President Goodluck Jonathan has arrived in Abuja from London.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President Jonathan who fell ill in London thanked Nigerians for their show of solidarity, concern and best wishes.
Nearly one month after President Goodluck Jonathan set up a panel to probe the scandal surrounding the two overpriced bulletproof cars allegedly bought for the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and more than one week after the panel reportedly submitted its report, the president has not said a word. No matter what his aides say about his fidelity to both the truth and the anti-corruption war, Dr Jonathan is clearly reluctant to act on the matter, for Ms Oduah is said to be a favoured minister, one quite important to the president’s election in 2011 and his re-election plans in 2015. But act he must, notwithstanding speculations that he seeks a way out for the embattled minister. This column has no inkling what the panel’s findings are, but whatever happens, and given what we already know, the president will be demonstrating unparalleled audacity not to give Ms Oduah more than a slap on the wrist.
As far as Dr Jonathan is concerned, and in spite of his often buoyant sermonising in speeches and in churches, his presidency has formed a pattern of never meaning what he says, and of damning the whole world when his critics become too impassioned against his puny virtues. To be fair to him, he has not been inspiring in waging war on corruption, but he at least gestures in that direction and frequently pretends to be earnest in facing the problem squarely.
As if to reinforce the perception of the moral aimlessness of the Jonathan presidency, his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak, last week explained why Dr Jonathan turned down the invitation by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to deliver a keynote address at its Sokoto retreat. According to Alhaji Gulak, the president turned down the invitation because he did not recognise the NGF led by Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State. The president, he said unashamedly, recognised a faction of the NGF created and led by Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State.
In May, the NGF had conducted its leadership election in which Mr Amaechi emerged winner with 19 votes to Mr Jang’s 16. Many observers saw a direct and uncomplicated election; but the president chose to recognise the loser who was his candidate. Other than the 16 governors who recognise Mr Jang as NGF chairman, no other sensible person does. But what does the Jonathan presidency care? He sees no paradox in lending presidential weight to open indiscretion. If he finally and reluctantly chooses to punish Ms Oduah for her errors and lies, it will not be because he thinks it is the right thing to do; it will be because he has no choice. As for the NGF, don’t ever expect him to recognise the truth, no matter what loathsome impression it creates of his presidency. He abhors the upstart Mr Amaechi too much to give a damn. After all, in these parts, the impression presidential aides have of presidential power is that no president must ever lose an argument to anyone, let alone lose a deathly political struggle with a lowly governor. In their view, democracy endows a president with far more power and glory than a monarchy or outright dictatorship.
President Goodluck Jonathan aborted yesterday his 2014 budget presentation at the National Assembly. He sent a letter excusing himself.
House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal entered the chamber at 11:25 a.m and read the President’s letter.
Jonathan cited the disparity between the oil price benchmark of the Senate and the House as reason for his action.
The letter reads:
“Please recall that I had written requesting the Honourable House of Representatives to grant me the slot of 12 noon on Tuesday 19th November 2013 to enable me address a Joint Session of the National Assembly on the 2014 Budget.
“However, considering the fact that, whereas the Distinguished Senate has approved the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) based on a benchmark of $76.5 per barrel, the Honurable House of Representatives has used a benchmark of $79 per barrel, it is infeasible for me to present the budget in the absence of a harmonised position on the MTEF.
“In the circumstance, it has become necessary to defer the presentation of the 2014 Budget to a Joint Session of the National Assembly until such a time when both respected chambers would have harmonised their positions on the MTEF. It is my hope that this will be in the shortest possible time.”
This is the second consecutive postponement of the 2014 budget presentation.
It became glaring at 9:50 am yesterday when the Sergeants-at-arm began removing the labelings and demarcations meant for the joint sitting in the Green Chamber that the President would not honour the National Assembly with his presence.
The sit- at- home order to the over 3,000 National Assembly workers from grade level 01- 14 by the National Assembly, the closure of all banking and commercial activities, the excessive security screening at the entrances, the facelift of the complex, the prim and proper dressing by lawmakers, the red carpet all cam to nought yesterday.
Some senators and House of Representatives members were disappointed at the President’s action.
The presentation, which ought to have been made on November 12, was cancelled based on differences over the 2014-2016 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), especially on the oil benchmark.
While the Presidency fixed $74 for the benchmark, the Senate passed $76.5 while the House fixed $79 in the passed MTEF.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers went into a closed door meeting to discuss the aborted presentation.
It was learnt that the APC lawmakers were not disposed to the “drop-on-the-table” budget presentation.
After Speaker Tambuwal read the President’s letter, the House attempted to treat some bills which the movers said they were stepping down. Consequently, the House adjourned at noon.
Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila said: “We have not taken a decision on the MTEF because the Senate and the House have different positions and we have to reach a joint decision through executive session and harmonisation and arrive at a joint position.
“Since the budget is based on the passage of the MTEF, I think the President has given a good and cogent reason for not making it today (yesterday).
“I don’t know if the House is really expecting the President to make the presentation or not, yes there is some talk about that but to some of us, it is not just about the presentation.
“This is because, what we are talking about is the integrity of the budget and for the sake of the integrity of the budget, we have to realise that it is not just about our democracy but about the integrity of an arm of government.
“Under the constitution, it is the President that have to lay it and if it is read that ‘causing to be laid’ is interpreted to mean you can send anybody, then that is setting a bad precedence.
“It means that a President can decide to send his wife or any of his Personal Assistant on Domestic Affairs or any of his cronies.
“He may even decide to mail the budget but this is unacceptable; the argument that we had a precedence does not hold water because the President in question (late President Yar’Adua) was incapacitated and we all knew what happened to him unfortunately.
“It is an exception to the rule. This President is not incapacitated. “
Another member, Pally Iriase (APC Edo) said the budget presentation was too important for the President not to make the address, considering the fact that there is no State of the Nation address.
House spokesman Zakari Mohammed said: “It is not our fault that it wasn’t presented because the House is still within the timeframe for passing the MTEF.
“When we look at it from another angle, the coming of MTEF to the NASS was even belated because, according to the Constitution, the MTEF is supposed to be transmitted to the NASS six months before the end of the year, but we got this in September.”
He said the reason given by the President could not have been the sole reason for the aborted presentation.
According to him, the President presented the budget at a time when the Senate had not passed the MTEFF.
“Last year, the Senate was yet to pass the MTEF but the House had passed it when the President presented the budget; it was not an issue then.
“The House will go through the legislative process by raising a Conference Committee, harmonise the position of the two Houses, but there is no definitive date for its passage,” he added.
Senators were angry.
Senator Kabiru Gaya (Kano South) said: “First of all, let me say one thing. The President gave a date last week that he would be coming and when he gave that date even the interim MTEF had not been discussed.
“So, he gave a date earlier, so if it was ready for that date we would have received it without even passing the MTEF.
“So, all I am saying is that the President should have come here today, present his budget and issue of benchmark can be discussed and agreed during the deliberations on the budget.
“I am sure that was what happened. Even the MTEF was not discussed until after the budget was passed. So, I believe maybe the President has another reason.”
Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara Central) said: “We have to agree on the same benchmark because that is what the Constitution of Nigeria says. No one has an upper hand above the other.
“We have to agree as soon as practicable because we have to do away with the issue of arm twisting and impunity because this is getting too much from the executive.
“Why should you peg the benchmark? You cannot eat your cake and have it. There is separation of power. The issue of budget is the business of the legislature.
“The Constitution provides that all revenues acruing to the federation be retired into an account and after which it will be disbursed to the three tiers of government.
“What we have now is that the executive put a benchmark and have excess which was used to cover inadequacies on the increase everyday and it is nobody’s business.
“It is for the executive to implement. The excess crude account is illegal. That is why, according to governors recently, N5billion is missing from the account. Who removed the money? Funds should be appropriated before they are spent.
Mohammed Maccido ( Sokoto North) said: “The two chambers have to agree on the same benchmark because that is what the Constitution says. We have to deliberate on this issue and we have not done that.
“Our leadership at both chambers had sat down with the Minister of Finance too. I was in the meeting too and what was agreed upon was that we should try as much as we could to adhere to $76.50 per barrel but that is within the leadership. When you get to your different chambers, it’s a different ball game.
Heineken Lokpobri (Bayelsa West) said: “I don’t think that what is happening is strange. Normally, if the House passes a different version from the Senate, there will be a conference committee and as it is the House passed $79; the Senate passed $76.5.
“There has to be a formal conference committee that will harmonise both positions.
“Once that is done, the President will now come and present the budget but Nigerians need to know that this law mandating us to approve the MTEF before the budget can be presented is a recent law, it wasn’t there since 1999.”
President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of four new permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) Bukar Goni Aji, who announced the approval, said the appointments were made to fill the slot for Yobe State, which became vacant following his (Aji’s) appointment as the HCSF and the retirement of the permanent secretaries representing Lagos, Zamfara, and Kaduna states.
The new permanent secretaries are: Abbas Mohommed (Kaduna), Adelakun Saheed Kayode (Lagos), Bukar, Mohammed (Yobe), Magaji Abubakar (Zamfara).
The All Progressives Grand Alliance’s (APGA’s) governorship candidate, Chief Willie Obiano, yesterday said the success of the governorship election was a pointer to greater and brighter future for Anambra State.
Obiano, who was addressing reporters in his hometown, Aguleri, said the outcome of the poll had confirmed that the indigenes could forge a common front and take their destiny in their hands.
He noted that the electorate had made a strong statement through the decision to vote for a candidate of their choice.
The APGA standard-bearer said the election was free and fair.
He thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for providing a conducive environment and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for giving a level-playing field to all parties.
Obiano hailed the security agencies for maintaining law and order.
He also thanked the people for their orderliness during the poll and for voting for him, adding that he was grateful to APGA for giving him its ticket.
Chief Obiano urged the residents involved in the supplementary elections to participate and ensure a peaceful conclusion of the election.
SIR: As chairman of the Needs Assessment Committee for Nigerian Universities, Governor Gabriel Suswan has full grasp of what is at stake as far as tertiary education in Nigeria is concerned. What is more, he has been a regular at negotiations between ASUU and the Federal Government and all the while, efforts at amicable resolution between both parties have failed repeatedly.
However, it took the belated personal intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan’s meeting with the university lecturers to usher in what looks like a light at the end of a very long tunnel.
But it appears that while Nigerians and indeed students who have been at the receiving end of the impasse await ASUU’s final decision, the Benue governor is not having any of it. He would rather sabotage reconciliatory efforts by casting aspersions on ASUU leadership.
So it was that in an interview with ThisDay where the governor launched at the leadership of the union for politicizing the strike embarked upon by its members, claiming that ASUU was “determined that the Jonathan (PDP) government must be brought down…”
The governor claimed the easiest way the union intends to dismantle the government was by “ensuring that every family is affected.” In his peculiar rationalization, he argued that “…they (ASUU) have no basis rather than playing politics with the strike and then holding the nation hostage and destroying the future of this country…”
Pray, what could inflict any more pains on Nigerian families than the PDP-inspired economic sabotage? Granted that the consequences of the four-month hiatus in academic activities have been enormous, but it is nothing compared to the near-annihilation that Nigerians continue to suffer under the PDP hegemony.
What is baffling is that by the governor’s illogic, what ASUU is doing amounts to a concerted effort to dismantle the present government, having already accused the leadership of the union of being infiltrated by opposition political parties. Merely reducing efforts towards rescuing Nigerian university system and education in general from well-document decay through better funding by the government to a fight against PDP or President Jonathan is the worst form of trivializing the importance of education. This is exactly what the governor is doing; expressing his distaste for better education for the ordinary Nigerian.
To be sure, there is no law excluding members of ASUU or any Nigerian from belonging to political parties of choice or proscribing them from distinctive political leanings. For if the fear of opposition parties in ASUU would compel the Federal Government to implement an agreement it voluntarily entered and signed with university lecturers in 2009, the better. Ultimately, providing quality education is a paramount responsibility of government and to be alive to this constitutional responsibility, the government does not require, the nudging of the opposition, lecturers embarking on strike and being fought to a standstill.
In a chest-thumbing moment of self-gratification, the governor reminded us how he slept for “just four days” in Benue out of three weeks “just to raise money for this need assessment.” Well done sir! We recognize your contributions and commitment to settling the dispute and the need to put education on the front burner. But the truth is that what will truly kick out any government and restore the bleak future of the nation is not ASUU strike; it is the exacting burden of hardship occasioned by alarming official graft being supervised by the PDP government.
• Victor Mong
Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has urged the Presidency to dissociate itself from the utterances of its officials capable of causing disaffection among governors.
Amaechi said the Presidency must desist from misleading Nigerians, saying there is only one leader for the 36 governors. He added that his re-election as the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) was accepted by majority of the governors.
The governor was reacting to a statement credited to Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, the Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Goodluck Jonathan, referring to governors as “Amaechi Governors Forum”.
In a statement yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, David Iyofor, the governor said Gulak’s ignorance of basic democratic tenets could damage the credibility of the Presidency and make it a body that lacks respect for people’s mandate.
The statement reads : “It is certainly rude, uncharitable and nonsensical for Gulak, an appointed aide, to derisively refer to elected governors as ‘Amaechi Governors Forum’. Gulak and his co-travellers in the Presidency must be told in unambiguous terms that the Governors’ Forum is an internal business of governors and who becomes their chairman can only be determined by the governors alone.
“It is a known fact that in the election for chairman of NGF held on May 24, Governor Amaechi got the mandate of the majority of his colleague-governors to continue to serve as their chairman when 19 governors voted for him as against 16 that voted for Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang. We know that 19 is always greater than 16.
“But for the Jonathan Presidency, according to Gulak, 16 is greater than 19. We, like most Nigerians, are further saddened that the likes of Gulak in the Presidency are so ignorant and totally bereft of substance that they lack the capacity to comprehend the quantum of damage their comments do to the President.
“This is why it is imperative for the Presidency to dissociate itself and President Jonathan from the unbefitting, perverse and delinquent comments of Gulak on who is the authentic chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.”
The Nigeria squad at the time lacked the experience of the present team. Many of the players in Clemens Westerhof’s team were just embarking on their careers –
like Jay Jay Okocho (20 at the time), Daniel Amokachi (21) Sunday Oliseh (19) and Victor Ikpeba (21). In fact, the only players who had reached their 30th birthday were the present coach Stephen Keshi and goalkeeper Peter Rufai.
Despite their shock topping of a group ahead of Bulgaria and Argentina, many Nigerians still believe that had the team been just a little bit more experienced, they might have held on to their lead over eventual finalists Italy in the Round of 16 instead of succumbing to the Roberto Baggio-inspired Azzurri.
It seems likely that Keshi will have a side with more guile in Brazil, with several of his players plying their trade for top-notch European clubs. Players such as John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses and Victor Obinna will bring a wealth of experience playing at the highest level with them. The flip side of this is that, unlike the 1994 squad, Keshi and his team will arrive in Brazil with the burden of huge expectations back home.
Even Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan weighed in heavily, saying in a statement: “With the enormous pool of footballing talent available to the country, the Super Eagles can, with more hardwork, dedication, resilience and further honing of their skills and tactics, fulfill the national dream of being the first African Nation to win the World Cup.”
From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja
The newly elected President of the Nigeria Shooting Federation,
Wole Madariola Olumide has vowed to take the game to its rightful place in Africa and world with the assistance of his eminent members of his Board.
The Nigeria Shooting Federation was among the Federations the Honourable Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi inaugurated at the Abuja National Stadium last Thursday and the Boards has commenced programmes that would see it be a popular game in Nigeria very soon.
According to the NSF boss, “we want to take our rightful place in World Shooting and we need to establish our capabilities and always make sure that in any competition we take part in we leave an indelible mark.
“We are preparing big for the Commonwealth Games taking place in Scotland next year but before then we will participate in the African Championship slated for Egypt next year February. The African tournament will serve as trial for the shooters that will go to the Commonwealth Games. We have been given an order by President Goodluck Jonathan through the National Sports Commission to make this country proud and we are duty bound to achieve that”, Madariola told Sportinglife in Abuja at the weekend.
Madariola who is also a Security Adviser and Defense Consultant also revealed that his Board has plans to storm Cross River next year for the National Sports Festival to scout for talents in Shooting while two foreign tours would be embarked on to further give exposure to the shooters.
According to him “we are mindful of the medals that could be won for Nigeria in shooting in both the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics so we want to make an impact in the game and we are ready to work very hard to achieve this.
Madariola who as a member and former Vice President of the Federation has personally sponsored 20 Championships said this time around as the President of Shooting Federation he and his Boards would redouble their efforts to take the game to the rightful place it belongs. He said that winning medals is also paramount in the Board’s aspirations and programmes and as a result of this he has set up seven different committees that would help in meeting with the objectives and targets of the NSF.
Umeh: it’s delayed victory for APGA
Southeast traders have warned that if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fails to cancel last Saturday’s Anambra State governorship election, it will cripple activities in the zone.
Speaking with The Nation yesterday on the telephone, the Chairman of the Igbo Traders Association (ITA), Chief Anayo Nweke, described the election as a sham, saying it is not acceptable to Igbo traders.
He said Igbo traders nationwide were in talks as a result of the outcome of the poll, adding that the election had exposed INEC Chairman Prof Attahiru Jega.
According to him, “a situation where more than two-third, of eligible voters were disenfranchised while high profiled irregularities were witnessed should not be tolerated by the traders.
“We want INEC to, as a matter of urgency, cancel the election and fix a fresh date for a free, fair and credible election in Anambra State; otherwise, we will make this state ungovernable for the people,” Nweke said, adding:
“What happened in Anambra is a sham; it was a planned act between President Goodluck Jonathan, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) government and INEC to favour APGA.
“If this election is not cancelled, Igbo traders will not fold their arms and allow some individuals to ruin Igboland. We are not talking of Anambra alone, but the entire zone.
“So, for peace to reign in Anambra State, Jega should heed the voice of reason by cancelling the entire exercise and fixing a new date. This election has exposed him, Nweke said.
He added: “If anybody wants to use the Anambra election to negotiate for 2015 election, we are telling the person or persons that it will not work in Igbo land, no matter the level of security deployed. Nobody is happy about what happened in Anambra on Saturday.”
To Nweke, the issue was not to cancel the election in Idemili, Nsugbe, Ayamelum or else where; the association demands a credible election.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, said yesterday there was no miracle anybody could perform to upturn the victory of his party in the election.
Umeh said the proposed supplementary election in the specified areas should be conducted within seven days.
He said: “There is no miracle anybody can perform to upturn the lead of APGA in the election. We welcome the decision of INEC in very good spirits, but it will be an impossible task for them to cancel the votes.”
“We will continue to win. It was a delayed victory, but our people, I mean the APGA supporters, should remain calm, APGA won the election convincingly in 16 local government areas and the spread in 18 local government areas. So, we are not bothered.”
Umeh spoke with reporters after INEC announced that the election was inconclusive.
The agents of the other political parties refused to endorse the results.
Labour Party (LP) chairman Sam Oraegbunam, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) collation agent Onyeka Jude Kingsley and others said they were not convinced that the results were authentic.
The party leaders were fuming at the INEC office in Awka. They described the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukaogu, as a disappointment.