At the opening mass for the plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Garki on Sunday, President Goodluck Jonathan said the insinuations that he was planning to put in place an Interim National Government instead of ensuring the sanctity of the May 29 handover date amounted to treason. He said the only ING that could be put in place was that of the military which, according to him, will not be accepted by Nigerians and the international community. He said:
“There is no way Goodluck Jonathan, elected by the people with a clear mandate, will go and head an interim government. The only ING anybody can constitute is that of the military which, of course, will not be acceptable. The Economic Community of West African States, the African Union and the United Nations won’t accept it. We will not allow Nigeria to be a pariah state again. Clearly, the insinuations about interim government, to me, amount to treasonable offence.”
Jonathan also described the recent poll delay as a blessing in disguise. He said there would have been a monumental loss during the attack by Boko Haram insurgents on Gombe State on February 14, the day the presidential election would have taken place. The President said:
“Look at what happened in Gombe State on February 14 , if the elections had been held, the casualty figure would have been higher. It is better for us to conduct elections that will not be contested; elections that are credible, free and fair. We believe no criminal element can come and prevent us from conducting our elections. I will not do anything that would jeopardise the interest of this nation because of personal interest. When I listen to how some of us (politicians) talk… but God is supreme. This nation will survive.”
Jonathan used the opportunity to again thank Christians and indeed all Nigerians, for their prayers which he said, had sustained the country despite its security challenge. Giving assurance that the country would overcome its challenges, Jonathan condemned utterances that overheat the polity.
The President again assured all stakeholders in the political process that the general elections would hold on the rescheduled dates of March 28 and April 11 and the winners inaugurated on May 29.