President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday ordered the immediate removal of the #BringBackJonathan2015 signs being used by his supporters for his second term bid.
The directive contained in a statement by the presidential spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati, followed worldwide condemnation, with the United States of America’s influential newspaper, Washington Post, describing the use of the slogan as “galling.”
Abati, in his statement, said the signs were being used without President Jonathan’s knowledge or approval.
He said the President had therefore ordered that the “offensive and repugnant” signs and campaign banners bearing the slogan be immediately brought down.
“President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has directed that the #BringBackJonathan 2015 signs and banners around Abuja which he and many Nigerians find offensive and repugnant be brought down immediately.
“President Jonathan wholly shares the widely expressed view that the signs which were put up without his knowledge or approval are a highly insensitive parody of the #BringBackOurGirls hash tag.
“While President Jonathan appreciates the enthusiastic show of support for his administration by a broad range of stakeholders, he condemns the #BringBackJonathan2015 signs which appear to make light of the very serious national and global concern for the abducted Chibok girls.
