So who's lying; Reuben Abati or Pan African News Agency?

Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati said yesterday that President Jonathan never contested the AU chairmanship with Benin Rep President, Boni Yayi. But reputable news agency - Pan African News Agency (PANA) reported otherwise.

What PANA wrote below...

Yayi Boni succeeds Obiang Nguema as AU Chairman

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - The President of Benin, Yayi Boni, has taken over the chairmanship of the African Union (AU) following his nomination at a mini-Summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Boni's election came as a result of compromise by the West African leaders.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan had made a last-minute bid for the Chairmanship, but his quest was opposed by Ghana and other West African states which supported the Beninese President.

So who's lying?

Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema handed over the leadership of the AU and installed the new Chairman at the 18th AU Summit, which kicked off on Sunday, with the crisis in North Africa and the need to manage the transitions in the region dominating discussions.

Speaking during the meeting, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon made a formal plea to African leaders to appreciate the differences in the crises in Libya and Cote d’Ivoire and mend fences for the sake of future relations.

“There were differences in Cote d’Ivoire and Libya. These were not differences of objectives or goals; our partnership is anchored in shared values. These were differences in operational and strategic approaches. This is natural, even to be expected among organisations with varied mandates and membership,” Ban said.

-0- PANA AO/VAO 29Jan2012

29 january 2012 10:23:18

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Boko Haram Costs Jonathan AU Chair

The gory activities of Boko Haram yesterday stopped President Goodluck Jonathan from clinching the chairmanship position of African Union (AU).

Against expectations that the Nigerian president would emerge Chairman of the Africa’s political topmost body, the President of the Republic of Benin, Boni Yayi, was elected the new chairman of the AU and will server for 12 months.

NEWSMEN gathered that news of insecurity and the mass protests both home and abroad that trailed the removal of fuel subsidy played major roles in turning down the choice of Jonathan as the AU Chairman.

The newly -elected chairman an economist, in his acceptance speech, however, promised support for Jonathan and Nigeria in tackling the terrorism problem which the country currently faces.

Yayi, whose emergence as AU helmsman was announced at the 18th ordinary session of the Assembly of the African Union AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia , added that he was prepared to consolidate on the good works being done by the AU particularly in the areas of integration and peace in the region.

Yayi was elected alongside Yoweri Museveni of Uganda as the vice- chairman while the second Vice -chairman of the AU which was slated for North Africa was given to Moncef Marzouki of Tunisia.

Jacob Zuma of South Africa took the slot of third vice Chairman of the union.

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Jonathan may run for African Union(AU) chairperson

President Goodluck Jonathan may enter the race for chairman of the African Union, after Gambia pulled out of the running this week, a source close to Jonathan said Saturday.

Leaders will choose a new chairman for the 54-member pan-African body in a secret ballot at the African Union summit opening Sunday.

The leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are campaigning for Jonathan to run for the position, which has been occupied by the President of Equatorial Guinea, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, since 2008.

“Quite a number of African leaders have been approaching him and encouraging him to be the candidate for the next chairman of the African Union,” said the source, who spoke of the condition of anonymity.

“If it is the consensus of (ECOWAS) that he should run for the chairmanship of the African Union, I doubt if he will be able to tell his colleagues that he will not listen to them,” he added.

Diplomatic sources had earlier said Gambian President Yahya Jammeh or Benin’s leader Boni Yayi were likely rivals for the post, which changes every four years and is offered to different regions in Africa on a rotational basis.

However, the source confirmed that Gambia was no longer vying for the spot, which is largely ceremonial, adding that Benin may not run either, leaving Nigeria as the sole candidate for chairman of the union.

ECOWAS leaders are meeting on the margins of the AU summit in Addis Ababa Saturday to decide whether they will formally recommend Jonathan for the spot.

The next chairman will come from the west African region to replace Obiang, whose election was condemned by rights group over his poor rights record at home.

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