2011: Presidential Aide Recants

Ojougbo had said at a press conference on wednesday that President Jonathan will run for the Presidential election in 2011 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP but recanted saying what he meant was that Jonathan has the right to run.

In the earlier Press conference, Ojougbo said "“Mr President is a PDP president and he is a member of PDP, and Mr President will run under the PDP."

But in a new Press Statement, Ojougbo said "Further to my interview earlier this morning, let me state that at no time did I say that Mr. President mandated me to say he will run in 2011." 

For the avoidance of doubt, I said the President can run if he so decides and that

it will be unfair to ask him not to run.
 
"If he decides to run I will vote for him."
 
"All what I said is my personal belief as a private citizen with the right to freedom

of expression."
Jonathan had been circumspect concerning the 2011 polls; fuelling speculation that he could take advantage of his goodwill and popularity to run.