Clarify Diplomatic, Phone Row With Morocco, APC Tells Jonathan

The All Progressives Congress has asked the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to tell Nigerians the cause of the ongoing diplomatic row between Nigeria and Morocco that has forced the Kingdom to recall its Ambassador to Nigeria, while portraying Nigeria as a liar.

In a statement in Lagos on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said Jonathan must in particular clarify the thorny issue of whether or not he spoke with King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

"According to published reports, the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry had said President Jonathan spoke on the telephone with the Moroccan King. But the Kingdom, in a very scathing statement, said no such conversation took place.

"The statement said 'Morocco is surprised at the incredible twist given by Nigeria to an alleged phone conversation that never took place between HM King Mohammed VI and Nigerian President'.

"This is very serious because, in effect, Morocco has called Nigeria a liar. Therefore, it behooves President Jonathan to personally intervene to address such an international embarrassment.

"The questions seeking answers are: Did President Jonathan speak with the Moroccan King? If not, who is responsible for this egregious misrepresentation that has embarrassed a whole country and its leader?" it said.

APC said Nigeria, because of its much-acclaimed leadership role in Africa, must not allow such a diplomatic faux pas to go without being addressed, saying other countries were keenly watching the row between Nigeria and Morocco.

"Before anyone accuses us of politicizing this issue, we make bold to say that we, the APC, and indeed all Nigerians are stakeholders in the Nigeria project. When Morocco branded Nigeria a liar, over whether or not our President spoke with the North African nation's King, it did not mention PDP or APC. It made a collective reference to Nigeria.

"This is why we feel strongly that this issue must be addressed urgently. Until then, all Nigerians, irrespective of their political leanings, will remain liars in the eyes of the international community", the party said.