Right of Reply: Re: Yar’ adua’s Sickness Jonathan under Pressure to Resign

We have read with considerable dismay, the story of The Punch, published today, November 28, with the above headline, and wish to point out straightaway that it is false in its entirety, and designed to create unnecessary panic and tension in the country. This story, we must add, is sheer mischief, and dwells entirely in the imagination of its authors, their sponsors and co travellers.

For the benefit of those who did not read The Punch today, the newspaper in its lead story claimed that as a fall out of President Umaru Musa Yar'adua's slight indisposition, which by the way, has been blown out of all proportion in the media, Vice President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is under pressure to resign. The newspaper failed to state clearly who or what body was bringing this pressure to bear, but went ahead to insult the sensibilities of Nigerians, including the Vice President himself, by suggesting that Dr. Jonathan is to be made to sign an undated letter of resignation... “which can become binding in the event that the president is unable to continue in office”. That this is a wild and quite insulting claim requires no further elaboration. Certainly, the general public can discountenance such drivel.

We urge all well meaning Nigerians to continue to give support to the President Yar' adua administration. As the Vice President noted yesterday, and was widely reported in the media, the president is okay, and there is no cause for alarm. May I note that interestingly, The Punch did not report the Vice President's remarks, since they did not sync very well with their predetermined, but out rightly and obviously false resignation story. Sad.

Ima Niboro,

SSA Media and Communications to the Vice President

Originating at www.huhuonline.com