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Tag: Jonathan

  • Ijaw youths decry Jonathan godson’s comments on security

    Ijaw youths have blasted Mr. George Turnah, the godson of former President Goodluck Jonathan following rising insecurity in Ogbia, Jonathan’s council in Bayelsa State.

    They decried Turnah’s remarks about a security meeting convened by the Chairperson of the council, Naomi Ogoli, to find a solution to security issues in the area.

    Gunmen have been operating in Ogbia, killing and abducting unsuspecting residents and looting valuables.

    Besides killing policemen at a checkpoint, the gunmen stormed some communities and shot dead some residents.

    Officials of the state government from the council including the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, were said to be looking for permanent solutions to the insecurity.

    Ogoli was said to have called stakeholders to discuss the insecurity.

    Turner, however, criticised the meeting, particularly the aspect that passed a vote of confidence in Governor Seriake Dickson for his kind gesture to the council.

    But youths under the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide said Turner contributed to the violence in the council and lacked moral rectitude to speak on the matter.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Turner for alleged criminal diversion of multi-billion naira reportedly paid to him during Jonathan’s Presidency for unexecuted projects in the council.

    The Vice-Chairman, IYC Central Zone, Mr. Amiebi Turner, described the remarks as misleading and aimed at discrediting attempts to forestall crime in the council and curb violence.

    He said: “First let me remind George, that he is one of the architect of the situation bedevilling Ogbia today, if George had done things properly without diversion of projects and contracts meant for Ogbia people, we would have had no need to be holding meetings to restore peace in our once peaceful abode.

    “You all can attest that the Ogbia we have today has totally degenerated into almost a state of nature; lawlessness now breeds; crimes walks with two legs untamed and police stations are now locking up once it’s 7:30pm.

    “The situation has become terrible. it is based on this, that the meeting was called and in course of our deliberations and solutions generation, that we observed that the N1bn infrastructural development funding given by the government to the LGA, was remarkable and if more is done, it would greatly ease our woes.

    “One good turn they say deserves another. We, therefore, after other observations, commended the governor and passed a vote of confidence in him, believing he would do more, especially as we are faced with threats”.

    The IYC deputy chair said the meeting principally discussed solutions to security challenges such as killings, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

    He said: “Development and security is everybody’s business, if government and indigenes play their roles, we would arrest this ugly trend.

    Therefore, it’s glaring and obvious that George acted out of jealousy. He has totally lost relevance and the people have lost confidence in him. I believe his remarks were to malign and smear the image of the Chairperson and the LGA administrative leaders, thereby seeking for cheap popularity which he never got.”

  • Search for unity begins in Jonathan’s home

    Search for unity begins in Jonathan’s home

    All is not well with Ogbia, the Local Government Area of former President Goodluck Jonathan. The main problem with the council is disunity. The council has been speaking in discordant tunes, especially on political matters. In fact, the disunity was more pronounced during the last governorship election in the state.

    But analysts traced the recent problems in Ogbia to the period the council occupied the Presidency. Instead of uniting them, the Presidency tore them apart. Ogbia sons and daughters, who benefitted from proximity to then President Jonathan and the corridors of power, failed to help the council. They selfishly amassed wealth to the detriment of others, who had no access to the Aso Rock Villa.

    Majority of Ogbia people were disconnected from Jonathan’s favourites, who were supposed to use their vantage positions to provide expected leadership. Close associates of Jonathan harvested, stored and ate all the carrots while the unfortunate majority either groped in hunger or struggled and battled for crumbs that fell from overflowing baskets.

    The worst that happened to Ogbia was the squandering of their common patrimony. Being a privileged council, Ogbia attracted contracts from interventionist agencies, federal parastatals and ministries. Various projects amounting to over N200bn were reportedly awarded to Jonathan’s men for the development of their council. But no job was done.

    The money allegedly developed wings and flew into the private accounts of the contractors. Even the former President did not help matters. Jonathan could not demonstrate the required will to coordinate the development of his local government area.

    Little wonder, Ogbia remains the most underdeveloped local government area in the the state despite producing people who spent over eight years at the Presidency. Ogbia lacks all the basic amenities. It has no road, no water, no electricity and colonial bridges still dot the council. In fact, there is no road to get to Otuoke, the community of Jonathan.

    But all seems to be changing following the efforts of an Ogbia rising star, who has been working assiduously and selflessly to return the council to the path of unity.

    Commissioner for Information and Orientation Daniel Iworiso-Markson has made the oneness of Ogbia a crucial part of his agenda. The commissioner, who hails from Opume area of the council has been initiating and bankrolling all activities and programmes that could bring his people together.

    Iworiso-Markson has enabled the majority of his Ogbia people to realise the identities of their real enemies. Most of them now know that contrary to the earlier narratives, the Governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson, is not against their progress.

    They now understand that their main detractors are their brothers and sisters, who had presidential opportunities to develop their council and empower them but chose to develop only their families, bank accounts and stomachs.

    Indeed, Iworiso-Markson’s emerging leadership in the council is being supported by all the appointees of the governor from the council. The commissioners for Chieftaincy and Community Development, Chief Saviour Ibegi; Special Projects, Chief Fred Obua; Power, Chief Jim Ogbolo; Caretaker Chairperson, Ogbia, Naomi Igoli and the Director-General of Bayelsa Investment Promotion Agency (BIPA), Ms Patience Abah, are all behind him.

    Iworiso-Markson is also receiving the support of the Restoration Ogbia Caucus Leader, Chief Okiriyan, who has continued to pour encomiums on him. In fact, the Information Commissioner has also received the royal blessings of his monarch, the King of Ogbia, HRM King Dumaro Owaba.

    Even the youths from the council through the efforts of the recently appointed Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Matters, Mr. Osaanya B. Osaanya, are rallying round Iworiso-Markson to bring the council together.

    There is no gainsaying that the commissioner has won the hearts of the youths, women and the elderly ones in the council through his decision to introduce a football tournament in the council. The mascot for the maiden edition of the football competition tagged, “Governor Dickson Unity Cup, the Ogbia Challenge”, was recently unveiled in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    The competition, the brainchild of Iworiso-Markson, was initiated to douse tension; discover budding football talents; deepen brotherliness and ensure political cohesion in the beleaguered local council ahead of the forthcoming general election.

    Already, the competition is achieving its objectives. Youths from various communities in Ogbia have organised themselves into 32 football teams. Those who were enemies because of their political leanings embraced one another. The ongoing tournament is conquering territories and penetrating isolated areas. It has kept the youths busy and taken their attention away from social vices, drug abuse and cultism.

    At the inauguration of the mascot, Iworiso-Markson said the game of football was selected because of its unifying factor. He said football has won the hearts of many people as most of them belong to different football clubs.

    He dwelled on the importance of unity for peace, development and progress. He insisted that nothing could be achieved in an atmosphere of rancour adding that unity remained a catalyst for communal growth and development. The former Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to governor Dickson insisted that every Ogbia person must avoid divisive tendency and work together in the spirit of oneness.

    The commissioner also called on the youths to shun cultism, hard drugs and other social vices. He asked them to channel their energy to productive ventures. He said the Ogbia challenge was developed to teach the youths the importance of engaging in productive and healthy ventures. He urged persons with soccer talents to develop them and earn a living from them.

    Iworiso-Markson  said the competition would not end at the hosting level. He had made all arrangements to ensure the identification and promotion of budding talents among the competing youths. Persons picked would have the opportunity to advance their careers in soccer within and outside the country.

    He said: “I want to make it clear that it will not just end in hosting the competition, we will support the most valuable player to play in reputable clubs within and outside the country.

    “So this is an opportunity for our youths to make themselves available. It is a means to stardom, to fame and if you like prosperity. So I urge all our youths who still engage in social vices like cultism to put an end to that. This is the time for us to be more united and collectively ýdefine our future as a people”.

    The commissioner said in the course of the tournament, some ex-internationals would visit the state to watch some of the games and encourage the youths. “The final of the competition will be truly grand with mouth-watering prizes alongside the trophies for the three best teams”, he said.

    But he gave the credit to his boss, Governor Seriake Dickson. He said the governor supported and inspired the initiative following his love for youths. He said the governor has always demonstrated his desire for youths to realise their full potential. He, however, appealed to the youths to reciprocate the gesture by shunning all forms of social vices, cultism and drug abuse.

    While unveiling the mascot, the Obanoban of Ogbia, His Royal Majesty Charles Owaba, harped on the unity of his kingdom.  He urged the Ogbia people to embrace one another. He said Ogbia should be a one big family to attract development. The monarch praised all the efforts of Iworiso-Markson. He said the commissioner has continued to pursue unity and peace in the kingdom.

    He said: “Those who seek the good of the land will prosper and I urge Ogbia elites to emulate the Information commissioner’s gesture in order to secure a good future for the Ogbia youth.”

    Commissioner for Special Projects Fred Obua said the competition would bring unity to Ogbia, expressing optimism that the tournament would produce the “Ogbia Ronaldo” and “Ogbia Messi”. He encouraged all the youths in the council to participate actively in the programme and commended Iworiso-Markson for the initiative.

    In his remarks, the Restoration Ogbia Caucus Leader, Chief Okiriyan described Daniel Iworiso-Markson as a genuine Ogbia man who loves the Ogbia people. Okiriyan said the innovative performance of Iworiso-Markson had marked him out as a young man with a bright future with vision for unity.

    The Caretaker Chairperson of Ogbia, Naomi Igoli, described Iworiso-Markson as a man with broad heart and love for people. “I am happy for you having this vision”, she said. She promised to work with the commissioner to realise his vision of unity.

    Ogbia leaders harped on the need for unity among the Ogbia people and thanked Iworiso-Markson for the initiative.

     

  • Jonathan’s wife, banks trade blame over funds trapped in 10 accounts

    Jonathan’s wife, banks trade blame over funds trapped in 10 accounts

    Former First Lady Patience Jonathan, some firms and groups linked to her and their bankers are engaged in a blame game over their inability to retrieve huge sums trapped in the banks in the wake of a freezing order obtained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Mrs. Jonathan, the firms and groups accused the banks – First Bank, Skye Bank and Diamond Bank – of withholding their funds despite an order of court vacating the freezing order. But the banks argued that the way the ex-First Lady and others sought to retrieve the trapped funds violated existing financial regulations.

    The firms and groups include: Incorporated Trustees of Ariwabai Aruera Reachout Foundation, Fagmat Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, Finchley Top Homes Limited, AM PM Global Network Limited and Magel Resort Limited.

    Others are: Incorporated Trustees of Women for Change and Development Initiative Nigeria, Seagate Property Development Investment Company, Globus Integrated Services and Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited.

    Although the total amount involved could not be immediately ascertained at the weekend, some documents filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja revealed the distribution of the accounts.

    Mrs. Jonathan is said to own the account marked:  2022646664 with First Bank, with a balance of about $3.6million ($3,626, 273.71). Globus Integrated maintains account: 210002269 domiciled in Skye Bank.

    Incorporated Trustees of Ariwabai Aruera Reachout Foundation, Fagmat Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, Finchley Top Homes Limited, AM PM Global Network Limited and Magel Resort Limited are said to maintain accounts: 0024351569, 0026838491, 0019213687, 0026718889, 0024351590 with Diamond Bank.

    Also, the Incorporated Trustees of Women for Change and Development Initiative Nigeria is said to maintain three accounts: 0035481691, 0025879578 and 0019213632 with Diamond Bank.

    Mrs. Jonathan, the firms and groups are contending that the banks’ alleged refusal to release the money amounted to flouting the December 5, 2017 order of a Federal High Court in Abuja, vacating the freezing order got by the EFCC on May 30, 2017.

    They subsequently initiated contempt proceedings against the banks’ heads, who they accused of disobeying the December 5, 2017 order by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which was to the effect that the freezing order obtained by the EFCC on the affected accounts has lapsed.

    Mrs. Jonathan, the firms and groups stated, in a supporting affidavit filed with the committal application, that they attempted to make withdrawals from the accounts after the December 5, 2017 order, but were denied access to the accounts by the banks.

    They added: “The respondents/contemnors all refused to obey the court order and thus, bluntly refused to pay the applicants or allow them operate their accounts. Despite the service of the orders and Forms 48 and 49 of this court on the respondents/contemnors, they have bluntly refused to obey the orders of this honourable court.”

    They prayed the court to commit the bank chiefs to prison for “the persistent and flagrant disobedience of the order of this honourable court made on the 5th of December 2017 in suit No: FHC/CS/821/2016 between Incorporated Trustees of Ariwabai Aruera Reachout Foundation and 10 others vs. EFCC.”

    Dr. Adesola Adeduntan (described in the application for committal as the Group managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, First Bank); Mr. Tokunbo Abiru (Chief Executive Officer, Skye Bank) and Uzoma Dozie (Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Diamond Bank) have denied any wrong doing.

    The bank chiefs claimed that their banks complied with the December 5, 2017 ruling unfreezing the accounts. They have also challenged the competence of the contempt proceedings.

    In a counter-motion, Adeduntan challenged the competence of contempt proceedings on grounds of incompetent service. He argued that no processes in relation the proceedings were served on him personally as required by law.

    The First Bank CEO denied flouting any order of the court. He stated that his bank has complied with the December 5, 2017 order and has lifted the restriction on Mrs Jonathan’s account with the bank.

    In a supporting affidavit, First Bank stated that “upon confirming the authenticity of the order of court and advice from its legal department, the bank forthwith complied with the order of court by defreezing the account on 16th December 2017.

    “This was communicated to 11th judgment creditor/respondent (Mrs. Jonathan) vide a letter dated 18th December 2017. The bank also informed the 11th judgment creditor/respondent that its management had taken a decision to close the account with it and therefore requested her to provide the details of an account into which the balance in the said account should be transferred.

    “Upon receipt of the letter, the 11th judgment creditor/respondent and her counsel, Granville Abibo (SAN), vide letter dated 20th December 2017 respectively informed the bank that the 11tth judgment creditor/respondent could not provide detail of any account into which the balance in her defreezed account with the bank should be transferred and thus demanded that she should be paid in cash.

    “The bank, having complied with the order of court to unfreeze the account, no longer owe the 11th judgment creditor/respondent any obligation as regard assisting her to violate the provisions of the Money Laundering Laws of Nigeria and normal banking practice of delivering foreign currency in large quantum in cash.

    “In response to letters dated 20th December 2017 the bank, vide letters dated 21st December 2017 to the 11th judgment creditor/respondent and her counsel respectively, informed them of the bank’s inability to accede to their request for cash payment, but advised that a bank cheque will be issued in the name of the 11th judgment creditor/respondent for the balance in the unfreezed account if she fails to provide detail of account into which the said balance should be transferred on or before 4tth of January 2018.

    “In response, the 11tth judgment creditor/respondent and her counsel respectively informed the bank that the 11tth judgment creditor/respondent does not have any account in her name where monies can be transferred and would prefer cash to be paid to her as the lodgements made into that account were done in cash.

    “The 11th judgment creditor/respondent further wrote the bank on 277th December 2017 supplying three separate accounts of her counsel, telling the bank that the said sum be paid into those three named accounts of solicitors who are third parties and the balance paid to her in cash.

    “In line with the bank’s letter of 21th December 2017, upon the failure of the 11th judgment creditor/respondent and her counsel to provide any account detail in her name to transfer the funds in her unfreezed account, the bank on 17th January 2018 issued, in her name, a bank cheque no: 014602 in the sum of $3,626,273.71 representing the total balance in her account with the bank, less applicable charges.

    “Further to the above, the bank also informed the 11th judgment creditor/respondent and her counsel vide letters dated 17th January 2018 to visit a designated office of the bank in Abuja to pick up the cheque. The 11th judgment creditor/respondent refused to collect the letter, but her counsel received his own copy,” the bank said.

    Meanwhile, Mrs. Jonathan, the firms and groups have taken steps to frustrate a renewed move by the EFCC to have the accounts frozen again. They have challenged the competence a fresh motion filed by the EFCC to that effect.

    They urged the court to strike it out for not only being incompetent, but constitution an abuse of court process. They noted that the EFCC has among others, filed similar application before the Lagos division of the Federal High Court.

    When the two cases marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/821/2016 and FHC/ABJ/CS/1207/2017 came up last Friday, the court could not take any of the pending application because the EFCC was not represented.

    Justice Nyako noted that the EFCC was served with a hearing notice just the previous day, which the judge said was insufficient.

    Following agreement by lawyers in the cases, including Mike Ozekhome, SAN, (for Mrs. Jonathan), Justice Nyako adjourned further proceedings to April 11.

  • Jonathan, IBB, Shagari absent at Council of State meeting

    Jonathan, IBB, Shagari absent at Council of State meeting

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan, former military President, Ibrahim Babangida and ex-President Shehu Shagari were conspicuously absent at the time the Council of State meeting started at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

    The former leaders present when the meeting started at few minutes past 11:00 a.m. were Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd) and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd).

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo arrived after the national anthem and the opening prayers were said.

    The meeting was the third Council of State meeting held under President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Also at the meeting are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Chief Justices of Nigeria and Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

    Governors of Adamawa, Benue, Kebbi, Jigawa, Delta, Lagos, Nasarawa, Abia, Sokoto, Imo, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Kano, Plateau, Ogun, Rivers, Zamfara, Ebonyi and Kaduna States are also attending the meeting.

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, was absent when the meeting started.

    The meeting started when President Buhari arrived the Council Chamber and went round the place to shake hands with those present.

    The first meeting under Buhari was held on October 21, 2015, while the second was held in September 2016.

    The National Council of State is chaired by President Buhari, with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo as Deputy Chairman.

    The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

  • ‘Jonathan, wife instructed me to convert dollars to naira’

    ‘Jonathan, wife instructed me to convert dollars to naira’

    Former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to ex-President Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, yesterday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that all the foreign currencies he gave to a Bureau De Change operator to convert to naira were given to him by his bosses.

    Testifying during a hearing on a suit filed by Mrs Jonathan, Dudafa said he merely carried out instructions.

    The former First Lady sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for placing a no-debit order on her Skye Bank Plc accounts with $15.5million. She is praying the court to unfreeze them.

    Justice Mohammed Idris had directed parties to give oral evidence on the money’s ownership.

    Dudafa, while being cross-examined by EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo after adopting his witness statement on oath, said he only “relayed” the instructions he was given.

    Oyedepo asked him: “Do you know Festus Iyoha and Peter Arivim?” Dudafa said: “Iyoha was a steward attached to the President and Commander-in-Chief. I also know Peter Arivim. He was also a steward attached to President Jonathan.”

    Oyedepo said: “You gave them hard currencies to take to a Bureau De Change operator, Abubakar Murtala.”

    Dudafa responded: “It was not limited to Iyoha and Peter. I don’t have power to instruct anyone. I could only relay the instruction of the President or his wife to any available aide, including Festus and Peter.”

    Oyedepo insisted that it was Dudafa who instructed the aides to convert the money. The witness said: “I relayed different instructions from the President or his wife.”

    Oyedepo said: “I put it to you that you gave dollars to Mr Murtala,” to which Dudafa responded: “So many times the President and his wife gave me instructions to hand over the dollars.”

    When Oyedepo suggested to Dudafa that he was the one who personally handed the dollars to the aides, the witness agreed.

    “The physical handing over was done by me although I received instructions from the President or his wife,” he said.

    Oyedepo said: “I put it to you that $1million and other amounts were given to you,” to which Dudafa responded: “I don’t know if it was $1million”.

    Asked if he was in constant contact with the BDC operator, the witness answered in the affirmative.

    Justice Idris adjourned until March 26.

  • Order of polls: Jonathan backs National Assembly

    Order of polls: Jonathan backs National Assembly

    The National Assembly has a strong supporter in ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on its decision re-ordering the sequence of the 2019 elections.

    Jonathan said the new arrangement was in order and would go a long way in ensuring that more quality people are elected at all levels.

    Majority of the members of the two chambers of the National Assembly want election into the Senate and the House of Representatives to come first next year and the presidential election last.

    “Holding presidential election first will affect the quality of persons that will emerge in other polls because of the bandwagon effect,” Jonathan said yesterday when he granted audience to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Prince Uche Secondus,  and members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) at the Jonathan Foundation in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    He said the decision of the Assembly will help in the election of quality persons into various positions.

    Jonathan made his feelings known

    A statement by the  PDP National Chairman’s spokesman, Mr.  Ike Abonyi, quoted  the former President as advising the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) to abide by the decision of the National Assembly.

    Jonathan asked the APC to see the proposed order of  elections “from national and patriotic interests since laws are not meant for persons in power at a particular time.”

    He said he is even looking forward to a time when presidential election in Nigeria will be conducted differently from the others.

    He was optimistic that the PDP will return to power in 2019, saying: “I believe that the PDP will return to power in 2019, if we continue to build confidence, especially as the ruling party has failed to meet up their promises and give hope to the people.

    “Propaganda may help you win election, but it can’t help you govern and that is what the APC has seen in the last 32 months.

    The  PDP National Chairman, Prince Secondus, had earlier  briefed the former President on the activities of the NWC since December when they were elected into office.

    Secondus said the new leadership is currently engaged in a number of activities aimed at rebranding and repositioning the party with a view to regaining power in 2019.

    He pleaded for Jonathan’s support and that of other leaders of the party.

    The PDP boss said the focus of the party is on youths and women, pointing out that the leadership will soon come up with a new programme on Generational Next.

    At a separate forum, the PDP National Chairman said that the party has no anointed candidate for any elective positions.

    Speaking at a special banquet hosted for the party leadership by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson in Yenagoa, Secondus said unlike other parties where leaders lord it over to the rest, the PDP derives its power direct from the people who really own the party.

    “In this party under my watch, there would be no preferred  aspirant for any position, in the spirit of our rebranding to rebuild, reposition and  regain power. We cannot afford not to present our best eleven in the contest, “ he said.

    Secondus also said the party remains open to all Nigerians because it belongs to them, not to any group or individual.

    He said the doors of the party remain open to members from all corners to come in because “all hands are needed to chase the APC out of our political life.

    “We welcome people returning to the party with open arms because the party belongs to them and we need all to be on board for the huge task of chasing away evil regime in our life.

    “We must unite to rescue this country from the APC who has come with vengeance against the people of Nigeria.”

    He said that given the damage done to Nigerians by the APC administration in the past 32 months, what awaits the party in 2019 would be a “Tsunami”.

    While commending the PDP governors for their exceptional performance in office, Secondus particularly singled out Governor Dickson for his innovations in office that had led to the transformation of the state in the last six years.

    Secondus revealed that the party was initiating a deliberate programme called Generational Next aimed at re-integrating the youths in the activities of the party with a view to transferring power.

  • Order of election: Jonathan backs NASS, cautions APC

    Order of election: Jonathan backs NASS, cautions APC

    The National Assembly has a strong supporter in ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on its decision re-ordering the sequence of the 2019 elections.

    Jonathan said the new arrangement was in order and would go a long way in ensuring that more quality people are elected at all levels.

    Majority of the members of the two chambers of the National Assembly want election into the Senate and the House of Representatives to come first next year and the presidential election last.

    “Holding presidential election first will affect the quality of persons that will emerge in other polls because of the bandwagon effect,” Jonathan said on Friday when he granted audience to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus and members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) at the Jonathan Foundation in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    He expressed his support for the National Assembly for changing the order of elections in 2019 in its amendment to the Electoral Act.

    He said the decision of the National Assembly would help in the election of quality persons into various positions.

    A statement issued by the PDP National Chairman’s spokesman, Mr.  Ike Abonyi, quoted the former President as advising the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to abide by the decision of the National Assembly.

    Jonathan asked the APC to see the proposed order of elections “from national and patriotic interests since laws are not meant for persons in power at a particular time.”

    The ex-President said he is even looking forward to a time when presidential election in Nigeria would be conducted differently from others.

    He was optimistic that the PDP would return to power in 2019, saying: “I believe that PDP will return to power in 2019 if we continue to build confidence especially as the ruling party has failed to meet up their promises and give hope to the people.

    “Propaganda may help you win election but can’t help you govern and that is what APC has seen in the last 32 months.”

     

     

  • Restructuring: Jonathan, Dickson demand sincere implementation of APC recommendations

    Restructuring: Jonathan, Dickson demand sincere implementation of APC recommendations

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan and Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to sincerely implement its committee’s recommendations on restructuring.

    Dickson led a high-powered delegation of Ijaw leaders to Jonathan to deliberate on the recommendations in Otuoke, Ogbia local government area of the state.

    Jonathan, Dickson and the top Ijaw leaders urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the APC to enforce its recommendations.

    They insisted that a holistic and sincere implementation of the recommendations of the report on restructuring would encourage inter- ethnic harmony and development in the country.

    A statement issued by the Special Adviser to Governor Dickson on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, quoted Jonathan as saying that the issues were exhaustively treated during the 2014 National Conference.

    He said the sincere enforcement of the conference outcome would definitely move the nation forward.

    The ex- President said it was a good idea that the APC was able to set up a committee to look into the same grey areas which featured prominently in the deliberations of the 2014 conference.

    Jonathan commended Dickson for playing the leadership role of coordinating the thoughts of the Ijaw people on the sensitive issue of restructuring.

    He said the governor must be appreciated for ensuring that the Ijaw Nation did not speak with discordant tones on the issue of restructuring.

    He stressed that he was pleased that Dickson was performing the leadership role by coordinating the Ijaw Nation on the topical issue.

    He said: “I am pleased with the caliber of people who came with the Governor to brief me on the recommendations of the APC committee on restructuring.

    “I must say that I am happy with the role being played by the Governor on this issue of restructuring. Ethnic nationalities must not speak with discordant tones on such pertinent issues. I am pleased that Dickson is coordinating the Ijaw Nation.

    “I am also pleased that the APC set up a committee to look into the grey areas to come up with these recommendations. When we were in government, we came up with a confab and several issues were addressed which if sincerely implemented would encourage relationship in the country. A sincere implementation of the recommendations on these grey areas will make the country to move forward.”

    In his remarks, Dickson said he led the delegation of the Ijaw leaders to the former President to a consultation and brief him on the steps the Ijaws had taken to build bridges of understanding in the pursuits of equity in the country.

  • Jonathan greets Anyaoku at 85

    Jonathan greets Anyaoku at 85

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has felicitated with the former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Chukwumeka Anyaoku, on the occasion of his 85th birthday, describing the octogenarian as a national icon and leading voice for equity and good governance.

    A statement issued by his media adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, said the ex-President conveyed this in a message of goodwill in which he also highlighted Chief Anyaoku’s achievements as an international public servant.

    Jonathan said: “I write to most sincerely felicitate with you and your family on your 85th birthday.

    “As an international public servant you flew the flag of our nation so high that Nigeria’s pride of place in the comity of nations became well defined. You made your mark on the global scale as a distinguished technocrat whose footprints as the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations have continued to endure.

    “Even as an octogenarian, you have continued to manifest a dogged commitment and dedication to national development by readily offering yourself in the service of our great nation. Nigerians will continue to celebrate you as a national icon and elder statesman whose voice resonates for equity and good governance.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Jonathan disowns comment on El-Rufai

    Jonathan disowns comment on El-Rufai

    Former President Goodluck has dissociated himself from a report saying the ex-President claimed he contributed to Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, campaign fund.

    The ex-President, in a statement issued by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, described the report as fake news fabricated by some mischievous elements.

    He also advised media houses to avoid offering their platforms for spread of false information.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a fictitious comment on Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, purportedly made by the ex-President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, in which the former President was assumed to have spoken on his alleged contributions to El-Rufai’s campaign funds.

    “This falsehood which was obviously fabricated by some mischievous elements and first circulated early last year by a shady online publication, has unfortunately resurfaced again. This time, a credible online group is sadly the one giving it prominence.

    “We will again wish to entirely dissociate Dr. Jonathan from this fallacious comment which is lacking in all attributes of reason and credibility. We will also like to advise media organisations, especially those that serve as credible sources of information for the public, to always confirm their stories before publishing, to avoid misleading their readers.”