Abuja —Following a
diplomatic row between
Nigeria and Morocco over
whether there was any
telephone conversation by
the leaders of the two
countries, the Federal
Government insisted
yesterday that President
Goodluck Jonathan spoke on
the telephone with his
Moroccan counterpart, King
Mohammed V1.
Nigerian government stated
that the discussion however
centred on the forthcoming
election of the African
Development Bank, AfDB, for
which the country is lobbying
for one of its ministers as
president of the bank.
Moroccan royal palace which
recalled its ambassador to
Nigeria last Wednesday had
said last week that the
Moroccan king declined a
request for a telephone
conversation with the Nigeria
president accusing the
Federal Government of trying
to use the king of Morocco to
win over Muslim voters ahead
of the general elections in
Nigeria.
Moroccan foreign ministry,
had in a statement said
“Morocco confirms, in the
clearest and strongest terms,
that there has never been a
phone conversation between
King Mohammed VI and the
president of Nigeria”.
However, senior officials of
the Foreign Affairs Ministry
who spoke to Vanguard on
the condition of anonymity
said that Jonathan lobbied
for the country’s candidate in
the election and did not
discuss anything about
Nigeria’s forthcoming general
elections as they had nothing
to do with Morocco.
According to Nigerian foreign
affairs officials, ‘’there was a
discussion last Friday
between the two Presidents
on the next president of the
AfDB. President Jonathan
lobbied the Morocco
president to support Nigeria
candidate over the election
coming up in May. Nigeria is
suspecting mischief. We are
thinking that there was
misinformation somewhere.
‘’The policy is that when your
Ambassador misinforms his
president, that Ambassador
will be recalled to his country.
It is wrong for Morocco not to
support our candidature.
That discussion has nothing
to do with the general
election in Nigeria but AfDB
election. Our own election is
a domestic issue,’’ the
officials said, hinting that a
formal statement would be
issued on the matter today
by the ministry.
Also, reacting to the issue, a
former Nigerian Ambassador
to Brazil, Poland, Sudan, Cote
D’ voire, Angola, the United
States of America, USA,
Austria and Pakistan, among
others, Suleiman Dahiru said
that ‘’there’s more than meets
the eye’’ over the issue.
“There is something fishy,
because if there is any one to
talk to in the Arab world on
election, it should be the
president of Saudi Arabia and
not the king of Morocco. In
diplomatic relations, it is a
very serious issue to recall an
Ambassador.
Besides, Morocco is not a
serious AU member. It sees
itself as an Arab country but
still in Africa. If Nigeria is
seeking influence in the Arab
world, Morocco is certainly,
not the place to go but Saudi
Arabia.
In any case, Nigeria will not
lose anything by the country
recalling its Ambassador.
They will be the one to lose,’’
Dahiru said.
Come clean, APC tells
Jonathan
Meanwhile, The All
Progressives Congress (APC)
has asked the Jonathan
Administration to come clean
with Nigerians on the cause
of the ongoing diplomatic row
between Nigeria and Morocco
that has forced the Kingdom
to recall its Ambassador to
Nigeria, while portraying
Nigeria as a liar.
In a statement issued in
Lagos on Thursday by its
National Publicity Secretary,
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the
party said President Jonathan
must in particular clarify the
thorny issue of whether or
not he spoke with King
Mohammed VI of Morocco.
‘’According to published
reports, the Nigerian Foreign
Affairs Ministry had said
President Jonathan spoke on
the telephone with the
Moroccan King. But the
Kingdom, in a very scathing
statement, said no such
conversation took place.
‘’The statement said ‘Morocco
is surprised at the incredible
twist given by Nigeria to an
alleged phone conversation
that never took place between
HM King Mohammed VI and
Nigerian President’.
‘’This is very serious because,
in effect, Morocco has called
Nigeria a liar. Therefore, it
behoves President Jonathan
to personally intervene to
address such an international
embarrassment.
‘’The questions seeking
answers are: Did President
Jonathan speak with the
Moroccan King? If not, who is
responsible for this egregious
misrepresentation that has
embarrassed a whole country
and its leader?’’ it queried.
APC said Nigeria, because of
its much-acclaimed
leadership role in Africa, must
not allow such a diplomatic
faux pas to go without being
addressed, saying other
countries are keenly watching
the row between Nigeria and
Morocco.
‘’Before anyone accuses us of
politicising this issue, we
make bold to say that we, the
APC, and indeed all Nigerians
are stakeholders in the
Nigeria project. When
Morocco branded Nigeria a
liar, over whether or not our
President spoke with the
North African nation’s King, it
did not mention PDP or APC.
It made a collective reference
to Nigeria.
‘’This is why we feel strongly
that this issue must be
addressed urgently. Until
then, all Nigerians,
irrespective of their political
leanings, will remain liars in
the eyes of the international
community,’’ the party said.
source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/03/jonathan-spoke-with-moroccan-king-on-phone-fg-insists/#sthash.CtBtQZQz.dpuf

Hmmm...and the King himself denied it?

Give strong drink to Mallam Buhari that is perishing and wine to APC members that are bitter at hearts.
Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
Proverbs 31 vs 6:7.
In GEJ we trust.

When lying don grow horn, there's no remedy.

why cant this jonathan just accept the wish of the people without causing problem for himself at last? He has been embarrassing himself and muddling the name of the country. I think the man needs to be cautioned before he will end up worst like Gbagbo. The whole world is by every minutes watching him with all sots of dishonest manners. This is sad for him and him alone!!!

Sai BUHARI

Slynonny:
Give strong drink to Mallam Buhari that is perishing and wine to APC members that are bitter at hearts.
Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
Proverbs 31 vs 6:7.
In GEJ we trust.

For ur groundnut mind abi






keep calm and vote Buhari
#I_Have_Decided
GMB 2015

Demdem:
Jonah-daft is so shameless. The king doesnt want to associate with a curse like u. na by force?

this man here has been compromised, pls be careful wen dealing with him "paid to post"

GEJ has been scammed again. He should find out if FFK or any of the liars at the presidency was at the other end of the call pretending to be the king.

Good bye GMB I have made up my mind to follow GEJ till 2019.choi

Orijin101:

For ur groundnut mind abi






keep calm and vote Buhari
#I_Have_Decided
GMB 2015

Who cares what Morocco thinks about Nigeria?

Abeg let's discuss beta foreign relations with beta countries.

Nigeria is a MINT country; who sabi Morocco?

Maybe Jonathan should refer him to the Sultan of Sokoto so that they can adequately discuss Islamic affairs.

Lubbish!

vanilson:
why cant this jonathan just accept the wish of the people without causing problem for himself at last? He has been embarrassing himself and muddling the name of the country. I think the man needs to be cautioned before he will end up worst like Gbagbo. The whole world is by every minutes watching him with all sots of dishonest manners. This is sad for him and him alone!!!
Sai BUHARI

The wish of the people? No, we won't accept the witch of APC with their brooms.
GEJ must continue whether una like am or not.

sexyfatima:
Good bye GMB I have made up my mind to follow GEJ till 2019.choi

Last time i gave a fvck was when i was with Mary..... Right now, i don't give a dime!!!!
Get off my mention pls

Demdem:
Jonah-daft is so shameless. The king doesnt want to associate with a curse like u. na by force?

why do u choose to allow urself to be used by some politicians?