I’m a fan of Jonathan, but I hate cheats –Okagbare

Nigeria's medal hopeful, Blessing Okagbare

African and Commonwealth sprint queen, Blessing Okagbare, has said she has nothing against the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan. The Commonwealth Games double gold medallist said she had to speak up some people misunderstood her stand against some campaigners who hijacked her images for use without any recourse to her or her manager.

Last week, Okagbare expressed sadness over the use of her image and footage by a body said to be working for Jonathan without seeking her consent.

Okagbare who spoke with The PUNCH from Los Angeles, USA, on Tuesday said she was deeply saddened also that opposition parties took advantage of her statement to campaign against the President rather than looking at it matter professionally.

She said, “I heard that some opposition parties are using that against Jonathan’s campaign. It shouldn’t be so. I don’t want anyone or opposition parties to get it twisted. I cannot deny the bold strides the President made in sports in the last few years neither can the opposition parties do too.

“I am a die-hard fan of President Jonathan. He has inspired me so much and I appreciate everything and the changes he brought into Nigerian sports. Jonathan has really encouraged all sportsmen and women since he came into power. Even the opposition parties can testify to it.

“President Jonathan has given hope to a lot of sports men and women including myself. With him, I see a very bright future in Nigerian sports,” she said.

Despite her praises for Jonathan, Okagbare maintained that the decision by GoodHouse Nigeria to use her image and video footage in a campaign advertorial without seeking her consent was wrong.

“I insist that what GoodHouse Nigeria did in that advertorial by using my image and footage without seeking my consent was totally wrong and unprofessional.”