National conference not about Jonathan - Presidency

The Presidency on Friday said there was no truth in the claim that the planned National Conference which kicks off in Abuja on March 17 was all about President Goodluck Jonathan's interests.

Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Mr. Ahmed Gulak, said this in an interview with our correspondent while reacting to a claim by the spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi.

Gulak said contrary to Abdullahi's claim, the planned National Conference was about  Nigerians and how they would continue to live together in peace and unity.

He said the conference was convened to serve as an avenue for Nigerians to engage one another in discussions in a coordinated manner.

He added that it would be wrong to accuse the President of handpicking delegates when most of them were actually nominated by their states and trade unions among other groups.

'It is not true that the conference is about President Jonathan. The truth of the matter is that the conference is about Nigerians. It is about talking to ourselves in a coordinated manner. It is about discussing issues that would make the nation stronger and more united,' Gulak said. Punch