are not fools. You r there today, 2moro who knows, u could be booted out so pls spare us .........
Of course it has to be a lie!*rme
ReplyDeleteDo they ever own up to anything?
Goodluck if u like send 5thousand delegates I Love you regardless, may all your enemies like those hating in d comments before me never c the break of day on d day of ur re election!
ReplyDeleteSahara reporters always reporting bullshit!
ReplyDeletePeople are sooo gullible...
ReplyDeleteSo because Abati has come up with looong story then the report is a lie abi?
Why did michele Obama openly snub peshe at the same un gathering that happened 3 yrs ago.
Mind you each governor has his long list of entourage, each governors wife had her own list, then peshe and jona have their own seperate lists plus other executives that also have their own lists.
Every one on each list is entitled to esta code. Meanwhile all feeding and hotel plus other arrangement are also provided.
My people shine ur eyes bikonu. The list maybe more than 600.
It's soooo annoying that Abati speaks from his anus ALL the time and people are swallowing hook, line and sinker..
Abeg "shine ur eye no be curse" oo
Snub which patience.Fake news.
DeleteMaybe Sahara report was talking about the Nigerians resident in US who are invited to meet Jonathan in New York to brainstorm with the govt on the way forward. I think media should verify what they write to avoid misleading the public.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe anything that comes out of Abati's mouth again, since he sold himself out!
ReplyDeleteSimplicity is what is needed for clearification, which abati failed to give, maybe the number is clasified.
ReplyDelete