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Tag: Jonathan

  • Gang up against PDP will crumble – Jonathan

    Gang up against PDP will crumble – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan declared on Tuesday that the opposition ganging up to wrestle power from the ruling People’s Democratic Party in 2015 would crumble.

    The President stated this at North-West zonal rally of the PDP tagged Unity Rally held at the Ranchers Bees Stadium in Kaduna.

    Jonathan told the audience not to be troubled over the gang up, stressing that the PDP would emerge victorious.

    “We are told that some people are ganging up in different names and we assure you not to be bothered about any gang up.

    “From 1999, there was a gang up. Two to three parties came together; Presidential candidate from one; vice presidential candidate from one; Secretary to Government from one; all from different parties.

    “But they did not go anywhere. They ganged up before. They failed and they will continue to fail. The gang up will go, just like when you mix different acidic contents in a container.

    “Do not be worried; it is not a new thing; they will continue to gang up but they will continue to fail,’’ he said.

    He said the North-West geo-political zone, comprising Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara and Sokoto states, belonged to the PDP.

    Jonathan assured that come 2015, PDP would not only retain the four states controlled by the PDP, but would take over Zamfara, Kano and Sokoto states controlled by the opposition.

    The President underscored the importance of the North-West zone in the political setting of the country having 25 per cent of the entire population of the country.

    The President said that the unity rally was not a political campaign but a gathering designed to re-unite the party members and to welcome new members.

    “The North-West is a special zone. This is the only zone that we have seven states and the zone that has the highest population in this country.

    “We are here for a unity rally and to re-assure all of you that the PDP is the only party that can lead this country to the next level’’, he said.

    The President noted that in the history of great political parties known in the globe, “they do not change everyday like a rock passing through metamorphorsis.’’

  • A leap of faith

    A leap of faith

    If it seems any measure of the hunger in the land for talks – the Jonathan National Conference must have surprised itself at the roll call of delegates. For a conference without a guarantee of a definitive outcome, it has, surprisingly, thus far, managed to surpass expectations in terms of membership. As it appears, initial scepticisms about what the enfeebled body could achieve appear to have worn off; it seems that not even the contrarians in the South-west could resist the pressure to send their first eleven. At last, Nigerians have a platform to address some of the nagging questions about our statehood. Here, at last is our Eureka moment!

    Issues about the conference of course remain, starting with the question of what the conference seeks to achieve. For not only is the so-called Nigerian malaise over-diagnosed, the issue really has never been one of shortage of prescriptions to get the Leviathan working. This is where the coming days should be exciting as the delegates meet to chart their idea of the way forward.

    I do not think anyone disputes that a sizeable chunk of the problems facing the nation are of a constitutional nature. Indeed, majority of Nigerians would appear to have resolved that the present constitution, as amended, is federal only in name. This extends to the structure of relations between the constituent units in the Nigerian federation. At least, majority of citizens would seem agreed that the bizarre fiscal architecture that it has spawned –under which rent is rewarded while mutually assured poverty is guaranteed – is a prescription for disaster.

    The same goes for the awesome power of the Nigerian presidency in the face of retreating state institutions – something that makes the Nigerian presidency near absolutist – possibly the most powerful in the whole wide world. Add all of these to the humongous cost of governance that leaves paltry little for development, the incipient micro nationalism tearing at the heart of the nation’s unity in the atmosphere of increasing diminution of effectiveness of state power and authority could only be the end game.

    The point therefore cannot be over-made about the need to re-examine the structure of the union to guarantee its future survival. After 100 years of forced cohabitation, the signs of stress to the union are too palpable; they have grown to such extent that we can only ignore the symptoms only to our collective peril. Even without the now palpable weakened capacity of the Nigerian state to secure lives and property in the face of the renewed scourge of the Boko Haram and the unrelenting militancy in the Niger Delta that has seen oil production plummet by nearly one-filth in the last one year, the reality on the main street –by this I mean youth unemployment, rising poverty and the harsh reality of de-industrialisation – leaves little room for denials. These days, all we hear are claims of “progress” on all fronts; the truth however is that Nigeria is in far deeper trouble than anyone would care to admit. Nigeria sits precariously on the edge.

    Where does the National Conference idea fit in the survival mix? That is the tough question. Not even the convener, the federal government, pretends to have the answers. Nigerians don’t either. It is simply taken that the journey would lead somewhere –a leap into the abyss of faith – minus work.

    With due respect to the eminent body of 492 wise men and women many of them distinguished by any measure, I personally suffer no illusions about what their efforts would come to. My problem with the charade is the lie that the Jonathan National Conference, an extra-constitutional body, would dare to tread where the National Assembly– a body that enjoys constitutional legitimacy – dread. Whether the issue is the fundamental alterations of the structures of government described as devolution of powers, or routine matters of governance, I do not see the conference, short of staging a coup d’etat, imagining at any point that it could supplant the National Assembly. Which of course makes the suggestion that the conference could proffer binding resolutions wishful. Even at that, the requirement that resolutions could only be carried by consensus or majority 75 percent vote renders the prospects of any agreements not just potentially problematic but nigh impossibility. Not only are cleavages too deep, there are far too few areas that the contending groups in the polity have found agreement.

    How about the more practical approach, the less fractious and potentially far more productive route of the on-going amendment with additional focus on revamping our institutions to curb the brazen outlawry dispensed by the PDP in the name of governance?

    As attractive as it appears, that prospect offers possibilities that are unlikely to be far-reaching enough. Can you think of the national parliament that has had nearly the whole of 15 years to tinker with the awesome fiscal powers of the federal leviathan but did nothing suddenly finding the good sense in taming own unbridled appetite and that of the executive? Think it would ever happen? Not now – or in the foreseeable future. So how does the Jonathan conference propose to surmount the hurdle?

    Is the National Conference therefore entirely useless? Not really. The conference would no doubt help to foster some degree of understanding among the disparate groups on a number of contending issues. Indeed, some of the resolutions may well come handy in the amendment process since, again, it is the National Assembly that has the final say on the outcome of the process. The important point is – this is hardly the time to dwell on the lie that the National Conference can offer Nigerians something that it is not in a position to do.

    I don’t want to go into the question of whether the outlay of N7 billion voted for the conference is money well spent. To me, it is a matter of opinion. If you ask me, what is N7 billion in the self-help republic where officials routinely help themselves to billions of naira from the public till with no adverse consequences; a republic which lately reported a lone official allegedly chalking up N10 billion in air charters?

    Where is the way forward? I wish I, or anyone for that matter, know. Not when the Nigerian thief has stolen more than the owner can pretend not to notice. As it appears, the myth about Nigerians’ infinite capacity to bear pain has some substance after all.

     

     

  • 2nd Niger Bridge to gulp N117 billion, says Jonathan

    2nd Niger Bridge to gulp N117 billion, says Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan Monday, performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the 2nd Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State estimated to cost N117 billion.

    Speaking at the occasion, he said that the project to be handled by Messrs Julius Berger-NSIA Consortium has been programmed in compliance with the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission Act, and the Public Procurement Act.

    According to him, no stone has been left unturned to ensure its success considering the several unsuccessful attempts by past administrations.

    He said: “The Federal Government is executing this project under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for a concession period of 25 years, precisely, through a ‘Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT)’ model.”

    “We are confident in the capacity and competence of the Concessionaire, Messrs Julius Berger-NSIA Consortium, to deliver on this project, at the construction cost of about N117 Billion Naira.”

    To ensure timely delivery of the project, he said that the Federal Government has made a commitment to contribute 25 per cent of the construction cost, in the sum of N30 Billion.

    Recalling that the project was part of his electoral campaigns promises in 2011,  he commended outgoing Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan and all the people and host communities for their patience, understanding, support and cooperation in the realisation of the commencement of the project.

    He said further: “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, as we commemorate our centenary of nationhood, it is my firm belief that this bridge will deepen national integration and also enhance economic and social interaction among other parts of our country and the South-East.”

    “As part of our administration’s Transformation Agenda in the road sector, we have set out to construct two very important new bridges, across our Nation’s two great rivers – the River Niger and River Benue. These are the Loko-Oweto Bridge linking Nassarawa and Benue States, which is progressing satisfactorily, and this 2nd Niger Bridge, connecting Anambra and Delta States.”

    “The 2nd Niger Bridge, whose foundation we are laying today, represents a strategic national infrastructure, with great socio-economic prospects for the contiguous States, and indeed, for the entire Nation. It is an important economic artery that will connect the great markets of Onitsha and Aba, as well as the industrial hub of Nnewi and beyond, to both the Northern and Southern parts of our country.”

    “On completion, this bridge, which is being constructed almost 50 years after the existing bridge opened to traffic, will alleviate the pains experienced by travellers as a result of congestion of the old bridge, particularly during festive periods. It will massively improve road transportation in the South-East of Nigeria, and also reduce travel times substantially, in this part of the country.”

    On the national conference, said: “Next week, in Abuja, I shall be inaugurating the National Conference, and it seems appropriate that this bridge, and the Conference, two major emblems of National cohesion, are being inaugurated within the same period. I would like to assure you all that every effort will be made to ensure that this 2nd Niger Bridge is delivered.”

     

  • No surprise Nigeria stagnated for decades

    No surprise Nigeria stagnated for decades

    Much more than the mileage the Jonathan presidency hoped to achieve with the emblazoning photograph of past Nigerian rulers wearing their medals and displaying their centennial award certificates late last month, the picture actually tells a far more poignant and iconic story. There were seven of them: Abdulsalami Abubakar, Muhammadu Buhari, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, Shehu Shagari, Ibrahim Babangida and Ernest Shonekan. Smack in the middle was, of course, President Goodluck Jonathan himself. Given his predilection for sham celebrations, it is surprising he did not seize upon the same argument of the centenary to award himself a certificate of honour. In any case, Dr Jonathan was the only one in the pictures published on March 1 newspapers not brandishing a certificate. Others dutifully wore their medals and/or displayed their certificates, thereby indicating their concurrence with the queer and questionable philosophy behind the centenary as well as the disgraceful rational for picking the honourees.

    The photograph, though powerful and resonating, nevertheless tells the very depressing story of futile uniformity and lack of rigour. It tells the story of former rulers whose unquestioning perspective and fondness for the meretricious led them to embrace a project as wasteful as it is truly and totally mendacious. None of the seven questioned the ideological basis for the centenary, nor joined issues with the financially oblique accounting system that made the celebrations possible. None of them was politically conscious enough to appreciate the centenary’s distortionary effects on our history and identities. There was none of them with enough sagacity to disprove the base and conflicting logic that underlined the compilation of the list of honourees, thus indicating that the former rulers were insensitive to their own individual legacies and unable to disambiguate legacy as a word and concept.

    The group photograph of former rulers should illustrate the power and glory of Nigeria, of our best men and leaders, of the rich custodians of our politics, culture and essence. Instead, the group photograph illustrated something so surrealistic it is a miracle the country has not collapsed under the weight of their collective obscurantism. They had no idea what our history says, of how we were humiliated and traumatised with a lasting injury by colonialism, of how Lugard’s foundational rule and years of self-misrule combined to misshape our values and enthrone a vicious form of mental and economic slavery. It was therefore okay by them to celebrate, and to carry out that sickening exercise in company with one another, the liar with the perjurer, the tyrant with the murderer, the inept with the experimentalist.

    The photograph inferentially tells the numbing story of how and why the country decayed so badly for decades, and by their admission, now needs revolutionary work to salvage, if indeed, as one of them said, it can still be salvaged. If they could not question Dr Jonathan’s frivolity and rebuff it, if they did not understand the history of the country they led for decades, and if they were unable to share its pains and sorrows, how indeed could they fashion brilliant and workable plans for its development and greatness? How could they make it the pride of the black race? To participate in Dr Jonathan’s revelry, they must have gone to extraordinary lengths to muffle their consciences, and to shut the tap of remorse which a clear mind and ample soul sometimes lead a decent man and patriot to demonstrate.

    The photograph of the eight men reminds us how our country was ruined. Gowon dishonoured his word and rendered it impotent; Shagari’s stolidity and indulgence clogged the national arteries until we choked; Buhari had little or no appreciation of the rights and freedoms of man, and how man is ennobled by these attributes; Babangida was the inappropriate watershed between the age of innocence and the age of vice, as he gave birth to the worst in us; and Shonekan was the bemused and amoral inheritor of a stolen legacy. Abubakar’s misguided and messianic reign produced the highly schizoid Obasanjo who had, and still has, no capacity for differentiating between truth and falsehood. And Obasanjo archetypically begat meddlesomeness in such a manner that the country’s ruin was complete under his predecessors.

    Yes, it was just one simple photograph published in newspapers. But, alas, it told a million sad stories, unknown to the former rulers who lined up quizzically for the photograph on February 28, and perhaps unfeeling.

     

  • Jonathan’s campaigns

    Jonathan’s campaigns

    In last few weeks President Goodluck Jonathan, PDP National Chairman, Ahmadu Muazu and a whole armada of ruling party bigwigs have been crisscrossing the country holding political rallies to welcome defectors from other parties, and lay down the marker for what is shaping to be a bruising general election in 2015.

    They were in Sokoto to welcome former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa. In Owerri they celebrated the return to PDP ranks of the likes of ex-Governor Achike Udenwa, Senator Chris Anyanwu and others. The train has since visited Kwara where Jonathan made pointed remarks about the Saraki dynasty. Yesterday, they rolled into Minna for another of such rallies.

    Interestingly, Minna is the home turf of a one-time member of the rebel G-7 governors, Babangida Aliyu. He is the same man who regaled us with tales about the existence of a one-term pact between Northern leaders and the president.

    Speaking a few days before the rally he not only said Jonathan would not make a 2015 declaration in Minna, but also that the president wasn’t actually campaigning.

    Really? Given the speed with which Aliyu repented of his G-7 ‘rebelliousness’ it is not surprising that he would say anything in defence of his new cause. During these rallies Jonathan does not discuss Keynesian economics: he talks pure, undiluted politics. We don’t need anyone to tell us that the president is bending the rules and campaigning even before the race has been flagged off. Thankfully, he has the police on his side.

  • Jonathan, Amaechi divide UNIPORT alumni association

    Jonathan, Amaechi divide UNIPORT alumni association

    The feud between President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Rotimi Amaechi has crept into the University of Port Harcourt Alumni Association, which they both belong to, reports Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

    President Goodluck Jonathan and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi are alumni of the prestigious University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT). Their feud has now divided the institution’s Alumni Association.

    The President is seeking re-election in 2015 and the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, is at the forefront of the campaigns.

    Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), is accused of having vice-presidential ambition in 2015, which he has denied, stating that he would prefer to return to his alma mater (UNIPORT) to lecture in the English Department.

    Jonathan and his foot soldiers are still in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while the Rivers governor and four other governors recently defected to the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), vowing to produce the president in 2015.

    The National President of the UNIPORT’s alumni association, Chief Ike Chinwo, insists he is still the helmsman, but some members of his executive claimed he had been replaced with the First National Vice-President, Chief Edward Ngene.

    While addressing reporters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Chinwo expressed surprise over his purported removal.

    He said the attempt by some members of his executive committee to excuse him from performing his functions and that by the doctrine of necessity, the first national vice-president should act, amounted to an impeachment, which, he insisted, the executive committee lacked powers to do, as enshrined in its constitution.

    He said: “The process of impeachment of the National President and indeed any National Officer is clearly spelt out in Article 11, Section 2 of our constitution, which we all swore to uphold.

    “It is pertinent to state that none of these steps has been taken, neither was any written allegation received at the last executive committee meeting held on February 7, 2014 at the national secretariat.

    “Even if any allegation was received, in line with the provisions of our constitution, it is only the National Executive Council, comprising the Branch Presidents that can initiate any of those processes.

    “Worse still, it was shocking to read from the papers that my only offence is my membership of a political party, other than their preferred one, which they all belong.

    “My fundamental right of association and holding of political opinion is enshrined and protected in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.

    “It is nonsensical and smacks of impunity for anybody to want to punish me by whatsoever guise, for exercising that right. It is an assault on my integrity and that of our unique Alumni Association and must be condemned by all and sundry.”

    Chinwo also stated that the alumni association is a non-partisan, non-religious, non-ethnic and non-profit organisation, with members of varied background and opinion.

    He noted that since his election on February 16, 2013, he had tried to reposition the alumni association, but had personally been very careful and mindful of the sensibilities of the members and avoided acting in a partisan political fashion in the performance of his duties.

    The national president also said: “I wish to state that I remain resolutely committed to the wishes of the entire members and the goals of the Alumni Association.

    “I call on all members (of the Alumni Association) to discountenance the ill-advised statement by some members of the executive committee, purporting to imply removal, suspension or whatever name so called, as they lack the powers and their actions, procedurally defective.”

    Chinwo also pleaded with all members of the UNIPORT’s alumni association to remain steadfast, assuring that attempts were being made to call everybody to order and resolve all the issues amicably.

    Eleven aggrieved members of the executive committee of the alumni association, who mostly hail from Bayelsa State or are Ijaw as President Jonathan and loyal to the Otuoke, Ogbia LGA-born politician, had earlier announced the removal of the national president.

    The aggrieved executive members include Ngene; the Second National Vice-President, Don Nwabueze; National Secretary, Chris Adokeme; National Treasurer, Kate Wilcox; National Financial Secretary, Yusuf Aminu and Provost, Chief R. O. Olorunshola.

    Others are the Public Relations Officer, Chris Oji; National Organising Secretary, Paul Abbey; National Ex-Officio. Uduak Ewitat; Assistant National Secretary, Frank Agharra and the National Editor-in-Chief, Mark Tony Nwakile.

    Copies of the communiqué of the aggrieved officers’ meeting were sent to the Chairman of the UNIPORT’s Governing Council; the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ajienka; and the university’s Registrar.

    Others copied were the UNIPORT’s alumni association’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), alumni representative on the governing council and all state chapter presidents.

    The aggrieved executive members of the alumni association said: “Our National President, Chief Ike Chinwo, be excused from presidential functions, to enable him pursue his political ambition.

    “The UNIPORT Alumni Association can no longer stand by and allow the destruction of the association, as a result of the deep and embarrassing partisan political activities of its National President.

    “While Chief Ike Chinwo has the indisputable fundamental rights to associate with any political party of his choice, such rights cannot be expressed to the detriment of the overall interest of the association. The association restates its commitment to fiercely remain a politically non-partisan organisation.

    “The National Executive Committee has lost confidence in the ability of Chief Ike Chinwo to pilot the affairs of the association along non-partisan political path and thus pass a vote of no confidence in him.

    “Subsequent upon our decision, we ask Chief Chinwo to proceed on sabbatical and in line with the Doctrine of Necessity, the First National Vice-President, Chief Edward Ngene, is to act as the National President, pending the approval by Council and Congress.”

    The aggrieved executive members also urged the members of the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the 2014 Appropriation Bill, while lauding President Jonathan and the National Council of States for the approval of the national conference.

    They commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the early release of the 2015 electoral time table, while expressing confidence in the commission’s ability to organise free, fair and credible elections.

    Politicians should sheathe their swords and stop heating up the polity, in order to move the nation forward.

     

     

  • Jonathan’s Kwara visit

    Jonathan’s Kwara visit

    •There are more pressing issues to keep a serious President busy than going to receive defecting politicians

    President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to Kwara State has come and gone, but the avoidable hullabaloo generated would for long be subject of rational public discourse. Before his visit to that ‘State of Harmony,’ there were palpable fears that a clash might ensue between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the centre controlling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The fears were not unfounded as the police reportedly showed tinge of partisanship when it invaded the premises of a printer engaged by APC to produce street signposts and destroyed his equipment, carting away over 300 signposts of the APC.  Mr Ambrose Aisabo, the state’s police commissioner later unsatisfactorily defended his action: “We had information that APC was planning to print several posters and use it to deface that of Mr. President and we went there and indeed we saw several thousands of posters that they had printed. We impounded them but the people explained to us they had no plan of defacing the posters of Mr. President and I now warned them and allowed them to go with their posters …I am not against anyone pasting posters but I am against when people use it to deface those of others … so it is not true that anyone has been detained because we have released all of them,” he reportedly declared.

    We want to admonish the police to be cautious in acting on phantom intelligence reports in the future so that it would not be found wanting, dancing naked in the political arena. After all, the nation has not easily forgotten the injurious ways to which his colleague, Mbu Joseph Mbu, deployed the police during his infamous reign as police commissioner in Rivers State. Otherwise, the police in Kwara could be rightly assumed to have acted premeditatedly since neither the ruling APC nor its members fomented any trouble during the president’s visit to the state.

    As much as the police’s act is condemnable, we consider more despicable the motive behind President Jonathan’s visit to the state. Solomon Edoja, chairman, caretaker committee of the PDP in the state reportedly said that the President came personally to the state to welcome defectors into the PDP fold. And surprisingly, the President was actually in the state to do just that. How ridiculous this was at a period when the country was mourning the despicable killings of innocent pupils and their teachers in Yobe State, and other subsequent barbaric killings by the Boko Haram sect! So, the President is less busy at his duty post that what he now engages his otherwise precious time on are petty partisan assignments such as welcoming defectors into his ruling PDP in states across the federation.

    We still cannot fathom any tinge of decorum in why the President, despite the enormous insecurity, epileptic power supply, battered economy and serious corruption ravaging the nation would engage in uninhibited political escapades. This presidential political visit, because it is not a state visit to Kwara, to attend a so-called ‘Unity/Freedom rally’ is nothing but a denigration of the office of the President by an incumbent that ought to protect the sanctity of that post.

    The President will do well by deploying his precious time on policies and actions that would give Nigerians value for their money being expended on him and his government. Nigerians want solutions to problems facing the nation, not unnecessary political trips.

     

  • Sports Minister sacked as Jonathan bows to pressure

    Sports Minister sacked as Jonathan bows to pressure

    Minister of Sports Bolaji Abdullahi was sacked yesterday over alleged security reports which indicated that he did not identify with the Peoples Democratic Party’s aspiration to dislodge the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, The Nation last night.

    The Presidency was angry that Abdullahi told the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the PDP in the state that he is not a politician and distanced himself from the party’s activities, a source said.

    Due to his apolitical nature, Abdullahi did not make any statement at the PDP rally in Ilorin on Monday, a development which infuriated President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice-President Namadi Sambo.

    One of the reports also alleged that he was seen in the company of ex-Governors Bukola Saraki and Danjuma Goje, who are chieftains of the APC.

    Another report faulted Abdullahi for allegedly breaching protocol by coming late to the palace of the Emir of Ilorin on Monday when the President was already seated.

    According to sources, the Presidency was not happy that Abdullahi stayed away from the PDP when as a cabinet member he was aware that the President is nursing a second term ambition with Kwara State as a target.

    It was learnt that some Presidency officials and Kwara PDP were uncomfortable with Abdullahi’s alleged refusal to contribute to the funding of the ruling party in the state.

    A source said: “It is unfortunate that the President bowed to pressure to sack one of his best performing and result-oriented ministers, based on ‘petty’ security reports.

    “The Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the PDP in Kwara State and his executives and stalwarts of the party had been complaining that Abdullahi refused to identify with the party in the state.

    “Although Abdullahi was not found to be romancing with the opposition, PDP stalwarts felt the ex-Minister shunned their party in order not to confront his godfather and mentor, ex-Governor Bukola Saraki.

    “They alleged that even if Abdullahi was apolitical, he could be funding PDP secretly as a pay-back for the opportunity given him to serve the nation by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “They sold a dummy to the President that Abdullahi was working against his re-election in 2015 and the success of PDP.

    “At a point, the PDP Caretaker Committee reported Abdullahi’s activities to Vice-President Namadi Sambo, especially the ex-minister’s ‘I am not a politician’ declaration.

    Sambo was said to have exclaimed, “This boy again!”

    One of the key organisers of the PDP rally in Kwara State, who spoke on the phone with our correspondent, said: “We knew the game was up for the ex-Minister on Monday when he failed to openly identify with us at our rally. He did not make any statement to link him with PDP.

    “Also, he came late to the Emir’s Palace on Monday during a visit to the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari. I think he stayed away to avoid tension, which could mar the visit following security reports that some PDP members wanted to disgrace him. He was advised to keep off but the same advice was used against him.

    “Even when he was invited to be part of the rally, he said he might not be around because he was going for World Indoor Athletics Championship. It took a lot of caution to persuade him to stay for the rally.

    “So, we see him as not adding value to PDP electoral fortunes in 2015 and we made the President to realise on Monday. In fact, while at the VIP stand, a former member of the State House of Assembly openly confronted Abdullahi to the hearing of PDP stalwarts and other dignitaries.

    “Some party members wielded placards against Abdullahi at the rally amid chanting of slogans. At a point, the President asked what they were saying and they told him that the party members wanted Abdullahi sacked.”

    Another source linked Abdullahi’s removal to a security report indicating that he was seen in the company of ex-Governors Bukola Saraki and Danjuma Goje.

    The source added: “Security report showed that he was with Saraki and Goje, who are opposition leaders, at odd hours.

    “The government was not happy with such a meeting and it felt Abdullahi should step aside.”

    A pro-Abdullahi source said: “The ex-minister had been apolitical since he was in the cabinet of Saraki. He did not play politics as a commissioner in Kwara State.

    “As a matter of fact, he was the only commissioner who never went to the airport in Ilorin to receive Saraki as a governor. He concentrated on his job.”

    The Kwara State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) said yesterday that Abdullahi’s sack is sacrificing excellence on the altar of politics.

    In a statement by its interim publicity secretary, Sulyman Buhari, the APC said: “While we concede the fact that Mr. President reserves the powers to hire and fire, in the exercise of such powers however, international best practices demand that excellence and competence should not be traded on the altar of politics.

    “That a President could sack a performing Sports Minister three months to the World Cup speaks volume of the quality of the Nigerian presidency. This nature of politics is anti-people and anti-development.

    “It bears repeating that the achievements of Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi are known to Nigerians and can hardly ever be captured by any book. As the minister of sports, he steered the ministry’s ship to stardom and catapulted the nation’s sports sector to world class standard.

    “His leadership heralded successes in Paralympics Games, 18th National Sports Festival (EKO 2012), 2012 Senior African Wrestling Championships in Morocco, 2012 Senior Africa Weightlifting Championships in Kenya, Boxing, Basketball, African Cup of Nations (AFCON), Under – 17 World Cup and qualification for World Cup 2014 in Brazil, to mention a few.

    “Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi is the most successful Sports Minister in recent times and, arguably, the best minister in the Federal Executive Council (FEC). By this sack, the President Jonathan administration has lost what is remaining of its credibility.

    “Though Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi is not a member of our party, but as an indigene of Kwara State, we are proud of his great achievements at the Ministry of Sports.”

  • Jonathan swears in 11 Ministers

    Jonathan swears in 11 Ministers

    President Goodluck Jonathan completed yesterday his reform of the defence architecture in the battle against Boko Haram, with the inauguration of Gen. Aliyu Mohammed Gusau as Minister of Defence.

    Jonathan replaced his Service Chiefs in January and appointed a new Chief of Defence Staff to step up the anti-insurgency war in the Northeast states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, which are under emergency rule.

    No fewer than 500 people, including pupils attacked while sleeping, have been killed in the last two months.

    The defence portfolio has been vacant since Haliru Bello was removed in June, 2012 following a spate of attacks.

    Gen. Gusau, a one-time Chief of Army Staff has twice served as National Security Adviser (NSA).

    Jonathan appointed him NSA in 2010, but he left months later to bid against Jonathan for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket in 2011.

    Gen. Gusau’s appointment is expected to raise the bar of the government’s approach to the battle against Boko Haram.

    Apart from Gen. Gusau, the President swore in 10 other ministers.

    He sacked Minister of Sports Bolaji Abdullahi and replaced him with Dr. Tamuno Danagogo.

    Abdullahi was not at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. The President did not announce his departure. He only swore in a replacement, leaving room for guessing whether Abdullahi, a former Minister of Youth, would be reassigned.

    Presidential spokesman Reuben Abati later confirmed to reporters that Abdullahi had been relieved of his duties.

    Abdullahi was said to have travelled to Poland where Nigeria’s athletes are participating in the World Indoor Athletics Championships.

    Julius Ogunro, Abdullahi’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, said: “As I am talking to you I am not sure he (Abdullahi) has even got the message of his sack, because he is air borne on his way to Poland for the World Athletics Indoor Championship.

    “The man tried his best for sports. He is the best person I have ever worked with.”

    Aviation and Education ministries have no ministers yet.

    Dr. Jonathan said new ministers would be appointed next week.

    Other ministers inaugurated yesterday are:

    Ambassador Aminu Wali (Minister of Foreign Affairs), Mohammed Wakil (Minister of State for Power) and Abduljelili Oyewale Adesiyan (Minister of Police Affairs). Mrs. Akon Etim Eyakenyi (Land and Environment), Laurencia Labaran Mallam (Minister of Environment), Asabe Asmau Ahmed (Minister of State for Agriculture), Boni Haruna (Minister of Youth Development) and Dr Khaliru Alhassan (Minister of State for Health) also took the oath of office.

    Wali was Nigeria’s ambassador to China.

    Jonathan urged the ministers to see their appointments as a public trust and truly serve the people.

    He said: “At the end, if you cannot say that you have brought innovations to your ministry, then you have failed. If you are not able to detect errors in the ministry, then you have failed. It is your responsibility to make positive changes.”

  • Glo league club celebrates Minister’s sack

    Glo league club celebrates Minister’s sack

    AN unnamed official of one of the Globacom Premier League clubs has welcomed the sacking of the Sports Minister, Malam Bolaji Abdulahi.

    Abdulahi was a victim of Wednesday’s minor cabinet reshuffling after President Goodluck Jonathan named Tamuno Danagogo from Rivers State, as the new Minister of Sports.

    According to the official while speaking in a chat with SportingLife stated that: “Let me speak for my club, we were in a celebration mood when the news broke about the sacking of the Minister of Sports.

    “He may have done well for sports, but he made a mess of the country’s domestic league when he didn’t take a firm stand as regards the domestic league and was biased when he vetoed the elongation of the Nnduka Irabor’s League Management Committee (LMC) tenure regardless of the call by clubs that elections must be conducted into the board.

    “This led to a series of season kick-off cancelations and at the end our clubs playing in the CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup are suffering from it.

    “Except for Warri Wolves and Bayelsa United, Kano Pillars you know have been knocked out, and we don’t know the fate of Enyimba either. It’s all because no league for the past five months.

    “Now that he (Abdulahi) is gone, the fresh peace the 20 clubs want in the Globacom Premier League has now come.

    “His sacking has now given us the club owners the avenue to now sack the LMC whom we consider as illegal.”

    Recall, the 2013/14 season is expected to commence Friday.