PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has said the decision by Professor Chinua Achebe to reject, once again, the conferment on him of the national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) is regrettable.
A statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President, Dr Reuben Abati, said Jonathan was also surprised by Achebe’s claim that the issues which caused him to reject the same award seven years ago still remained unresolved.
According to the statement, “coming as it does, against the background of the widely acclaimed electoral reforms undertaken by the Jonathan-led administration, the claim by Professor Achebe clearly flies in the face of the reality of Nigeria’s current political situation.
“As reflected in the immense improvements recorded in the conduct of the last general election applauded within and outside the country as the most credible elections in Nigeria in recent years, the Jonathan-led administration has made tremendous efforts to positively change the political architecture complained about by Professor Achebe and other Nigerians.
“Politically, Nigeria cannot be said to be where it was in 2004, as the administration has embarked on extensive electoral reforms to institute a regime of electoral integrity that all Nigerians can be proud of, believing that governance will be greatly enhanced in the country if the will of the people prevails at elections.”
The statement added that while Jonathan acknowledged that there were still challenges in the path of Nigeria’s attainment of its full potentials as a nation, he believed that his administration was moving the country in the right direction and, therefore, deserved the support, encouragement and cooperation of all citizens
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