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Tag: Jonathan

  • Insecurity: Jonathan meets governors, security chiefs

    Insecurity: Jonathan meets governors, security chiefs

    … Oritsejafor,  Sultan also at the parley

    As part of ongoing efforts to find lasting solution to security challenges in the country, President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday met with state governors and security chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Also at the meeting which started at 12.10pm were – the President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ayo Oritsajafor and the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar III.

    The governors at the meeting include – Sariake Dickson (Bayelsa), Wille Obiano (Anambra), Theodore Orji (Abia), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara) and Gabriel Suswam (Benue).

    Others were – Martin Elechi (Ebonyi) Abdufatai Ahmed (Kwara), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Liyel Imoke (Cross Rivers) and Ramalan Yero (Kaduna).

    Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Tanko Almakura (Nasarawa), Saidu Dakingari (Kebbi), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), and Idris Wada(Kogi) were in attendance.

    The acting governor of Taraba State, Umar Garba, also attended the meeting, while Oyo, Kano, Rivers, Imo, Edo, Yobe, Ogun, Plateau and Jigawa States were  represented by their deputy governors.

    Others at the meeting are – Vice President Namadi Sambo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; Service chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar; the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki and the Minister of Defence, Aliyu Gusau.

    Heads of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Nigeria Immigration Service represented their various agencies  at the meeting.

     

  • Terror: Jonathan hails Buhari

    Terror: Jonathan hails Buhari

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday praised General Muhammadu Buhari for his call for national unity against terrorism.

    Reflecting on Buhari’s views on terrorism and insecurity as contained in an article published in the media, Jonathan described his remarks as statesman-like.

    According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President believed that the position taken by General Buhari was that of a patriot, respected former head of state, revered elder statesman and nationalist.

  • Jonathan ‘won’t get automatic ticket’

    Jonathan ‘won’t get automatic ticket’

    A PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) National Executive Council (NEC) member and Chairman of the Jigawa State chapter, Alhaji Salisu Mamuda Ku’it, has said the party would not give President Goodluck Jonathan an automatic ticket for the 2015 election.

    Ku’it addressed reporters yesterday in Dutse, the state capital.

    He said: “There is no portion of the party’s (PDP’s) constitution that allows an automatic ticket to any member for any position.”

    The party chairman said the PDP was popular among Nigerians because of its manifestos and performance by its members.

    Ku’it said: “PDP is a party that has internal democracy, where all members enjoy equal rights.

    “An automatic ticket is a violation of PDP’s constitution and a breach of its internal democracy. That can lead to internal crises which would give the opposition the upper hand.

    “It’s not only President Jonathan; any other member (of the PDP) should stop thinking of an automatic ticket for any elective position. Candidates would be chosen on the basis of their popularity, after contesting against one another.

    “It is an unpopular aspirant who thinks and pursues an automatic ticket. This time round, the party leadership would also stick to its constitution and the electoral law to ensure a lasting democracy in the country.”

  • Jonathan, governors and Boko Haram

    Jonathan, governors and Boko Haram

    With the deployment of more bomber jets, equipment and troops to the stronghold of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states mid last year, it was expected that the deadly attackers would have been eradicated by now.

    Also the news last year that the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau sustained fatal gunshot injuries during gun battle with the Nigerian troops and later died gave Nigerians a false hope that Boko Haram and other terrorists’ acts will soon be a thing of the past.

    Even after changing the Service Chiefs early this year, President Goodluck Jonathan had insistently promised that the tempo against terror will change and the menace would be brought to an end.

    When Air Marshal Alex Badeh took over from Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim in January as the new Chief of Defence Staff, he initially declared that the issue of Boko Haram and other acts of terrorism will come to an end before April this year. He later denied the statement.

    But now, we are more than half way into the month of April and it seems as if the insurgency is on the rise.

    Boko Haram and other terrorist groups that appeared to have been restricted to the Northeast of the country for several months, struck Monday last week at a bus park in Nyanya in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    While official deaths from the attack alone have been put at 75, many eye-witnesses and early arrivals at the scene of the bomb blast maintained that over 300 persons must have died from the attack.

    Just as Nigerians and the international community were still mourning over the latest bomb attack in Abuja, news filtered on the same day in the night that over 100 secondary school girls have been abducted by the insurgents in Borno State.

    With the latest attacks, some Nigerians have observed that the insurgency is on the rise because the government is not adopting the right approaches to the issues and that past recommendations, including those of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, headed by Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Kabiru Turaki, were not implemented.

    Other observers have also faulted the government for its inability to unmask the sponsors and financiers of the insurgency over the years despite making arrests of key members of Boko Haram and other groups.

    Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, who has majorly been at the receiving end of the attacks, had recently declared that the insurgents are better equipped and well-motivated to carry out the evil attacks than the Nigerian troops. But the Federal Government refuted his claims.

    A more worrisome development was the initial statement last week by the Defence Headquarters that only eight out of the 129 reportedly abducted school girls have not been rescued. The statement was later countered by the same Defence Headquarters.

    The school community in Borno State had, at the weekend, claimed that only about 14 of the school girls escaped from their abductors and those others are still missing.

    This calls to question the quality of information being passed to the President by the security agencies.

    Another grave allegation with a tendency to work against Nigeria’s success over the insurgents is the claim that some key military men in the Nigerian troop are working hand-in-hand with the insurgents.

    Worried by the upsurge of the insurgency, not only was the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting last week mainly devoted to the attacks last week, President Jonathan also summoned state governors and the National Security Council for a meeting in Abuja over the security challenges.

    The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, at the end of FEC meeting last week, maintained that Nigeria is currently faced with one of the worst forms of terrorism across the globe.

    Also speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the security meeting between Jonathan, governors and service chiefs, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum and Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio said: “Mr. President graciously listened to us and he said since it is a national issue, we must have all the 36 governors in attendance.

    “So, I believe strongly notice will be going out and all governors will be meeting with Mr. President and service chiefs Wednesday next week so we can sit and discuss and proffer solutions to the current insecurity in the country. I believe it will come to an end.

    “We must face the situation and it is not something we can politicise, you don’t politicise security. All hands must be on deck. The entire country, every single Nigerian must contribute his or her quota towards bringing the current situation to an end.

    “I believe that if you are not a soldier, you can also be an informant. And, of course, you know that this thing is becoming like an HIV. If you are not infected, you are affected. Your children are also involved, your grand children and relations. If people are now attacking schools to disrupt the lives of children, how will you not be concerned? A market woman is affected when motor parks are being bombed. So, there is no way any governor in Nigeria will not be concerned and will not show interest.

    “In bringing this situation to an end, all Nigerians must know that we must be our brother’s keepers as far as security is concern,” he said.

    With Jonathan’s next security meeting with state governors fixed for tomorrow and other new strategies to be adopted, it is hoped that the ongoing killings will be stopped and total peace and harmony restored to the country.

  • 2015: Governors give PDP, Jonathan three conditions

    2015: Governors give PDP, Jonathan three conditions

    Protest votes threat rocks ruling party over automatic tickets, others

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors have given three conditions to back President Goodluck Jonathan’s yet-unannounced re-election bid.

    The conditions are:

    •allowing outgoing governors to choose their successors;

    •automatic second term tickets for those running first term in office; and

    •automatic senatorial seats for governors aspiring to be in the Senate.

    Although Jonathan is set to emerge the sole presidential candidate of the PDP, all is not well within the party on how to meet the demands of the governors, a source told The Nation.

    Some of the governors are threatening protest votes in their states if they are not allowed to have their way.

    PDP National Chairman Adamu Muazu is said to be battling to manage the situation.

    Muazu, who is opposed to automatic tickets, has to devise means of accommodating the agitation of the governors, a source said.

    Of the 36 states, PDP has 18 governors. APC has 16 governors. APGA and Labour Party have one apiece.

    Some of the governors believed to have senatorial ambition in 2015 or being prevailed upon to go to the upper chamber are Liyel Imoke of Cross River; Theodore Orji (Abia); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) ; Sullivan Chime (Enugu); Martins Elechi (Ebonyi); Gabriel Suswam (Benue); Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta); Babangida Aliyu(Niger); Ibrahim Shema (Katsina); Saidu Dakingari (Kebbi); Jonah Jang(Plateau); and Isa Yuguda(Bauchi)

    Those seeking second term are Henry Seriake Dickson(Bayelsa); Ramalan Yero(Kaduna); Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe); Idris Wada( Kogi)- when due; Acting Governor Garba Umar ( Taraba);

    There has been disquiet in the party on the demands of the governors.

    A governor said: “All the governors are united in their demands to have a say on who will succeed them and second term tickets for their colleagues who still have the opportunity of another term in office.

    “They said if the President can enjoy automatic second term ticket, it should spread across the board.

    “The party is thinking that such a development will shut out other good hands in the party.

    “But most of us do not buy into that argument at all. We believe whatever is sauce for the goose ought to be sauce for the gander.”

    Responding to a question, the source said: “The likelihood of realignment of forces and protest votes cannot be ruled out.”

    Another governor said there was no way the party would not make concessions to allow the second term ticket of the President to sail through.

    “The PDP leadership may say there is no automatic ticket but there will certainly be negotiations to make certain things to work. Mark my words, the PDP governors cannot allow Jonathan to have his way without anything in return. This is politics,” said the governor, who requested not to be named.

    “We are back to the 2003 era when ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo wanted the second term ticket. Governors want to be politically relevant after leaving office and fairness demands some concessions.

    “We have been making our demands known to the party. We hope it will accommodate these agitations to keep the party intact for 2015 poll.”

    The National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, was unavailable last night. His mobile lines were switched off.

    But the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu had on January 28 declared at the National Assembly that there would be no automatic tickets for members seeking offices in 2015.

    Muazu spoke at a session with PDP members in the National Assembly.

    At the meeting were Uduaghan, Imoke, Shema, Yero, Aliyu and Orji.

    Muazu said automatic tickets were only given by parties that were undemocratic.

    “We have a democratic process and we will go through that; those that deserve it will surely get it,” he said.

    Muazu stressed that he inherited no records of any promise made by the immediate past national chairman of the party, Bamanga Tukur, of giving automatic ticket to any member.

    A member of the NWC, who spoke last night, said: “Neither Muazu nor PDP has changed its position; there will be no automatic ticket for any member in 2015.

    “I can tell you that our position against automatic ticket has not changed.”

  • Kano: Kwankwaso tackles Jonathan

    Kano: Kwankwaso tackles Jonathan

    Following exchange of verbal missiles between President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso during the last Unity Rally of People’s Democratic Party in Kano, Kolade Adeyemi in Kano, takes a fresh look at the chances of the APC and PDP in the forth coming elections

    Since August 31st last year, when the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had the controversial Special Convention in Abuja that heralded the walk-out of G-7 governors and eventually the birth of the New-PDP, things have continued to fall apart between President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Kano State Governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.  Several meetings held to settle the rift between Kwankwaso and Jonathan failed and at the last count, the Kano state governor left PDP with his supporters and joined the All Progressive Congress (APC), a party he has continued to describe as one that was established with the same political philosophy as his—the Kwankwassiyya. At different occasions, Kwankwaso, who is alleged to be having an eye at the presidency in 2015 has continued to cast aspersions at President Jonathan’s leadership style which to him come short of what should be expected from a president of the largest country in Africa. To many, Kwankwaso’s major grouse against Jonathan is that he refused to succumb to the PDP ‘Gentleman’ agreement that barred him from re-contesting in 2015, as it was said in the agreement that power should return back to the North.

     Jonathan’s enmity with Kwankwaso took a dangerous dimension last Tuesday when the President attended the PDP Unity Rally held at the Polo Ground in Kano and organised to formally welcome former Governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau into the PDP.

    Before Jonathan’s arrival, Kwankwaso fired the first salvo when he declared that the government and people of Kano State will not welcome Jonathan and his entourage to Kano because the President has been “useless” to the state and its people.

    Kwankwaso further declared that Kano people will not welcome Jonathan, stressing that he has not done anything to better the lot of Nigerians since he assumed leadership of the country. He also regretted voting for Jonathan in 2011 elections, alleging that the president has disappointed Nigerians. “I am regretting for voting President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 Presidential Election, as he has done nothing to move the nation forward”, he alleged, adding that since Jonathan assumed office, nothing has been done towards the development of the nation.”

    According to him, “under Jonathan, corruption, insecurity and embezzlement of treasury have become the orders of the day.

     ”Only a few people are enjoying in Nigeria at the expense of the generality of the citizenry” Kwankwaso said, lamenting that despite the President’s glaring inadequacies, he is bent on being re-elected in 2015,

    Making real his threat, Kwankwaso shunned Jonathan as he visited the state. But Jonathan fired back at Kwankwaso during the PDP Rally, saying Kwankwaso never voted for him, just as he vowed that come 2015, “PDP must recapture Kano.” President Jonathan also challenged Kwankwaso to account for over N225 billion Local Government funds he received from the Federal Allocation within two years.

    “We read in some of the daily newspapers that the Governor of Kano State, Kwankwaso, said he regretted voting for me. Let me tell my good people of Kano that Kwankwaso did not vote for me or Vice President Namadi Sambo whether in the primaries or the main election. We have accommodated a lot, but we talk less. Those of you from Kano in PDP knew what happened, that when we entered that Eagle Square; by the time the counting got up to half-way—when it was clear that I was to emerge as the candidate, Kwankwaso left the venue.

    “Even the little money my campaign office provided for refreshment and transportation for Kano delegates,Kwankwaso refused to give them that money. He did that so that the Kano delegates would be angry, so that they would not vote for me. Even in the main election, the little money my campaign office sent to Kano State, Kwankwaso refused to release that money to anybody; now, how can Kwankwaso tell me that he voted for me,” Jonathan wondered.

    The President also expressed astonishment at the insinuations that the federal government abandoned Kano people, saying, “some of you will be asking questions why is it that today, your President is not wearing the PDP dress; I decided to appear this way because there is somebody here in Kano who has been campaigning that the person wearing this bowler hat is a devil. I am here to tell you briefly what the federal government has done to Kano people and I want you to ask yourself whether such a person who has been able to do all these things for you is a devil.

    “Federal Government has taken Kano as a major focus for its agricultural transformation agenda. The farmers of Kano are benefiting enormously from Federal Government Growth Enhancement Scheme. In the last two years, a total of 760,000 farmers in Kano State have benefited from the Federal Government’s subsidized fertilizer programme and free improved seeds for maize and rice.” Jonathan also said that over 70 percent of Kano farmers are benefiting from federal government’s fertilizer subsidy scheme also stated that within a period of two years, about 76, 000 metric tons of subsidized fertilizer have been supplied to Kano farmers.

    Jonathan also used the occasion to send his condolence to the families of those who lost their lives in last Monday’s Abuja bomb blast. “Let me at this point express my deepest condolence again to the family members of those who lost their lives in the bomb blast in Abuja on Monday. I was at the scene of the incident, I also visited the hospitals, but I was so shocked that I couldn’t even talk. Again, I express my condolence to the direct family members of the victims and, indeed, the whole country; and I want to re-emphasize that terror will not stop Nigeria from moving. We will continue to move from strength to strength. We also continue to encourage security agencies. We are looking at different options and we promise Nigerians that we will do our best and we will continue to do our best to make sure that we live peacefully in this country,” Jonathan said just as he expressed appreciation to Kano people for the warm reception accorded to him, saying, “let me thank the good people of Kano State for the reception. From the airport to this venue, people lined up to welcome us.”

    While formally welcoming Shekarau, Jonathan described him as a man of the people, “you all know Shekarau very well. He is the man of the people. When he was a governor, he was a member of ANPP, I visited him two or three times as the Vice President of the PDP; but because Shekarau is a Nigerian, a well-learned man, an intelligent man, he received me in all the occasions I came here.

      “These are the kind of people that Kano needs to project and follow. We thank Shekarau for joining the PDP today. He is fully welcomed and fully integrated into the party,” Jonathan said. Mallam Shekarau during his speech, described the day as memorable and promised to protect and promote the interest of the Kano masses so long as he remains in politics no matter the party platform.

    “As long as I remain in politics, I will be dedicated and do all within my ability and capability to remain loyal to the party so as to do everything within our power to show our solidarity and support to the party. I wish, first of all to pledge my commitment and that of my new members who made the choice to join PDP with me; to work ardently together with the party to achieve the ideals of democracy, inclusion and development to which our dear party, PDP, is committed at the local, state and national level.”

    Dramatically, immediately Jonathan and his entourage left the Polo Ground, venue of the rally, Kwankwaso, his cabinet members and APC elders in Kano stormed the Polo Ground with brooms in their hands, sweeping away, “the dirt PDP brought to Kano.”

  • Anambra Bishops to Jonathan: Your security efforts not enough

    Anambra Bishops to Jonathan: Your security efforts not enough

    Two Catholic and Anglican Bishops in Anambra State yesterday told President Goodluck Jonathan to do more to secure lives and property across the country in the face of increasing terror.

    The Anglican Archbishop on the Niger and Bishop of Aguata Diocese,the Most Reverend Christian Efobi, and the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese,the Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, said government’s efforts so far have proved to be inadequate.

    Ezeokafor who addressed newsmen at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Awka, said that this week’s abduction of about 100 students of the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, in Borno State and the bomb explosions at Nyanya, Abuja in which at least 75 people died were clear indications that more needs to be done by government to protect the citizens.

    Both are believed to be the handiwork of terrorists.

    Ezeokafor charged Nigerians, especially security agents, to rise up to their responsibilities.

    He said: “We should free ourselves from those things that are holding us back.Enough efforts are not being made, and I believe that if more efforts are put in place by those in authority, things will not be the same again.

    “Nigerians must be together; that is the way God has made it and the National Conference is the best thing that has happened to this country in many years, if the people will put the interest of the nation first without greed and corruption which has been the bane of our society.

    “They should discuss everything to know where our problems are, but what I do not like is the idea of no-go areas.How do we arrive at our problems and getting to solve them?

    “Governance is a very difficult thing in Nigeria. Those in authority have done their best, but that is not enough for now.We have not arrived anywhere, though there is no perfect society in the world, but more efforts should be put to remedy this kind of situation,” he said.

    The Anglican Archbishop of the Niger, the Most Rev Christian Efobi, asked Nigerians to use the Easter period to pray for peace, progress and unity of the Nigeria nation.

    Efobi, who is also the Anglican Bishop of Aguata Diocese, asked the federal government to beef up security everywhere in the country, especially in the North.

    Condemning the Nyanya bomb explosions and the Borno abduction of girls from school by Boko Haram,Efobi said that prayers should be held for President Goodluck Jonathan to enable him actualize his agenda for the country.

  • Jonathan, family at Good Friday service, pray for an end to Boko Haram’s attacks

    Jonathan, family at Good Friday service, pray for an end to Boko Haram’s attacks

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday, on the occasion of Good Friday, led his family and other Christians in a prayer session seeking an end to Boko Haram’s reign of terror in parts of the country.

    They also prayed for peace across the country.

    The service held at the Presidential Villa chapel was anchored by the Reverend Obioma Onwuzurumba.

    Intercessory prayers were said for Nigeria and Nigerians, especially as the country is going through trials following incessant attacks by terrorists.

    The church prayed that the bomb blasts in the land would come to an end and that the transformation agenda would not be derailed.

    Other worshippers were the President’s mother, Eunice, and others.

    The nine lessons were shared out as usual and read by key members of the congregation who also took time out to share exaltations from the scriptures and lessons.

    The lessons and preaching were interspersed with melodious traditional songs as well as praise and worship

    Reverend Onwuzurumba described the death of Jesus as unique and said it was designed to reconcile man with God and called on all the Christian faithful to continue to reflect on the things they heard after leaving the chapel to enjoy the Easter holiday.

  • Jonathan shifts security meeting

    Jonathan shifts security meeting

    President Goodluck Jonathan rescheduled yesterday another meeting with governors over rising insecurity.

    The meeting will take place next Wednesday.

    The Presidency on Wednesday, through a statement by presidential spokesman Dr. Reuben Abati, invited governors and the National Security Council for a meeting yesterday to discuss insecurity.

    Although it was thought that all the governors were to attend, only the PDP governors turned up at the First Lady’s Conference Room, State House venue.

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the two hours meeting, PDP Governors Forum Chairman and Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio said only PDP governors were invited for yesterday’s meeting.

    All the governors will be invited for the rescheduled meeting, he said.

    A statement by the Interim National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, explained the absence of APC governors.

    The party said the governors of APC-controlled states were given the impression that the meeting had been called off, hence they did not attend.

    ‘’On Wednesday, the Presidency called the Chief Detail of the Kwara State Government to say that the meeting had been called off. On the basis of this information, which apparently got to other governors under the aegis of the APC, our governors did not attend.

    ‘’Now that the meeting has been held, it is incumbent on the Presidency to launch an investigation into the source of the call to the Kwara State Government and what the call was meant to achieve.

    ‘’Irrespective of the totally unfounded and absolutely irresponsible allegation that the APC is behind the escalating security situation, our party will not shy away from any serious effort to end the terrorist attacks in our country. Therefore, it is not true that our governors shunned the meeting with the President,’’ the APC said.

    After the President met the Service Chiefs and Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar in his office, they all moved to the First Lady’s Conference Room where governors were already seated.

    Governors at the meeting were: Gabriel Suswam(Benue), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi) Ramalan Yero (Kaduna), Isa Yuguda(Bauchi), Theodore Orji (Abia), Ibrahim Dankwanbo (Gombe).

    Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Willie Obiano (Anambra), Idris Wada (Kogi), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Sule Lamido (Jigawa) and Sullivan Chime (Enugu).

    Also at the meeting were Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Olusegun Mimiko(Ondo), Garba Umar (Acting Governor Taraba), Deputy Governor John Jonah (Bayelsa) and the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State.

    Others at the meeting were Vice President Namadi Sambo, Defence Minister Aliyu Gusau, State Security Service (SSS) Director-General Ita Ekpeyong; Minister of Interior, Abba Moro; National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim.

    Akpabio said: “This is a fallout of our meeting which we held with PDP governors and we felt that there was a need for us and to meet with security chiefs. Mr. President has listened to us even said that since it is a problem that involves all the states of the federation, it is better for all the governors to be in attendance. Because of that, he has graciously agreed to meet with all the 36 states of the federation on Wednesday by 4pm.

    “Of course, you know we are very much concerned, first as PDP governors and the centre belongs to the PDP and so we felt that we should see our dear president and if need be, with some of the security chiefs.”

    “He has graciously listened to us and he said since it is a national issue, we must have all the 36 governors in attendance. So I believe strongly a notice will be going out and all governors will be meeting with Mr. President and service chiefs next week Wednesday so we can sit and discuss and profer solutions to the current insecurity in the country. I believe it will come to an end,” he said.

    On the state of emergency that will expire in the three Northeast states tomorrow, he said: “No, he didn’t go into details with us. Of course you know that it is a national issue and if you discuss it and as you know you can’t shave a man’s head behind him. The governors of the states that are involved in emergency are not here. So I believe that issue will be taken on when all the governors are around on Wednesday.”

    Asked why the APC governors were not at the meeting, he said: “No, no, no, they were not invited. You know there was an initial requisition of this meeting by the PDP governors; this was as a fallout of our own meeting. And so it wasn’t something that was extended to all and that is why I said they have been invited on Wednesday. We just wanted to meet with our president and some service chiefs to air our views and also make some suggestions. Now he is insisting, which is right too, that it is a national issue because it must be handled nationally and that is why all the governors must be here.”

    Explaining why LP Governor Mimiko and APGA Governor Obiano attended the meeting, he said: “You know there was initial call for governors to attend, I invited them. But Mr. President has invited them.”

    Confident that all governors will be at next week’s meeting, he said: “I don’t think there is a governor who will not love to be here to also add his voice and suggestion on how we can tackle the current situation. We must face the situation and it is not something we can politicise, you don’t politicise security. All hands must be on deck, the entire country, every single Nigerian must contribute its quota towards bringing the current situation to an end.

    “I believe that if you are not a soldier, you can also be an informant. And, of course you know that this thing is becoming like an HIV, if you are not infected you are affected. Your children are also involved, your grand children and relations. If people are now attacking schools to disrupt the lives of children how will you not be concerned? A market woman is affected when motor parks are being bombed, so there is no way any governor in Nigeria will not be concerned and will not show interest.”

    “In bringing this situation to an end, all Nigerians must know that we must be our brothers keepers as far as security is concern,” he stated.

    Abia State Governor Theodore Orji said: “We undertook an essential discussion on the security of the nation that is exactly what we did. Details are not for public because they are security issues. Of course, no governor is happy with what has happened but bear in mind that the meeting is at the instance of the PDP governors.

    “We took a decision when we went to Jigawa and we requested the president to invite us to a meeting with the security chiefs. That is why we are here. We initiated the meeting,” Orji said.

  • Jonathan reschedules meeting with governors

    Jonathan reschedules meeting with governors

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday rescheduled another meeting with governors over rising security challenges in the country for next week Wednesday.

    The Presidency had on Wednesday, through a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, invited governors and the National Security Council for a meeting on Thursday over insecurity in the country.

    But all the governors under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were conspicuously absent when the meeting started at 2.00pm at the First Lady Conference Room in the State House.

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the two hours meeting, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forumand Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, said that only PDP governors were invited for Thursday’s meeting.

    According to him, all the governors of the 36 states of the federation will be invited for Wednesday’s meeting.

    He said: “This is a fall out of our meeting which we held with PDP governors and we felt that there was a need for us and also meet with security chiefs. Mr. President has listened to us and even said that since it is a problem that involves all the state of the federation, it is better for all the state governors to be in attendance. Because of that he has graciously agreed to meet with all the governors of the 36 states of the federation on Wednesday by 4pm.”

    “Of course you know we are very much concerned first as PDP governors and the center belongs to the PDP and so we felt that we should see our dear president and if need be with some of the security chiefs.”

    “He has graciously listened to us and he said since it is a national issue we must have all the 36 governors in attendance. So I believe strongly notice will be going out and all governors will be meeting with Mr. President and service chiefs next week Wednesday so we can sit and discuss and proffer solutions to the current insecurity in the country. I believe it will come to an end.”