President Goodluck Jonathan this evening hit out hard at his estranged political godfather, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, for leaking to the press what was supposed to be a confidential letter to the former. The very uncomplimentary letter trended today on social media.

Jonathan in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media & Publicity) Reuben Abati said the Presidency found it “highly unbecoming, mischievous and provocative that a letter written by a former Head of State and respected elder statesman to President Jonathan has been deliberately leaked to the mass media in a deplorable effort to impugn the integrity of the President and denigrate his commitment to giving Nigeria the best possible leadership.”

Continuing, the statement said: “While many patriotic, objective and well-meaning Nigerians have already condemned the leaked letter as self-serving, hypocritical, malicious, indecent, and very disrespectful of the highest office in the land, President Jonathan has directed that none of his aides or any government official should join issues with Chief Obasanjo over it.

“The President himself will, at the appropriate time, offer a full personal response to the most reckless, baseless, unjustifiable and indecorous charges levied against him and his administration by the former Head of State.”

•Photo shows Obasanjo.