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Tag: Jonathan

  • Jonathan, Amaechi face-off unnecessary – Pdp BoT member

    Jonathan, Amaechi face-off unnecessary – Pdp BoT member

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) member Chief Gordon Bozimo spoke with BISI OLANIYI on the  crisis rocking the Rivers State chapter of the party and the face-off between President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

    Should President Goodluck Jonathan seek re-election in 2015, in view of the zoning agreement in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)?

    There is so much noise about Dr. Jonathan’s bid to have a second term. It is his fundamental right to contest, if he wants to. He maintains that he has not made up his mind because he wants to face governance.

    Unfortunately, some people who believe that it is their birthright to rule, have made the country ungovernable and have distracted the President consistently. He should be allowed to do his job as the President. With the deliberate distraction, it will be difficult to get his best.

    The President is one individual. For him to succeed, he needs the cooperation of other arms of government and the general citizenry. That is only when the President can achieve results. A situation where every step he takes will not be given the benefit of the doubt, whichever way he moves, he must be criticised and those who criticise him hardly come up with alternative viewpoints, so that the country can look at the merits of their own suggesti

    Do you think he has performed creditably?

    In governance, there are certain things or projects that have gestation period. On the electoral reforms, this is the first administration that has taken it as a major issue. Progressively, our elections are getting better. Everybody knows that if the President does not give his support, it will not be possible.

    On the Local Content Act, today, a lot of Nigerians are able to bid for jobs in Shell, Mobil, Agip and other multinationals because there is an Act that compels them to keep a certain percentage of the jobs for Nigerians. Without that, we would have still been in a situation where the multinationals will bring drivers, mechanic and others from outside the country.

    Now, there is a law that if you are tendering for a job, you must show specifically, the local content. If not, the bid will be disqualified.

    The power sector gulped billions of naira before President Jonathan came into office. It is now that most of the power stations are nearing completion. The administration has assured that at the end of this year, 10,000 megawatts will be generated. If you go round the country, you will see seriousness on the power project. The President needs to be encouraged, so that he can do more. To me, he deserves the second term.

    But, some Niger Deltans think otherwise…

    As an Ijaw man, as a Niger Deltan and as a Trustee of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), I am confirming to you that President Jonathan has done well. He symbolises our aspiration. It is an act of God that somebody from the Niger Delta is the President of Nigeria.

    We are very grateful to other Nigerians, who gave us the opportunity, but let us govern like others have done (two terms of eight years). Support President Jonathan, so that at the end of the day, we will be able to say we have tried our best. The rest will be left for posterity.

    A section of Nigeria wants to mess up the opportunity.We have cooperated with all other presidents. Right from Shagari’s time, Rivers State has been giving the highest votes.

    How will you react to the remarks of Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari and Kingsley Kuku that there will be mayhem in the country, if President Jonathan is not re-elected in 2015?

    Kuku’s and Dokubo-Asari’s comments are their personal views. I am a democrat, but you must give us a level playing ground. If the President does not have the cooperation of the citizenry and other arms of government, there is no way he can perform. There is no magic.

    They should allow him do his best.

    This is the first time in the history of this country that promotion and transfer in the military are not being politicised. You can criticise and give alternative suggestions.

    President Jonathan described the Boko Haram suicide bombers as ghosts and he said he would not give amnesty to ghosts. Eminent people from the North met him and he listened to what they said. He has put machinery in place towards giving amnesty, but he has not given the amnesty. He has just set up a committee to look at the modalities and make recommendations.

    President Jonathan needs the cooperation of all Nigerians. Countries like Afghanistan that is how it started. Even Mali, you know what would have happened, if not for the quick intervention.

    President Jonathan has not told anybody that he is seeking re-election in 2015. If he declares his intention to vie, let him contest on a level playing ground and he should not be distracted.

    How would you describe the face-off between President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Rotimi Amaechi?

    The whole situation is uncalled for. PDP is capable of resolving whatever problem that exists. We should not give opportunity to the opposition to make profit out of whatever misunderstanding they have. It is a family affair. They should allow us to solve the problem. People should not stoke the fire.

    It is unfortunate that within the party, there is this problem. The PDP is robust enough to calm all frayed nerves. I am for dialogue. Some of us are ready to join Chief Tony Anenih (Chairman of the BoT of the PDP) and Alhaji Bamanga Tukur (PDP Chairman), to see how we can find a lasting solution to this problem.

    How would you react to the six-year single tenure being proposed?

    It is still a proposal. I want President Goodluck Jonathan to complete his four years and seek re-election in 2015, for another four years. If somebody is coming to say he is bringing a new law and shifting the goalpost, when the game has already started, I think it is unacceptable.

    Many Niger Deltans are complaining that the region is not receiving adequate attention from this administration.

    President Jonathan is not a tribalist. It tells you the character of the man. He is not a dictator. The East-West Road, according to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, the initial design did not take into account the number of bridges and culverts. Most people design roads in their office.

    I do not feel that President Jonathan will deliberately not want to embark on capital-intensive projects in the Niger Delta. He has plans for this region. My plea is for Niger Deltans and other Nigerians to continue to support the Jonathan Administration and not to distract the President.

    What is your take on the removal of subsidy on petroleum products?

    Whether subsidy is removed or not, the problem is other infrastructure like the rail line and the mass transit issue, if they are addressed, will go a long way. Alternative means of transportation will reduce our dependence on fuel. They are working on the rail lines and other things. If we have efficient transport system, you do not need to take your car to the office. That is why a five-year-old car sent to Nigeria from abroad is new, because it is not used everyday.

    Infrastructure in Nigeria has decayed to an extent that you need a magic wand to be able to resuscitate all these things within a short time.

    The economists will tell you that the subsidy we are making is hurting us. Even the Central Bank Governor (Sanusi Lamido Sanusi) said it. Subsidy is not in our long term plan.

    We should not look at spending so much money to fuel our cars. If we look at it that way, this country will never grow. Subsidy means that government is using part of our commonwealth to provide fuel, for us to run our cars. How many Nigerians have cars? How many villages in Nigeria have roads? The subsidy is for the pleasure of the middle class and the upper class.

    The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) before the National Assembly has recommended 10 per cent for the oil producing communities, but some communities where the pipelines pass through are also agitating and want to be considered. What is your opinion?

    What they are saying falls flat on the face. The place where you are taking the crude oil from the soil is more important. We all know about pollution, devastation and environmental degradation. If the pipe passes through your place, it is to serve you. Without the pipes, the cost of transporting the fuel from Port Harcourt to Sokoto, they will not be able to afford the price. Without the pipelines, a litre of petrol at N97 in Port Harcourt, will sell for N350 in Sokoto.

    Government is spending our money to lay the pipelines, so that they can sell fuel at the same price all over the country. That is a concession to them. It is to their advantage. So, if they do not see it that way, then I wonder how we are going to solve the problems in Nigeria.

    The agitation of people in communities with pipelines passing through their area has no merit and it is uncalled for.

    Anybody who says the extra 10 per cent that will be coming from the PIB to the host communities is not proper should be considered as an enemy of progress and someone who does not want the hitherto neglected host communities to develop.

    That is why if you go to some communities, with over 100 gas flares surrounding them, you will be able to appreciate their plight.

  • WCQ: Jonathan hails Eagles victory in Nairobi

    WCQ: Jonathan hails Eagles victory in Nairobi

    President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the Super Eagles on their victory over the Harambee Stars of Kenya in Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier played at the Arap Moi Sports complex in Kasarani, Nairobi.

    The Eagles defeated their Kenyan counterparts by a lone goal scored by Ahmed Musa in the 81st minute.

    The President, who spoke at the Presidential Launch of the “Rhythm N Play” programme of the National Sports Commission in Abuja on Thursday, expressed optimism that the Super Eagles would qualify for next year’s World Cup holding in Brazil.

    He said, “You would recall that late last year, we convened the Retreat on Sports which not only analyzed the challenges in the sector but also came up with a clear road map for its development in the short, medium and long terms.

    “Already year 2013 is turning out to be a successful one for the country in Sports. In February, our gallant Super Eagles won the African Cup of Nations. Two weeks ago, I hosted a joint reception for the Golden Eaglets who represented the country at the African Under- 17 Football Championship in Morocco as well as our Athletics Team which emerged overall winners of the maiden Under- 18 African Athletics Championship in Warri.

    “They were honoured for their extra-ordinary feat and display of talent in their chosen sports at the international arena. So far, we are doing well in our effort to fly the Green-White-Green in the Football World Cup tournament in Brazil next year. This is a great moment for sports in Nigeria. We must build on this momentum and trend. We must take every step to ensure that our successes are sustained. We believe that grassroots sports development and nurturing provide the way.”

     

  • Jonathan provides more infrastructure in Niger Delta – Maku

    Jonathan provides more infrastructure in Niger Delta – Maku

    The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, said on Thursday that President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration provided infrastructure in the Niger Delta much more than any other past government in the country.

    Maku said this at the ongoing accountability forum organised by the Federal Ministry of Information tagged: “Ministerial Platform.”

    He said the quantum of development in the region could be attributed to government’s commitments through allocations to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    He said state governments in the region had begun to reverse the infrastructure gap gradually through improved federal allocations and interventions by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the NDDC.

    “This ministry was carved out in 2008 under the Yar’Adua-Jonathan administration to address the major issues of infrastructure gap in the Niger Delta.

    “Since that time, government has been committing resources to help the Niger Delta get additional infrastructure.

    “When I went to the Niger Delta recently on the national good governance tour I can report to you that the Niger Delta is witnessing progress that has never been seen in that region since 1960.

    “Uyo now has first-class infrastructure, first class roads and underground drainages.

    “These are classic examples of the additional attention which the Niger-Delta has received particularly under our democratic dispensation,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Maku as saying at the programme.

     

  • Imo Dep Governor: Jonathan has betrayed Southeast

    Imo State Deputy Governor Eze Madumere has said President Goodluck Jonathan has betrayed the Southeast for failing to redeem electoral promises he made to the zone.

    Madumere, who spoke with reporters in Abuja, said the earlier the Southeast break rank with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the better for the zone.

    He stated: “When you go to the Southeast, the PDP has made the area politically useless.

    “All the promises the President made prior to his election, none has been kept. Now, who are we looking up to, to keep all these promises?”

    The deputy governor said the salvation of the Southeast lies with the emerging All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that Governor Rochas Okorocha remains the rallying point for the zone in 2015.

    He described the crisis in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) as a contrived one, saying certain groups and individuals were bent on hijacking and controlling the Forum for political reasons.

    “My view is that the system that has been revolving around that Forum should be allowed to operate on its own.

    “That is the only way Nigerians can believe that the Forum is not being controlled by external forces.

    “If you saw the video of the election, you will know that all the necessary things were in place.

    “Seeing that the majority of the governors had spoken, I don’t see any reason why anyone should destabilise the group.

    “The NGF is a forum where all the governors meet and come up with a common agenda to approach the National Economic Council or the Federal Executive Council.

    “So Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s election as chairman of the NGF should be allowed to stand.

    “If an election was conducted and the faction that lost has refused to accept defeat, then there is a script being played and this is not good for Nigeria,” Madumere said.

    The deputy governor said the earlier the governors close rank the better, warning the Jonah Jang faction to stop playing a script crafted by script writers behind the scene.

    “The truth is that they are playing in the direction of a script writer. There is someone or a group that believes that if they do not benefit from it, they can mess it up.

    “And they feel the only way they can do that is by trying to create a faction within the Forum.”

  • Jonathan has betrayed southeast – Imo deputy governor

    The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, said that President Goodluck Jonathan has betrayed the southeast geopolitical zone for failing to redeem electoral promises he made to the zone.

    Madumere, who spoke with journalists in Abuja Tuesday night stated that the earlier the southeast breaks ranks with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the better for the zone.

    He stated: “When you go to the Southeast, the PDP has made the area politically useless. All the promises the President made prior to his election, not one of them has been kept. Now, who are we looking up to, to keep all these promises?”

    The deputy governor said the salvation of the southeast lies with the emerging All Progressives Congress (APC) saying that the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha remained the rallying point for the zone come 2015.

    He described the crisis in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) as a contrived one, saying certain groups and individuals were bent on hijacking and controlling the Forum for political reasons.

    “My view is that the system that has been revolving around that Forum should be allowed to operate on its own. That is the only way Nigerians can believe that the Forum is not being controlled by external forces.

    “If you watch the video of the election of Amaechi, you will know that all the necessary things were in place. Seeing that the majority of the governors had spoken, I don’t see any reason why anyone should destabilise the group.

    “The NGF is a forum where all the governors meet and come up with a common agenda to approach the National Economic Council or the Federal Executive Council.

    “So Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s election as charman of the NGF should be allowed to stand. If election was conducted and the faction that lost has refused to accept defeat, then there is a script being played and this is not good for Nigeria,” Madumere stated.

     

  • Jonathan’s perspective on OPC and MASSOB

    Jonathan’s perspective on OPC and MASSOB

    President Goodluck Jonathan has not availed the country reasons for labelling the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) as national security threats. He owes the country a full explanation. Does the label have anything to do with the antecedents of the two groups both of which are regarded in many circles as ethnic militias? Or does it have anything to do with their present dispositions? Or perhaps, it has something to do with the lackadaisical manner the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, was at first handled before it snowballed into a full terrorist group. Whatever the considerations were, the country will be puzzled that the president has suddenly considered the OPC and MASSOB security threats almost at par with Boko Haram, the Islamist sect against which a full blown military engagement is underway.

    During the presentation of the mid-term report of his administration in Abuja on Democracy Day last week, the president suggested that, “Nigeria faces three fundamental security challenges posed by extremist groups like Boko Haram in the North; the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra in the South-East; and the Oodua People’s Congress in the Southwest.” If this is not strong stuff, then consider his next statement. “The activities of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra and OPC,” he added tersely, “though not as violently intense as those of Boko Haram, they still pose a serious security challenge to the Nigerian state.” It was expected that the president would say something major on the security challenges facing the country, but no one thought he would make such sweeping statements that are capable of boxing his administration in?

    Except the OPC is a sleeper cell of militants, there is nothing to show that in the past few years, it is an active militia able and willing to levy war against the state on the scale or even half the scale of the Boko Haram sect. In fact more than anything else, the OPC has become both a cultural organisation and security consultants to troubled and harassed neighbourhoods insufficiently serviced by the regular law enforcement agencies. Its leaders are not only known, they have also bidden for federal government’s lucrative pipeline security contracts, especially pipeline protection and surveillance jobs. In addition, their leaders are increasingly at the forefront of cultural activities, particularly those with tourism potentials.

    MASSOB’s leaders are known, and their offices are not hidden. They send out periodic press releases, grant interviews with their photographs emblazoned all over newspaper pages, and have advanced reasons for the Igbo to receive equitable share of national resources or, failing that, to enter into either a confederal arrangement with the rest of the country or outright autonomy and independence. They have advocated these causes openly through public channels. Admittedly, their advocacy has sometimes been accompanied by violence, but often they have been provoked by or resulted from a misunderstanding with law enforcement agents. In any case, because their members and leaders are known and their grievances understandable, if not legitimate, the state has a responsibility to engage them within the confines of the law. It will be counterproductive to radicalise them.

    This is, however, not to say there are no fringe elements within both groups, just as there are fringe elements acting more dangerously and independently in other areas of national life. Indeed, this column had in the past worried that the elite in both the Southwest and Southeast had engaged in unregulated romance with ethnic militias, a habit it concluded amounted to an abdication of the reasoned leadership they should give conservative and radical elements within their regions. However, it amounts to a hasty and extreme measure to label the two groups as security threats before engaging them in discussions and monitoring their activities to establish a pattern of constitutional subversion. It must be recalled that the federal government also failed to engage Boko Haram until it gradually metamorphosed into a terror group after its leaders were extrajudicially murdered. The same mistake must not be repeated.

    By summarily describing the OPC and MASSOB as security threats, the president will face intense criticisms from puzzled citizens. He will also endure unflattering comparisons between his kind consideration of Niger Delta militants to whom placatory mouth-watering contracts have been given and the heavy-handedness with which he seems prepared to deal with the considerably tame and ostensible militias from other parts of the country.

     

  • Govt’s actions ‘ll conform with rule of law, says Jonathan

    Govt’s actions ‘ll conform with rule of law, says Jonathan

    •’Armed Forces should respect human rights’ 

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said everything would be done by his administration to ensure that government’s actions conformed to the rule of law.

    He spoke in Abuja when he declared open the Centenary Law Summit.

    President Jonathan noted that law is an instrument for social engineering and political transformation and should be adhered to by organs of government.

    Stressing that the government would ensure that human rights norms are observed in the ongoing fight against terrorism, he said armed forces and other security agencies have been directed to observe the rules of engagement in the states under state of emergency.

    He said: “Let me take this opportunity to reiterate government’s resolve to ensure that human rights norms are observed and the freedom and liberty of the people are not abridged in our war against terror.

    “The armed forces and other security agencies dealing with insurgencies and other security challenges in the areas where state of emergency has been declared have been ordered to ensure that they discharge their duties with conformity to the rule of engagements.”

    President Jonathan urged the managers of Nigeria’s judiciary to review the country’s laws, as it remains an institution that holds the key of sustaining the confidence of the people in the rule of law.

    Expressing happiness about the efforts by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Aloma-Mukhtar, to sanitise the judicial system, he urged the judiciary to give credible and well reasoned judgments to enhance social justice and fairness.

    “We welcome the efforts made by the National Judicial Council under the able leadership of Justice Aloma-Mukhtar. We believe you can sanitise the judicial system,” President Jonathan said.

    The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Bello Adoke, said the relevant bodies in the legal profession are intensifying efforts towards early completion of the ongoing legal reforms.

    President Jonathan presented to the public a publication, entitled: ‘Nigeria: A Century of Constitutional Evolution 1914-2014.’

    It was written by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.

    The three days summit will witness paper presentations, which include Legislations and Transformative Governance; Rule of Law and Transformation Agenda; Power and Transformation Philosophy of Government and State Governors as partners in Transformation Agenda.

    Others topics slated for discussion are: Law, Good Governance and Security; Police and Enforcement of Law and Order; Law and Terrorism and International Security and Human Rights Concerns

     

  • Jonathan: we’ve raised bar against corruption

    President Goodluck Jonathan has said his administration has raised the bar against corruption, compared with past administrations.

    In his mid-term report presented to the public, the President said his administration pursues a more strategic, comprehensive and effective campaign against corruption.

    He said his administration had gone beyond popular sentiments to address the root causes of corruption and enhance the capacity of the institutions to resist and overcome corrupt influences.

    The report reads: “President Jonathan’s approach in fighting corruption is to focus on building strong institutions that have the capacity to overcome corrupt influences and not just to sermonise about corruption.

    “This approach uses the rule of law as a framework to fight corruption since corruption is a feature of weak rule of law and weak institutions.”

    The report said the widespread international perception of Nigeria as a corrupt country has caused damage to the dignity and honour of many honest and diligent Nigerians and to the country’s global competitiveness.

    Some of the achievements of the administration against corruption, the report said, included: Signing the Freedom of Information Act into law, the uncovering of fraud and deletion of over 73,000 ghost/fake pensioners from the Head of Service/Police Pension Office.

    Others were recovery and savings of over N225 billion from the two pension offices, halting the monthly theft of over N4 billion from the national treasury and reducing fraud by saving over N500 million monthly through the police pension releases.

    “Another giant stride is the suspension of Justice Abubakar Talba of the FCT High Court, Gudu. The 12 months suspension follows the controversial judgment he delivered in respect of John Yusufu, who was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N32.8 billion Police Pension Fraud,” it said.

    The recent dismissal of three judges found to have compromised their offices, the report said, is a signal of zero tolerance for corruption in the judiciary.

  • David-West warns Jonathan over plot to impeach Amaechi

    David-West warns Jonathan over plot to impeach Amaechi

    A former Petroleum Minister, Prof Tam David-West, at the weekend urged President Goodluck Jonathan and those allegedly plotting to impeach Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to shelve the idea or face the wrath of the people.

    The former minister warned that if the governor is impeached through illegal means and concocted political reasons, Dr Jonathan will not be able to contain the anger that will follow.

    Prof David-West spoke on phone with The Nation in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on the alleged plan to impeach Amaechi by those said to be loyal to the President.

    He said: “My candid opinion is that Jonathan should not try to impeach Governor Amaechi. But if he tries it, he will not be able to contain the tempest that will follow. They (anti-Amaechi elements) should not concoct some flimsy political reasons to impeach him. If he should be impeached at all, they should follow the constitution; that is, if he has done anything to warrant it.

    “But now, Nigerians know that Amaechi has not done anything. He is doing very well and he is very popular among Nigerians because of his performance. This is a man who is loved by the people. And the voice of the people is the voice of God. If anybody now plans to impeach him by illegal means, the person is fighting God.

    “There is a limit Nigerians will tolerate this executive rascality and irresponsibility. Jonathan has done enough to Amaechi. If they go ahead to impeach him, then Jonathan himself must be impeached because he has committed impeachable offences too. He took an oath to uphold and defend the constitution of the country.”

  • Jonathan quits equivocating on NGF

    Jonathan quits equivocating on NGF

    During last Thursday’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) family dinner in Abuja, President Goodluck Jonathan finally laid to rest any speculation about his determination to wrest control of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) from the hands of his enemies, or failing that, to destroy it. Not only did he reportedly refer to Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State as chairman of the NGF, he also indirectly gave notice which side he supports and how ready he is to help bury the group. That singular but unpresidential act showed the frailty and fecklessness of our leading politicians. But it isn’t only the character of the governors that has been weighed and found wanting; by publicly and casually embracing the Jang faction of the NGF, the president gave indication that any morality he had pretended to since his assumption of office was simple a hoax.

    It is true the president has not come out clearly to endorse the Jang faction. But what is his word worth anyway? Is it not recalled that he also denounced those who suggested he had any vested interest in the NGF election before it held on May 24? But whether in the case of the post-election endorsement or pre-election interest in the NGF chairmanship, the president had pretended to be uninterested. No one is fooled. More, it is doubtful whether he would be able to fool anyone again as to his bona fides, let alone his nobility of purpose and values. It is now as clear as day that Dr Jonathan is more than anything else a practical politician unruffled by the contradictions that encase his politics and disfigure his worldview. More worrisomely, he is not even really anxious about how his Machiavellian sentiments war against his proudly publicised religious principles. For to embrace an election loser is one thing; but to embrace an election loser who lives in denial of his defeat is quite another.

    There had been times when the president attempted philosophising about life, religion, God and Nigeria’s manifest destiny. To be sure, his philosophy never went beyond the practical and commonsensical perspectives of those long castrated by the dulling atmosphere of the countryside, and the bucolic wisecracks of the village teacher; but at least he made some efforts to be deep, detached and, like Caesar’s wife, above suspicion. If only such accoutrements had been brought to bear on his political morality! What worries the average Nigerian is not Mr Jang’s quixotic chairmanship of the NGF, as the president and his aides must have known by now, but the president’s bravura display of political brinkmanship. The disturbing thing about Dr Jonathan’s endorsement of Mr Jang, obvious from his meeting with the losers last Friday, is how the president so insouciantly subordinated the entire Nigerian presidency to the childish intransigence of the 16 governors in his camp.

    There’s more than one way to skin a cat, it is said. The president and his governor friends could admit defeat in the NGF election but refuse to respond to any call for meeting. They could even decide they would be satisfied with associating only within the purview of the PDP Governors’ Forum. Or they could refuse any further association of the 36 governors altogether. But to insist they won an election which they unequivocally lost, and for the president, who fails to understand the weight and pricelessness of the office he occupies, to lend the highest office in the land to that shocking piece of chicanery is both to denigrate all that Nigeria ever aspired to be and to set a dangerous and dispiriting example for the coming generations. It would have been better if Dr Jonathan kept to his untruth of not being interested in the NGF election.