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Tag: Jonathan

  • Jonathan begs angry NEC members to save Tukur

    Jonathan begs angry NEC members to save Tukur

    For about 10 minutes yesterday, President Goodluck Jonathan was pleading with angry National Executive Committee (NEC) members not to sack Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) National Chairman Bamanga Tukur.

    But the President’s plea did not prevent state chairmen and disenchanted G-84 members from revolting against Tukur.

    Tukur, going by NEC members’ agreement may leave office during the first NEC meeting after the mini-National Convention on July 15.

    According to a source, who attended the NEC meeting – the first in about a year – most of the state chairmen condemned Tukur’s style and listed all his infractions, especially disrespect for the party’s constitution. They thereafter demanded his removal, it was learnt.

    When tempers rose, Dr. Jonathan intervened by acknowledging all the observations made by the aggrieved NEC members.

    But the President pleaded with NEC not to remove Tukur at the session because of the fear of the media backlash, which might create the impression that the party is in a deeper crisis.

    The source quoted the President as saying: “Tukur has come to beg me. I have assured him that I will intervene at the NEC meeting on his behalf. Please, do not let him go today.

    “Before you know it, the media will be saying ‘Jonathan has dumped Tukur’; ‘PDP is on fire’ and so on.”

    “The President admitted that Tukur has not sustained the legacies left behind by some past national chairmen of the party, but he said: ‘Do not remove him today, please.”

    Following the President’s plea, members agreed to embrace peace, with a “caveat” that Tukur must go after the mini-National Convention on July 15.

    Another top source said: “We respected the President but there is no way Tukur can last beyond the first NEC meeting after the mini-National Convention of the party in July.

    “That is the determination of NEC. What we did was to postpone his exit date till the NEC meeting after the mini-National Convention. So, we agreed that he should go after the convention when we will be confronted with the task of leading the party to victory in 2015 and how to reunite all groups having issues with PDP leadership.”

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio was said to have presented a speech in defence of Tukur. NEC members “actually resented” how he was just “talking and talking”, the source said.

    But, unlike Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu set the tone for the meeting by thanking the NWC members who quit, following the rejection of their election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for “serving the party and having sense in resigning in the interest of the party”. “This is a good development,” he was quoted as saying.

    The highpoint on the four-point agenda NEC session was when a former Deputy President of the Senate, Alhaji Ibrahim Mantu, moved a motion for members to “pass a vote of confidence on President Goodluck Jonathan for keeping to his transformation agenda and performing well”.

    The motion was “unanimously adopted by the NEC, leaving the President smiling and obviously elated”.

    On other issues, the source said: “The NEC considered the report of the INEC, which invalidated the election of eight NWC members and eight Deputy National Officers of the party.

    “The consideration of the report led to the composition of the Steering Committee to manage the party till the mini-National Convention holds in July.”

    Some members of the Steering Committee to replace the eight NWC members and eight Deputy National Officers that will face fresh election at the mini-national convention.

    Some outgoing NWC members were allowed to choose those who will replace them in the Caretaker Committee.

    The source said: “It was obvious also at the meeting that some of the affected NWC members will not be allowed to return, based on the peculiar nature of party politics in their states. For instance, the body language of the President and some of his loyalists showed that the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Dr. Sam Jaja, might not be returned at the mini-National Convention because of the crisis in Rivers State.

    “Therefore, there is no automatic return ticket at the mini-National Convention for the NWC members that have resigned.”

  • Jonathan advises youths on tolerance

    Jonathan advises youths on tolerance

    President Goodluck Jonathan has advised Nigerian youths to use religion to foster peace and unity in the country, even as religious youth leaders blamed the spate of societal decadence, especially violence, on the failure of religious leaders to impact teachings geared towards tolerance, peace and national unity in their followers.

    Speaking in Abuja at the first Nigerian Inter-religious Youth Summit, President Jonathan, who noted that the summit could not have come at a better time than now, said religion should be more than going to churches or mosques every day.

    Jonathan, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Youth and Student Affairs, Jude Imagwe said:  “We have to be tolerant of others if we must move our society forward. When went wrong? There was a time in this country when we used to wait eagerly for exchange of gifts from our neighbours, Muslims and Christians during Sallah and Christmas. We have to start preaching peace, but to achieve peace, we must work for peace.”

    The convener of the summit, Timothy Ademola said the blame of the present rot should be directed at religious leaders, saying: “It has been argued that if religious teachers and scholars can come up with sacred identity constructs that outline more peaceful world views, the world will, to a large extent, be made much better.

    “Given the fact that youths constitute the most active segment of any religion when it comes to the implementation of its sacred identity constructs, it goes without saying that such constructs become more socially-accommodating and productive.

    “The youth that adopt the will become more socially accommodating and productive. At this level, religion actively becomes an instrument for youth empowerment and constructive change.”

    The President of Youth Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Simon Dolly urged understanding between religious faiths.

    He said: “We need to understand each other, work together and build bridges. We should build on our strength rather than look at our weaknesses.”

    In his presentation, the National President of National Council of Muslim Youth Organisation (MACOMYO), Kamaldeen Akintunde regretted that hypocrisy on the part of religious leaders has contributed, in no small measures, to the spate of violence in the country.

    “Since religion, as a concept, means different things to different people, we should then strive to make it an agent of stability. This is more so because religious intolerance has cost the country so much in our socio-political and economic development.

    While he canvassed for constitutional regulation of religious activities, the youth leader urged political, religious and community leaders to be cautious when making comments on religious issues.

    The representative of Eckankar said the solution to violence in the country is peace.

  • Nigeria winning war against terrorism – Jonathan

    Nigeria winning war against terrorism – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday declared that Nigeria’s climate is conducive for investments as it is already winning the war against terrorism and other security challenges.

    He gave the assurance during the opening ceremony of the 14th meeting of the Honorary International Investor Council (HIIC) at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    According to him, the declaration of state of emergency rules in the three troubled states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa on May 14 have significantly improved the national security.

    Stressing that the residents were already disenchanted with the level of insecurity, the President said that the emergency rule was greeted with unprecedented supports by the residents.

    To this end, he said the insurgencies witnessed in the country has nothing to do with religion, but activities of internationally backed terror groups determined to destabilise the nation.

    He promised that his administration will continue to take steps to guarantee safety of lives, property and investments in the country.

     

  • 2015: ACF ‘won’t back’ Jonathan for second term

    2015: ACF ‘won’t back’ Jonathan for second term

    The Arewa Consultative Forum has given indications that it will not back President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 presidential poll if he decides to seek re-election.

    The Chairman of the National Working Committee of the ACF, Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, gave the indications when he addressed the Annual General Meeting of the Forum at its secretariat in Kaduna on Thursday.

    He lamented that some of its members have gone ahead to encourage the president to seek re-election in 2015.

    Mohammed said that it was unfortunate that one of its members, Gen. Lawrence Onoja (rtd) and a member of the Northern Elders Forum, Senator John Washpam went to President Jonathan to ask him to contest the elections.

    He said the action of the two northern leaders has given an indication that the north were not united, adding that they met with the President in company of Chief Edwin Clark who has been campaigning for his (President Jonathan’s) re-election.

     

  • ‘Jonathan owes North apology’

    ‘Jonathan owes North apology’

    The President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Mallam Yerima Shettima, has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to apologise to the North for the insults being hurled at the region, particularly, on the Hausa/Fulani people by his kinsmen in the Niger Delta.

    Shettima reminded the President that more than half of the 22 million votes won by him in the 2011 presidential election, came from the region.

    He told our correspondent that the Niger Delta people are portraying President Jonathan as an Ijaw President, and not Nigeria’s President. According to him, neither the votes of the Ijaw people alone nor the entire Niger Delta region, could make him president.

    “The unguarded utterances of the President’s kinsmen is over heating the polity and Mr President had seen nothing wrong in that, let alone calling them to order. Could the President’s silence be taken as a tactical approval of his people derogatory remarks on the North”, he asked.

    On June 12, the youth leader said: “It is still relevant because it is the collective struggle of the Nigerian people. It remains the sacrifice Nigerians have made to bring about democracy.

    “It was a day when all Nigerians came out irrespective of our ethnic differences,irrespective of our religious differences and cast our votes without any iota of doubt in our minds because we asked for change. At the end of it all, some group of persons killed that dream for Nigerians. June 12 however, symbolises a lot of things for Nigeria. Abiola was one side of it.

    “ We will continue to celebrate June 12, because it is not just all about the late Chief MKO Abiola alone. That’s where people make mistakes. It’s about Nigerians. He was a factor but that date remains the symbol of unity.

    “The leaders of today did not make any sacrifice and were never involved in the struggle for the enthronement of true democracy, hence they are abusing power. That explains what we are currently experiencing in Nigeria today.

    “We have achieved civilian rule but not democracy. The battle for the realisation of June 12 only stoke the fire of Nigeria’s ambiguous adventure to democracy. Until the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference (SNC), Nigeria is still far from reaching her democratic destination.

    “To have a united Nigeria, all the issues must be discussed and resolved,otherwise, we would all be consumed one day. But many of those in power do not believe that it is the way out of the myriad of problems because they are enjoying the system and they want the status quo to continue”.

    Yerima said the SNC will create an opportunity for us to address our fundamental issues.

  • Jonathan’s team at prayer for Tinubu’s mum

    Jonathan’s team at prayer for Tinubu’s mum

    •Buhari, Wamakko, Kwankwaso in Lagos

    It could have been mistaken for a rally, considering the large army of politicians at the ceremony. But, yesterday’s Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos event was not political. It was the third-day prayer for the late Abibatu Asabi Mogaji, the mother of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader and former governor of Lagos State. She died at 96 on Saturday in Lagos. She was buried on Sunday.

    President Goodluck Jonathan led the tributes.

    He was represented by a four-man delegation, led by Minister of Trade and Investment Dr. Olusegun Aganga.

    Other members of the delegation were National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki, Special Adviser on Inter Governmental Affairs Sen. Ben Obi and Amb. Bashir Yuguda.

    Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko and his Kano State counterpart, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, were among those who visited Tinubu’s Bourdillion, Ikoyi residence to commiserate with him.

    Wamakko and Kwankwaso are two of the governors who have drawn the ire of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership over their roles in the election of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chair.

    Both have also criticised the leadership style of PDP National Chairman Bamanga Tukur.

    Politicians, statesmen, top government officials, and other visitors hailed the duo and their entourage as they were ushered into the residence around 2 pm. They were welcomed by the former governor and his wife, Senator Oluremi, as well as other ACN chieftains.

    After expressing their condolences to the family, they held a closed door meeting with the ACN leader. Details of the meeting were unknown.

    President Jonathan and Col. Dasuki praised the late President-General of Market men and women for her inspirational role in defending the rights of women and the underprivileged.

    The president’s message was presented by Aganga.

    Extolling her virtues, Jonathan said: “Alhaja Mogaji was at a loving mother, an inspirational matriarch, an activist defender of the rights of women and the underprivileged who built bridge across all social divides.

    “Her passing is no doubt a great loss to you and other members of the family. You should however, find some comfort in the fact that your dear mother has left behind a larger family that cuts across the length and breadth of our nation.

    “As our beloved Iyaloja-General transits to greater glory, it is my prayer on behalf of my family, the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that her soul find eternal rest in the bosom of the Almighty Allah.”

    Hundreds of people from far and near defied the early rainfall to attend the prayer.

    The programme kicked off with the recitation from the Holy Qur’an and prayer for the repose of her soul.

    The National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh AbdurRahoman Ahmad, told the audience to be preparing for the next world by doing good every time. Quoting from the Qur’an, Ahmad said Allah knew from the beginning of mankind that we human beings would hate death and that we would do everything possible to avoid it at all times and by all means.

    Ahmad said death would come one day and take us one by one to our Creator, who keeps records of all our deeds on earth, a copy of which would be given to us on the day of judgment to defend.

    “That is the day man would cry and ask why some of the bad things I did were not left out, particularly the minors. All secrets shall be revealed on that day.

    “On that day, many would regret over their bad deeds outweighing the good ones. In spite of Allah’s magnanimity, many of us would fail on that day. Each person would be given a marking scheme to score himself,” he said

    Turning to politicians, the cleric said Allah would ask them to account for how they managed the public resources. Did you invest the public funds in provision of light, water, good roads and other infrastructure that would make life worth living for the people?

    Ahmad provoked laughter when he said satirically and “Our politicians don’t tell lies, our politicians don’t eat money but they eat food, our politicians don’t cheat.”

    He admonished people to do good always so that it would be easy for them on the day of judgment.

    Sheikh Musa Suleiman from Morcas Arabic School, Agege said death would be a blessing for some while it would be disastrous for many. He said “we can all attest to the fact that death is a blessing for Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji because he spent her wealth on propagation of Islam and assisting the poor people.

    A long list of eminent personalities at the prayer included Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Gen. Buba Marwa, Alhaji Femi Okunu, Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Alhaji Kashim Shettima (Borno), Alhaji UmaruTanko Al-Makura (Nassarawa), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe), Lagos State Deputy Governor Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, former Minister of State for Defence Demola Seriki and vice chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Isa Aremu and white cap chiefs, who represented the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

    There were also former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai; Alhaji Baba Gara Kingigbe; former vice presidential candidate of the CPC Pastor Tunde Bakare; Lagos State ACN spokesman Joe Igbokwe; Prince Tajudeen Olusi; wife of the former governor of Ogun State Chief Segun Osoba, Derin; Alhaji Aro Lambo; Chief Femi Pedro; Dr Wale Babalakin (SAN); Mr Wale Edun; Lagos State Commissioner for Works, Dr Femi Hamzat; Mrs Stella Okoli; Lagos State House of Assembly members, led by Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji; members of the Association of Igbos in Commerce, Nationwide.

    Also present were: Babaloja of Lagos Alhaji Wasiu Balogun; ACN National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Muhammed; Chief Razak Okoya-Thomas; Chairman of Mile 12 market Alhaji Haruna Mohammed and Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment Tunji Bello.

  • 4,000MW expected by year-end, says Jonathan

    About 4,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity are expected to be added to the national grid at the end of the year, President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

    The President, who spoke at the ground-breaking ceremony of the $1 billion (about N160 billion) General Electric (GE) manufacturing facility, said 10 new National Integrated Power Plants with 1,000 MW have been completed.

    Jonathan, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, said as from next month, a new power plant will be inaugurated every monthly.

    According to him, this will happen till the end of the year when about 4,000 megawatts will be added to the national grid.

    Jonathan said nine of the 10 power plants were manufactured by GE, adding that the company has been partnering Federal Government’s ongoing Transformation Agenda.

    He said the company’s decision to site its factory in Calabar demonstrated its confidence in Nigeria’s economy.

     

  • Jonathan seeks more global cooperation against terrorism

    Jonathan seeks more global cooperation against terrorism

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday called for greater global cooperation and coordination in the war against terrorism.

    He spoke at the Presidential Villa during separate audiences with the new ambassadors of Israel, Russia, Greece and Algeria, who presented their letters of credence.

    The President said Nigeria and other countries will benefit from greater collaboration among their security agencies on efforts to combat domestic and international terrorism.

    Nigeria, he said, would welcome increased cooperation from countries that are more experienced in such matters to boost the country’s ongoing operations against domestic terrorist groups.

    Jonathan told the new Israeli Ambassador, Mr. Uriel Palti, that he looked forward to visiting Israel later this year to discuss bilateral cooperation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

    Jonathan assured Mr. Alekos Oikonomopoulos, Mr. Nikolay Udovichenko, Mr. Belkacem Smaili and Mr. Amadou Habibou, the new ambassadors of Greece, Russia, Algeria and Senegal, that the Federal Government will support their efforts to strengthen existing cordial relations between Nigeria and their countries.

     

  • Jonathan vs condemned criminals

    President Goodluck Jonathan exhibited an uncanny bloody-mindedness the other day and more scarily, he chose an especial event venue and time, the church service during Fathers’ Day. Here is the news: Nigeria’s president urges State governors to always make haste to sign the death warrants of condemned criminals. President Jonathan said this in his remarks at a special Fathers’ Day service in the Aso Rock Chapel last Sunday.

    Yes, there is no joking our President seems to thirst for blood; he was worried about indiscipline in his domain and as he gave a pithy treatise on what for him, may be the big, horned demon tormenting Nigeria, the president said: “Discipline can be in various forms…in the case of capital punishment, the governors will sign. Even governors sometimes find it difficult to sign. I have been telling the governors that they must sign because that is the law. The works we are doing have a very sweet part and a very ugly part, and we must perform both. No matter how painful it is, it is part of their responsibilities.”

    Hardball had long become used to the President’s staccato enunciation and speech pattern so let’s not dwell on that, let us parse the message. Why is our president so taken in by his subjects who though may be condemned to death; why does he want them finished off fast, fast (as we say it here)? Does he have some special axe to grind with them or what? We ask: how many of his citizens are on the death row, what percentage of the total prison inmates are condemned criminals (CC) assuming he is worried that they are the problem with his Transformation Agenda? Perhaps Nigeria’s economy would blossom if all the CCs are gathered in one gas chamber and exterminated? It would have given us a world of inkling into the mind and make up of our prez if he had given us a little idea why he wants these people signed away into oblivion very fast.

    One of the greatest frustrations of Hardball is that you cannot shout with words, you cannot raise your voice and scream like crazy, otherwise, one would have asked screamingly: why on earth Mr. President, do you think that these governors take their time and tarry awhile over this matter of life and death? Why do you think that a chunk of the civilised world is refraining from capital punishment? How could Jonathan forget that he was speaking from a pulpit, from the house of God who most unequivocally handed the injunction: thou shall not kill? Would Jonathan break nary one grey hair or grow one if no CC is executed in the next decade? Why would Jonathan not charge the governors to do more ‘prerogative of mercy rounds’ and free thousands of awaiting trials, denizens who have been detained even longer than the term they would serve should they be sentenced?

    There are a thousand and one noble deeds the President could extract from the governors by sheer power of moral suasion riding on the auspices of the Fathers’ Day celebration. Invoking blood on the polity as if our hands are not already dripping with the crimson substance is ghoulish and un-presidential, to put it lightly.

     

  • Uruguay must fall

    Uruguay must fall

    • Promise to make Nigerians proud
    • Thank President Jonathan
    • Match fixed for 11pm Nigerian time

     

    Super Eagles team have assured President Goodluck Jonathan and soccer loving Nigerians of not only an impressive performance against Uruguay tomorrow but to achieve a resounding victory over the highly rated Uruguay and stay a top of the group.

    The Eagles also cited jet lag for their uncoordinated play against Tahiti despite pounding the hapless team 6-1 in their encounter on Monday. The Eagles also thanked President Jonathan for his fatherly gesture towards the team every time.

    “We want to first of all thank Nigerians for their continuous support and prayers. The game against Tahiti has come and gone. Though some of you might not have been too pleased with the quality of play and missed chances, it is pertinent to state that stress, fatigue and jet lag affected our level of concentration.

    “Be rest assured that you will see a different Eagles, the Eagles that you will be proud of when we confront Uruguay on Thursday. We are topping the table in our group, so shall it remain by the Grace of God.

    “We have our set Target, which is to play at the Maracanna Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. We have resolved and determined to achieve the set target. We want to make Nigerians and indeed the whole of Africa whom we are representing happy.

    “To our Father and beloved President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, we appreciate you. Thank you for your Support. By the merciful grace of God we will not let you down”, the players had sent these soothing words to Nigerians yesterday.