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Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on National Assembly matters, Muhammed Abba Aji, has denied ever saying that it is impossible for the Igbos to become president in 2015. “I have not in any time made such statements,” Mr Abba Aji told reporters in Abuja on Thursday. “Contrary to this statement, I strongly believe that my Igbo brothers and sisters have equal rights with all members of other ethnic groups of our nation to seek any public office including the exalted office of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” He was reported to have said that if Mr Jonathan wins the 2011 elections, Namadi Sambo, the current vice president will step in to fill that position in 2015 if the president keeps his promise of ruling only one term.

“The statement as it relates to Vice President Namadi Sambo is entirely my personal view, which he neither desired nor solicited. I therefore hereby withdraw it, and regret any misunderstanding that it might have generated.” On the Freedom Of Information Bill, the Special Adviser also adjusted his earlier comments. Rather than his earlier stand that he will ensure that the president does not sign the bill into law when it is eventually passed by the Senate, Mr Abba Aji said he was just pointing out the ills of the bill.

“What I did was to draw attention to the conflict that in my view, it is likely to have with the seventh schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as it relates to the oath of office and the Official Secrecy Act which is yet to be repealed.

“I also tried to make distinction between the Freedom of Information Bill, which seeks to compel public officers to reveal official matters and the Freedom of the Press which is already enshrined as section 39 of the Constitution.” Mr Abba Aji had said, in Maiduguri, that he was disappointed in the House of Representatives for passing the bill. He said he expected the senate to throw it out, or he would be left with no option but to advise the president not to assent to the bill.