We’re not funding pro-Jonathan groups – Presidency

Special Adviser to the president on Political Matters, Prof Rufai Ahmed Alkali has debunked insinuations that the presidency is financing the activities of various associations and groups that came out to support him.
Reacting to a lead report in one of the national dailies, Prof Alkali said there are several thousands of groups across the country that are supporting the transformation agenda of the Goodluck Jonathan administration and are all privately funded by the sponsors of the groups.
According to him, most of the identified support groups voluntarily came under one umbrella, the Goodluck Support Group, GSG, for proper coordination and administrative convenience since they all share common goal of mobilising support for the laudable achievements of the federal government.
“I want to reiterate that these groups are completely independent and self-financing and the Presidency does not in any way foot the bills for the activities of these groups. They are voluntary non-governmental organizations and every Nigerian is aware that these NGOs source their funds independent of government,” he said.
Prof Alkali further declared that members of these groups are Nigerians who are appreciative of the landmark achievements of President Jonathan and have been exercising their fundamental right of freedom of association and free speech.
Alkali advised journalists to always seek for clarification on sensitive national issues before going to press in order to balance their report, saying his office and telephone lines are always open for those who wish to reach him.