by James Sambo

President Goodluck Jonathan has shut down the talks of an alleged plan for an interim government, saying that it is impossible for him to head an interim government.

Jonathan stated that it amounts to treason, the widespread insinuations that he’s scheming to hand-over to an interim national government instead of a democratically elected President on May 29.

While refuting the possibility of it happening, the President said it was only the military that could put in place an interim government, however, adding that even if it happens, it would be rejected by Nigerians and the international community.

He made the statement on Sunday, February 22, during the opening mass for the plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria which held at the Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Garki, Abuja.

He said: “There is no way Goodluck Jonathan, elected by the people with clear mandate, will now go and head interim government. The only interim government anybody can constitute is that of the military government which of course will not be accepted.”

“ECOWAS, AU, UN won’t accept it. And Nigeria will not be a pariah state. Clearly the insinuation of interim government, to me, is treasonable.”

Jonathan also pointed out that there would have been a huge casualty in the attack of February 14, in Gombe State, had the presidential election held as scheduled.

“Look at what happened in Gombe on February 14th, if the elections had been held, the casualty figure after that attack in Gombe would have been great. 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 because of personal interest that would jeopardise the interest of this nation,” the President added.

Kolapo Olapoju