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Tag: Goodluck Jonathan

Dickson, Wike truce and Jonathan’s leadership failure

Last week delivered drama aplenty in the country. There were very interesting and, occasionally, distressing news items.

We had the appointment of a young and dishy-looking woman, Mrs Zainab Ahmad as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the almighty feud between Dr. Ibe Kachiukwu, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, and Mr. Maikanti Baru, Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the unfortunate outbreak of monkey pox in Bayelsa State among others.

Of considerably bigger interest to me, however, was the reported truce between the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike and his Bayelsa State counterpart, Mr. Henry Seriake Dickson.

It was a huge surprise to many Nigerians, last Thursday, when Wike , in company of the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, stormed the Government House, Yenagoa.

After the customary photo ops, Governor Dickson and his guests met behind closed-doors for about three hours. Both governors emerged from the meeting hugging each other right before the inquisitive Government House correspondents, whom they later addressed.

Wike, beaming with smiles as though he had just found a long lost brother, said his meeting with Dickson was very successful and expressed willingness to regularly compare notes with the Bayelsa helmsman. He also praised Dickson for putting Bayelsa State on the path of rapid development.

“I am not surprised because Dickson prepared for the office and so you can see the result. You know once you prepared for an exam, certainly you will pass very well and that is why Dickson has done very well for his people and for the Ijaw nation. What I have seen today has made PDP proud; it has made the people of Bayelsa, the Ijaw nation ‎and the Niger Delta proud,”‎ gushed the Rivers State Governor.

He particularly commended Dickson for building an iconic Governor’s Office Complex, jokingly saying that he thought his office was grand before visiting Yenagoa and adding his colleague’s office will make him return to Port Harcourt and do something about his own office..

Wike expressed his desire to partner with Governor Dickson in the area of political and economic development of the region as well as develop and share common ideas for the overall good of both states‎. He expressed confidence that his relationship with Dickson will consolidate the unity in the South-South zone.

Dickson thanked Wike for the visit and the kind words he showered on him, saying he looks forward to working with him more closely to help develop regional integration.

“We talked about a whole lot, including security and developmental matters within our region‎ and in our respective states. As we progress, you will see all of this unfold and we will do so at the regional level in conjunction with all our brother governors”, Dickson said.

The meeting came after a protracted cold war between the two governors. For long, the relationship between both men was frosty-and all fronts. The situation nearly shredded the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and South-South development initiative known as BRACED Commission. The commission was conceived to foster regional integration and economic development among Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta (BRACED).

Their feud climaxed when Wike failed to invite Dickson and Bayelsa State to the recent Golden Jubilee celebration of the creation of Rivers State, an event that should have had both states playing prominent roles, given that Bayelsa was carved out of Rivers State.

Curiously, while the feud persisted, former President Goodluck Jonathan made no effort to intervene despite being viewed as a leader to the rowing governors.

Indeed in some quarters, the belief is that Jonathan and his wife, Patience, were happy at the spat between the two governors and actively encouraged its continuation. While there is no confirmation yet that Jonathan and his wife caused the feud, no one is in doubt that Jonathan’s inability to reconcile the two governors puts a huge question mark on his personality and leadership of the South-South zone. Could Jonathan have been deriving some benefits from the quarrel? Perhaps.

My take from the truce is that Wike realised the need to mend fences with Dickson, did so with flourish and deserves commendation for placing the interests of the region above personal political interests. The cessation of the feud gives many of us and of course, the PDP and the Niger Delta, the chance to breathe more easily. It is only if the two states are at peace that the Niger Delta region will have peace. It is when the two Governors are on the same page that Rivers and Bayelsa states will continue to remain in the PDP and neutralize the All Progressives Congress (APC).

For how long will the new-found peace last? Nobody knows exactly, but I hope it endures for the overall good of the Niger Delta and the PDP.

October 7, 2017
Students unhappy over state of the nation

The Student Union Government of the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife has shown displeasure of the state of nation even despite the celebration of Independence.

This was contained in a Public Statement obtained by The Nation, signed by the Public Relation Officer Okediji Simon and the President which reads, ” Obafemi Awolowo University Students’ Union uses this medium to congratulate all Nigerians, at home and in diaspora, on the independence anniversary of our dear country.

Today, it is importance that we all engage in sober self-reflection and thorough introspection to judge the need for celebration or otherwise of this year’s independence anniversary of our fatherland.

While it is obvious that our nation has nothing inspiring and rejuvenating to mark its increasing age on yearly basis, we believe that the voices of over thirty five thousands students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife as well as demands of Nigerian masses deserve a befitting amplification to register our displeasures and grievances to the Nigerian government and all well meaning international communities.

Dear citizens of noble country, it is most unfortunate to note that after 57 years of independence from the solipsistic British colonial rule, we still taste from the bitter plagues of hunger, disease, illiteracy, poor economy, internal insurgency, terrorism, etc. Our nation has been ploughed into enormous debts, national embarrassment and global mockery as a result of bad governance and irresponsible leadership across all the three organs and tiers of government.

Not to economise the truth, Nigeria is fast losing her relevance in the comity of nations due to a drastic fall in her economic strength; her inability to combat and overcome the protracted Boko Haram insurgency that had claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in the North Eastern part of the country; lack of foresight and progressive mentality of most Nigerian politicians which are key to attaining economic growth and political advancement, and lastly; the failure of the government to put all the existing institutions to work towards the path of progress.

From the foregoing, it cannot be gainsaid that our nation has suffered heavy blows of setbacks in politics, science and technology, commerce, innovation and invention.

Nigerian government has totally disregarded the place of the youth in nation building through its open insouciance and insensitivity to their plights.

Nigerian government has failed to understand that a nation that refuses to educate its youths is certainly toeing a path of social perdition, political doom and economic disaster.

By choosing not to properly fund the education sector, the government is depriving the youth of the essential weapons required to fight oppression, selfish leadership regime and tyrannical tendency of the ruling class.

Therefore, it is our duty as youths to take our destinies into our own hands.

As we celebrate this year’s independence anniversary, the following are our demands to the Federal Government of Nigeria as well as the Management of Obafemi Awolowo University:

1. That education should be properly funded in order to raise the current standard of Federal Government-owed institutions across the country

2. That Federal Government should invest more of its energy in charting a new course of development in the country that will encourage massive and effective diversification of Nigerian economy

3. That Nigeria Government should immediately revisit the recommendations of the last National Confab organized during Goodluck Jonathan-administration or fast track other means of engaging the public on important national discourses such as Restructuring, Devolution of Power, etc.

4. That the Federal Government should sincerely combat insecurity in the Country as Nigerians are tired of constant vitriolic Boko Haram attacks, Fulani Herdsmen ambushes, Badoo Ritualistic killings, etc.

5. That the Federal Government of Nigeria honours its agreements with all trade/professional unions that just suspended their nationwide strikes in order to ensure smooth running of our various institutions

6. As a matter of fact, the Federal Government should consider more peaceful and diplomatic means of attending to IPOB agitation for balkanization of the Country rather can deploying the military to the zone when the situation hasn’t gone beyond the competence of the Nigerian Police Force

7. We demand the Management of Obafemi Awolowo University to make learning and living condition of students on campus more conducive by building more lecture theatres, well-equipped laboratories and hostels

8. We demand the University Management to ensure students have constant water and power supply

9. We demand the University Management to constantly embark on cutting of grasses and clearing of bushes to guarantee a safer, and healthy living environment

10. We demand the University Management to renovate all the existing halls of residence

Finally, we encourage all Nigerians to keep their hopes alive. We should also bear in minds that all hands must be on deck to attain progress and greatness for our dear nation.

Our Union can be strong again and our nation will definitely redeem her dented image in global scene only when we have a unity of purpose and untiring drive, fully devoted to promoting the cause of peace, development and progress.

And in the end, our nation will come of our this Stygian darkness.

October 2, 2017
‘Jonathan’s 2015 campaign organisation owes my company N24m’

“My company is being owed N24 million for printing ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign posters during 2015 presidential election,” says Mr Olusegun Idowu, a witness in Femi Fani-Kayode’s trial.

Idowu, was the first witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) in the ongoing trial of the then Director for Media and Publicity of Jonathan’s Campaign Organisation, Femi Fani-Kayode.

Fani-Kayode is standing trial on an alleged N4.9 billion fraud.

He is being charged alongside a former minister of State for Finance, Nenadi Usman, one Danjuma Yusuf and a company, Joint Trust Dimensions Ltd.

They are standing trial on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful retention of proceeds of theft and money laundering.

They all pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

Idowu, while giving evidence, said the N24 million was part of a total of N54 million which was for pasting of posters and consultancy jobs, his company did for the ex-president’s campaign organisation during the 2015 election.

The witness, also the Managing Director of Paste Poster Company Ltd, said his company was paid N30 million cash in tranches of N6 million and N24 million, while another N24 million remained unpaid.

During cross-examination, Idowu told the court that his company got the poster printing job for the ex-president campaign organisation through a referral by a member of the organisation, Aderemi Ajidahun.

Idowu said that one Mr Oke helped his company to relate with the campaign organisation.

He said his company received the cash payments of N24 million and N6 million from the said Mr Oke.

When asked by Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, Mr Norrison Quakers, whether he had any direct dealings with Fani-Kayode, Idowu stated that he never had any direct dealing with Fani-Kayode.

Justice Rilwan Aikawa, however, after listening to the arguments, adjourned the case until Nov. 20, 21 and 22 for continuation of trial.

In the charge Fani-Kayode was accused of conspiring with the other accused to directly and indirectly retain various sums, which were proceeds of crime.

EFCC also said that the accused allegedly committed the offences between Jan. 8 and March 25, 2015.

September 28, 2017
Jonathan ceded Rivers oil well to Bayelsa to punish Amaechi – APC

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked Governor Nyesom Wike to publicly apologise to the people of the state and his immediate predecessor/benefactor, Rotimi Amaechi, over the ceding of Soku Oil Wells belonging to Rivers to neighbouring Bayelsa State.

The oil wells in Kalabari axis of Rivers were controversially ceded during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, an indigene of Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, to punish the then governor (Amaechi), the Director-General of Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation, for declining to support the re-election of his Niger Delta kinsman (Jonathan).

Rivers APC, through its Chairman, Chief Davies Ikanya, yesterday in Port Harcourt, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Public Affairs, Chief EzeChukwuemeka Eze, described as shocking, Wike’s acceptance that the disputed Soku oil wells, which it insisted he (Rivers governor) and Jonathan connived to cede to Bayelsa, belonged to Rivers.

Wike, who was Jonathan’s Minister of State for Education, on Tuesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, while hosting members of the Forum of Surveyors-General of States, urged the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Mr. Ebisintei Awudu, to resolve the lingering boundary dispute between Rivers and Bayelsa states, stressing that he was in the best position to address the boundary conflict.

The Rivers governor said: “We believe that the oil wells belong to us (Rivers State people). We are brothers and there is no need for this conflict to linger. Imagine if it was between two states with no relationship, it would have been worse.”

Rivers state was created on May 27, 1967, while Bayelsa state was created out of the old Rivers state on October 1, 1996.

Rivers APC said: “September 19, 2017 will ever remain memorable in the politics of Rivers State. This was the day that one of the hidden truths was brought to the open. By his confession, Wike has vindicated our position that he collaborated with the then President Jonathan to fight Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to a standstill and to dislodge APC that clearly won the 2015 general elections, from the Brick House, Port Harcourt.

“One of the ways in which they achieved the infamous feats was to cede Rivers State oil wells to Jonathan’s Bayelsa State, in a bid to economically emasculate Rivers State and starve Amaechi’s government of funds.”

The main opposition APC also stated that the Rivers governor’s latest stand on the controversial oil well issue was a reflection of a misguided leader, who likes to play politics with every issue, so far it would benefit him, not minding if such a stand was against the progress of Rivers state and its people.

It said: “It is on record that Wike used the oil well issue about three years ago to dehumanise and abuse his benefactor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and called him many uncouth names, for pleading and stating that it was wicked of Dr. Jonathan to cede Rivers State’s oil wells to neighbouring Abia and Bayelsa States, just to prove his hatred for the people of Rivers State, after giving him one of their daughters (Dame Patience Jonathan) for a wife and ensured that he was properly educated at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).

“In view of Amaechi’s stand, Wike, as the then Supervising Minister of Education, threatened the then Rivers governor (Amaechi) with everything within him, including brimstone and arrest immediately after Dr. Jonathan would be declared as president for a second term in 2015, but God proved him wrong.

“Wike, while exhibiting poor understanding of the plight of Rivers people, appreciated Dr. Jonathan for the heinous and evil act by giving him an award during the recent celebration of 50th anniversary of the creation of Rivers State.

“If Wike is serious about demanding the receding of the oil wells to Rivers State, let him start by withdrawing the unmerited award given to Dr. Jonathan, after which he should formally apologise to God, Amaechi and the people of Rivers State for criminally emasculating them economically by the evil act against Rivers State and humanity, for us to take him seriously.”

The main opposition party also reminded the Rivers governor that as minister of state for education, he sent members of his political group, the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), to harass and disperse the leaders and traditional rulers of kalabari Kingdom, under the aegis of Kalabari National Forum, during their protest march to submit their letter to the Director-General, National Boundary Commission, Abuja.

APC urged the surveyor-general of the federation to assist and restore the Soku oil wells to Rivers state, not minding the fact that Wike was one of the architects and brains behind the ceding of the Rivers oil wells to neighbouring states.

September 20, 2017
Bayelsa: Jonathan too big to be a PDP local champion

Ex- President Goodluck Jonathan is not interested in hijacking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in Bayelsa State, a group under the aegis of PDP Southsouth League has said.

The PDP group, in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Ariolu Tebidapa (Delta State) and Secretary, Mr. Akpan Ibibio (Akwa Ibom) said Jonathan “is too big to hijack the state party structure” at a time when he is widely celebrated nationally and internationally for his tremendous achievements.

The statement reads: “We have been observing for some time, a new trend of sponsored attempts aimed at reducing and ridiculing the tall image and personality of former President Goodluck Jonathan. It is however , most unfortunate that those behind this, are people within the South South region, at a time when the former President is widely celebrated both nationally and internationally for his tremendous achievements which Nigerians are now attesting to comparatively.

“As concerned PDP members from the South South region, we cannot fold our arms to watch anyone or group, malign our father and leader in the person of His Excellency, Goodluck Jonathan; hence we have decided to speak up.”

The group said some persons within the PDP who sees the former President as a threat ahead of 2019 elections had refused to back down after the Supreme Court judgement had laid to rest the leadership crisis that rocked the party.

It added that the former president was not interested in contesting the 2019 general elections.

“His Excellency, former President Goodluck Jonathan is not contesting for the office of the President of the federal republic of Nigeria, even though he is well qualified constitutionally and by pedigree because he is still widely loved and accepted by Nigerians.

“Former President Goodluck Jonathan that we know, is a perfect gentleman and the National leader of our party PDP, who will not want to reduce himself to affairs of one state or a region as some persons may want to project him. He is a father who forgives and listens to everyone no matter your status; and will always sacrifice his comfort for peace at any cost.

“It is obvious, that since after the supreme court judgement that laid to rest the leadership crisis that rocked the PDP, some persons within the party in the region, are still not settled due to the role they played, in spite of the fact that the party has granted amnesty to all those who worked against the interest of the party. These persons see the former President, Goodluck Jonathan as a threat, hence their reactions in trying to attack his personality,” the statement said.

The group accused those who feel threatened by the former President’s achievements of spreading falsehood against him.

“We consider this story as an imagination from those who are being chased by their shadow. As the leader of the party, how can he be interested in only one state when the party is preparing for elective congresses and National convention?

“If at all former President Goodluck Jonathan is interested in anything, it should rather be who leads the party at the national level to push forward his vision for Nigeria.

“Consequently, we consider all these as attempts to distract the attention of the former President, at a time when he is busy working with other party leaders and focusing his attention on how to reposition our great party and Nigeria for the challenges ahead,” the statement added.

September 12, 2017
Centenary City project: Judge refuses to quash report against Anyim, others

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja Monday refused to quash the damaging report issued by the House of Representatives on its investigation of the controversial Centenary City project promoted under the administration of Goodluck Jonathan.

The report had indicted former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim and other major actors in the handling of the project.

In a judgment yesterday, Justice Dimgba dismissed the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/258/2017, filed in the name of centenary City Plc,seeking among others, the voiding of the report.

Justice Dimgba noted that the allegations of bias and bad faith raised against Herman Hembe, who head the House of Reps’ committee that investigated allegation of corruption in the project, was insufficient to move the court to quash the report.

The plaintiff had, in the suit filed on March 29 this year, claimed among others, that Hembe had sought a private meetings with the plaintiff prior to the investigation (public hearing) with the intention of being induced.

It equally claimed that its representatives at the public hearing demanded Hembe’s disqualification from the committee, but that its lawyers and representatives later walked out of the proceedings when Hembe failed to step down.

The plaintiff, which complained of being denied fair hearing, said the committee proceeded with the public hearing, without its participation, and issued a majority report, but with a member dissenting, a report the entire House of Reps later adopted.

In his judgement, Justice Dimgba said the suit was one that was built on Section 36(1) of the Constitution, which “provisions are only applicable, in the determination of the civil rights and obligations of persons before a court or other judicial tribunal established by law”.

The judge observed that “the majority report, adopted by the whole House made adverse findings and recommendations on the project”.

He further observed that the plaintiff thought that the House of Reps’ perception of the project, its adverse conclusions and recommendations, contained in its report, were not accidental, but orchestrated by the second defendant (Hembe).

The judge also noted that the plaintiff, in filing the suit, thought that Hembe had “some legacy hatred against the chief promoter of the project, former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim”.

Justice Dimgba said granting the plaintiff’s prayers and quashing such a report issued and ratified by another arm of government could endanger the stability of the political system in terms of the relations among independent and equal arms of government.

The judge said it was necessary for the court “to tread very carefully here so as not to breed hostility among separate organs of government that should accord each other reciprocal respect”.

Justice Dimgba said: “In all honesty, upon a full and dispassionate appraisal of what has been placed before me, I do not believe that a sufficient case has been made warranting the intervention of the Court in the manner prayed for in the suit.

“First, this suit has been built on Section 36(1) of the Constitution. A review of the said section shows that the provisions are only applicable, ‘in the determination of the civil rights and obligations’ of persons ‘before a Court or other judicial tribunal established by law.

“I do not agree that the defendants are acting as court or tribunal or performing a quasi-judicial function. I do not even agree that the defendants are acting in administrative capacity.

“All the conditions enumerated in Section 36 must co-exist in a given situation for the provisions to enjoy any relevance,” the judge said.

He refused the plaintiff’s argument that the House of Reps’ report must be voided because the Senate had earlier conducted similar investigation and given Anyim and others pass mark.

The judge added: “I state for the avoidance of any doubt, that the House of Representatives’ investigation of the Centenary City project, which the Senate has justified, might appear mischievous or driven by questionable motives or goals, as alleged, but the investigation itself is not illegal, since the Senate’s findings are not binding on the House of Representatives, being independent legislative facilities established by the Constitution.”

The judge said the plaintiff failed to provide the court with relevant materials to prove that the House of Representatives’ committee was compromised by Hembe’s personal interest.

Justice Dimgba said: “The evidence clearly shows that the plaintiff was invited to the public hearing, as were other relevant stakeholders.

“The right to be heard, simply means the opportunity to be heard, not that one must be heard definitively even when you spurn the opportunity,” he said.

He noted that, with questions of credibility surrounding the report, especially as captured by the minority report, ignored by the House of Reps, the plaintiff, rather than rushing to court, ought to have impressed it on the government agencies, to which the report was sent, not to implement it.

September 11, 2017
Buhari-Jonathan crossfire

Was the state of the Nigerian economy really healthy and buoyant on May 29, 2015 or heading for the rocks?

This was the crux of the controversy between the immediate past administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan and the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The fresh hostility started when Jonathan spoke at the 2017 PDP Special Non-Election Convention in Abuja penultimate weekend.

He appeared to have stirred the hornet’s nest with his claim that his administration handed over a healthy and robust economy to President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2015.

He declared that Nigeria’s economy would have been more robust if the Buhari’s administration had consolidated on the achievements of his administration.

He said, “On the economic front, we provided focused leadership, through institutional and sectoral reforms which impacted positively on the fundamentals for growth, especially in the last four years of our time in power.

“The effect was that we tamed inflation at a single digit, maintained price stability, grew the economy to become the largest in Africa with a GDP of over half a trillion US dollars, and the number one foreign direct investment destination on the continent.

“And I tell all PDP members that from the days of Obasanjo, through the days of Yar’Adua to Jonathan, we have done well. Nobody should intimidate you.

“I learnt that some people said that if PDP had remained in power beyond 2015, the economy would have performed worse. This couldn’t have been the case, because we had a sound economic team in place, managing the economy,” he said

On 2019, he said “Let it be known, in all nooks and crannies of our country, that the PDP is back to claim its rightful place in the affairs of the nation. As we have always done, we are ready to return Nigeria to the path of unity, peace and prosperity,” he stated.

But the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, wasted no time to react to Jonathan’s claims.

He said “With due respects to the former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, these are the facts about the economy you left behind, in case you have forgotten.

“I hope this will help to erase the wrong statement credited to you at your party, the PDP Convention at the Eagle Square last weekend that you handed to President Buhari a robustly healthy economy.

“To the same extent, this should also help to erase yet another false statement by Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, the Caretaker Chairman of the party, to the effect that under the previous administration there was money but now things are very hard.

“Let me start by reasserting an obvious statement, which is that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration was handed an economy ravaged by years of mismanagement and corruption.

“It is understandable that Dr Jonathan kept his comments short, because a cursory look at any sector clearly indicated that he and his Government presided over the most monumental and tragic economic mismanagement recorded in our national history.

“The oil sector boomed under his tenure, with oil prices as high as US$ 120 and peace in the Nigeria Delta. Nigeria earned unprecedented dollar revenues. Sadly, that is where the story turns sour. There is nothing to show for the revenues earned, no major capital project was completed, neither power generation, road development, rail or agriculture benefitted from the windfall earnings.

“Rather the administration presided over the diversion of oil revenues on a such a massive scale, that even without the protection now accorded to Whistle blowers, the then Central Bank Governor blew not only a whistle but a trumpet. He was hurriedly shown the door.

“Meanwhile, the acquisition by public officers and their cohorts of private jets, luxury yachts and the accumulation of expensive property portfolios world-wide continued unabated. Indeed the President once celebrated having the largest number of private jets, whilst our youth languished without jobs, our fields stood idle and our factories began the layoff of workers.

“Government simply reticulated oil revenue through personal spending by corrupt leaders, wasteful expenses and salaries. This was done rather than investing in what would grow the economy.

“Economies grow due to capital investment in assets like seaports, airports, power plants, railways, roads and housing. Nigeria cannot record a single major infrastructural project in the last 10 years. In short the money was mismanaged.

“Such was the looting that even the goose that was laying the golden egg was being systematically starved. The direct contractual costs of oil produced , in the form of cash calls, remained unpaid.

“The incoming , President Buhari’s welcome from the oil majors included demand for US$6Bn owed by Nigeria for oil that had already been sold or stolen.

“At the inception of the current administration, 21 States were unable to meet their salary bills and the spectre of workers arrears had commenced.

“The PDP solution was the raid the Ecological Fund and selectively grant N2Bn each to the PDP States. It was only aggressive borrowing by the Ministry of Finance under Dr Okonjo- Iweala that prevented Federal Government from also owing salaries.

“The economic wisdom of borrowing to pay recurrent bills is a questionable one, particularly as those paid would have included over 45,000 that have subsequently been removed by the Buhari led administration as ghost workers.

“It also included the lavish costs of chartering private jets, first class travel and other wasteful acts that have been eliminated under this administration.

“To compound the problem the government was borrowing heavily and owed contractors, and international oil companies. When this government took over we had accumulated debt back to the level it was before the Paris Club Debt Forgiveness.

“All these factors were building up to Nigeria heading for a major crisis if the price of oil fell. Nigeria did not have fiscal buffers to withstand an oil shock.

“The oil shock should and could have been foreseen. When Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, ISIS crisis started, it was clear that the United States of America wanted to cut off funds to terror groups by crashing the price of oil. When America granted permission for exploration of oil on land ( Shale) the warning signs were evident, but these were ignored by Nigeria’s economic managers.

“In summary Nigeria earned a lot of money when oil prices were high but there is nothing to show for it. Now oil prices have fallen we are suffering.

“The Buhari administration has taken a long term strategic view of supporting a stable naira on both the supply and demand sides. President Buhari has driven Import substitution to reduce demand for dollars to buy things we can produce thereby creating thousands of rural jobs in rice and other staples.

“In addition, there is a credible plan to diversity our revenue sources away from oil, with focus on export crops as well as solid minerals, with the release of US$100M fund to develop solid mineral extraction.”

With the resumption of the crossfire between the present administration and members of the major opposite party, spearheaded by the former President, it is becoming glaring that the race for 2019 has begun.

But Nigerians are wiser and before informed now and would be very difficult to mislead for upcoming general elections.

August 22, 2017
Oni to Jonathan: Apologise to Nigerians for your corrupt govt

Deputy National Chairman south of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Engr. Segun Oni also said that the former President should not be talking about what he did or failed to do concerning corruption.

He said the former President failed in his bid to fight corruption as there were no results to show for his efforts, saying he should just apologize to Nigerians for his failed efforts.

He said: “I haven’t read his comment. But let me say that it is very unfortunate that a former President of this country will say that. There is the saying that there is no mark for effort. The only mark you get is for results.

“It does’t matter how much a man tried, if he does not have a result to show, what he should just do is to keep quite and that is what I will advice him to do as far as corruption is concerned.

“There is no mark for effort. Every mark is about result. What results did he get. The results are very shameful and he should not be talking about what he did or what he did not do on corruption. I think he should just be asking for forgiveness, ” Oni stated.

August 13, 2017
PDP will reclaim power in 2019, says Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday in Abuja announced that the Peoples Democratic Party had returned from limbo and would reclaim power in 2019.

Jonathan asserted this in his address at the party’s a special national convention.

He said that the party’s achievements while in power would rekindle the confidence of the electorate to vote it back in power in the 2019 general elections.

“The party is indeed back to reclaim its prime position as the party to lead Nigeria to greatness.

“As a human institution, we cannot claim to be perfect and as a political party, our accomplishments up to 2015 are clear for every Nigerian to see,’’ he said.

According to Jonathan, the achievements of the party while in power are ample evidence to demonstrate that PDP is a party of vision and accomplishments.

Highlighting achievements of the party, he said that elections conducted from 2011 by the government controlled by PDP met globally-accepted standard.

“We succeeded in doing that because of the leverage and the autonomy we gave to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“PDP is a party that wants to place Nigeria in a position to compete favourably with other countries,’’ he said.

On the economy, the former president said that PDP provided focused leadership through institutional and sectoral reforms which impacted positively on the country, especially in the last four years of our tenure.

“We tamed inflation at a single digit, maintained price stability, and drove the economy to become the largest in Africa.

“We also made Nigeria to be the number one foreign direct investment destination in the continent,’’ he said.

According to him, in 2012, PDP ensured that prices of food remained stable in spite of flood which affected 50 per cent of farmlands along the flood plains of river Niger and Benue.

Jonathan said that the country was able to regain its goodwill internationally because the PDP pursued programmes and policies that were not only rewarding but were copied by other countries across the globe.

“We can recall that our agricultural transformation agenda transformed key agricultural value chains, boosted local production and created a new generation of young commercial farmers.

“The introduction of electronic wallet checked corrupt practices in the distribution of fertilizer and enabled farmers to get fertilizer like all other agro inputs.

“In the same vein, the YouWin programme empowered a crop of young Nigerians to go into entrepreneurship and in turn employed others,’’ he said.

Jonathan said that though his administration did not block all the loopholes, it came up with strong innovations to fight corruption.

According to him, we introduced the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and the Treasury Single Account (TSA) which has helped to reduce corruption.

“Government is run by policies, the creative thinking, brains in the executive council and in the civil servants were harnessed to get to where we are.

“If elected in 2019, PDP will fight poverty and ensure that food prices are reduced,’’ he added, and urged Nigerians to partner the party to restore good life in the country. (NAN)

August 12, 2017
Buhari’s health critical to APC government’s vision, says Ajomale

The Chairman of the Forum of APC States Chairmen, Chief Henry Ajomale, on Wednesday declared that the health of President Muhammadu Buhari is critical to the vision of the ruling APC government.

He said this while addressing State House correspondents after the All Progressives Congress state chairmen’s meeting with the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, at Aso Villa.

According to Ajomale, who is the Chairman of the party in Lagos State, the Forum discussed at length the situation in the country and “then our anxiety for the health of the President.”

“We are grateful that God in His infinite mercies has made him whole which is very critical and important to the vision that we have for this country as APC government.”

He explained that the Acting President was able to brief the forum about the situation in the country, the economy, and steps taken so far to address the challenges facing the country.

“We are very impressed with his explanations and we will go back to our various states and let the people know that the government has very good intentions.

“And that we should be part and parcel of the government in order to ensure that the poor people of this country are getting better deal.

“In a nutshell, we are very happy for what we heard from government and we intend to carry it to our states,’’ the forum chairman said.

On the specific issues discussed, Ajomale said members expressed concerns about the economic situation in the country.

He noted that the situation was not totally the fault of government since it was a global problem with the economic recession taking its toll on every country.

He expressed delight that the Buhari administration was trying to diversify the economy following a slump in oil prices.

Ajomale said:“We also discussed diversification into agriculture, especially rice production, the level of children’s welfare (Home Grown School Feeding programme).

“And then we talked about corruption also which is the key among the problems that the president is particular about.

“I think that the people of this county are particular about this too that corruption cannot continue and a systemic method had been put in place to ensure that it is cut down.

“Although it is not totally eradicated but it is far better than what we had during the President Goodluck Jonathan regime.”

August 3, 2017