I don’t need your support, Jonathan tells Economist magazine

President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed an editorial by the UK-based magazine, Economist, in which the paper endorsed Muhammadu Buhari, his chief rival in February 14 election.

In its piece, the Economist said Nigerians have two bad options in Messrs Jonathan and Buhari.

The paper said while Mr. Jonathan has utterly failed as president, with no capacity to tackle growing insurgency and widespread corruption, Mr. Buhari is a former dictator with blood on his hands.

Nonetheless, the paper said voting the dictator is better than a failed president.

Mr. Jonathan’s office on Friday expressed displeasure over the magazine’s assessment, describing it as “baseless, jaundiced and malicious vilification” of the president.

A statement issued in Abuja by Mr. Jonathan’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, said that contrary to the Economist’s assertions, Nigeria, under Mr. Jonathan has made very considerable progress.

The presidency noted with surprise, the magazine’s “tongue-in-cheek endorsement of General Muhammadu Buhari in the run-up to Nigeria’s general elections”.

According to the statement, the president retains the trust and confidence of majority of Nigerians as the outcome of the presidential elections will undoubtedly show…