Jonathan not booed in South Africa –Presidency

President Goodluck Jonathan

The Presidency has denied media reports that President Goodluck Jonathan was booed in Pretoria, South Africa, during the inauguration of President Jacob Zuma for a second term in office.

Reports had indicated that Jonathan was booed for his perceived mishandling of the case of the over 200 schoolgirls abducted from the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

The media reports had claimed that the crowd at the inauguration registered their disapproval of Jonathan government’s inability to rescue the girls with boos of “Bring back our girls” directed at the President as he stepped into the venue of the swearing-in.

The schoolgirls had been abducted by members of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, since April 14.

But briefing State House correspondents late on Saturday on arrival from South Africa, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, described the reports as untrue.

Abati said the reports fitted into an ongoing desire to throw just anything at the present administration in an attempt to discredit it.

He said, “It is unfortunate that on our arrival, I read one or two reports alleging that the President was jeered at the inauguration ceremony.

“This is absolutely untrue and those who are peddling that kind of misinformation are being unfair; they are being uncharitable and it fits into an ongoing attempt to throw just about anything at this administration in attempt to discredit it.

“If anything, what we saw and witnessed in South Africa is that the people of South Africa showed much appreciation of President Jonathan’s presence at the inauguration ceremony and President Jonathan received great hospitality in terms of the response from the people.

“The whole world recognises that the challenge that we face in Nigeria at the moment in relation to the abduction of the girls and the challenge of terrorism; yes, the outrage is shared both by Nigerians and other people all over the world but the world also realises that terrorism is a global challenge and this administration continues to show a great resolve to deal with the problem.

“The momentum is on and you know the message from government is that, government is saying categorically, ‘No to Boko Haram’, ‘No to terrorism’ and the people of Nigeria are calling on the terrorists to release the girls.

“Government is saying that it will do everything within its power, explore all options, and leave no stone unturned to ensure that our girls are brought back.”

Abati noted that Nigeria and South Africa had been two friendly and brotherly countries with strong bilateral relations in many areas, including trade and investments, diplomacy, immigration, customs, security and power, among others.

He recalled that the relationship between both countries had grown stronger and had also been helped by the personal good relationship between both Jonathan and Zuma in the last three years.

Meanwhile, Abati said his principal, during the visit to South Africa, met with the heads of government from South Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, Congo, Kenya, Uganda and Cote’D’Ivoire on the issue of terrorism in the continent.

He said the heads of government discussed modalities for setting a stronger framework for cooperation and partnership amongst African states to deal with the menace.