The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, has said that contrary opinions of the opposition parties, President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has been the most tolerant of opposition in this democratic dispensation.
Abati while reacting to the statement by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress accusing Jonathan’s administration of being intolerant of opposition, said that in contrary, Jonathan administration remained committed to democracy and its principles irrespective of what the opposition party might want people to believe.
According to him, President Jonathan has demonstrated repeatedly as far as elections are concerned, his committment to free and fair elections and the integrity of the process.
Elucidating on the Saturday’s Ekiti State elections, Abati said Jonathan remained steadfast on his concept of one man, one vote.
He added that security agencies have a duty to stop those who may want to compromise the process from achieving their aim.
He advised the APC to rather than crying wolf where there is none, to embark on soul searching.
“It is absolutely wrong to accuse this administration of repression. 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.
“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 said.
