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Tag: Jonathan

  • Tinubu advises Jonathan to address issues

    Tinubu advises Jonathan to address issues

    Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday described the President Goodluck Jonathan administration as a “rudderless presidency”.

    He rejected his description as a political liability by a presidential aide, Dr. Doyin Okupe, stressing that his achievement, as the former governor of Lagos State and party leader are impeccable.

    A statement by Tinubu’s media aide, Mr. Sunday Dare, urged the President’s aide to address cogent issues, instead of attacking personalities.

    The statement reads: “Nigerians, once again, are being entertained by the Abuja theater circus. Figures and numbers that translate to nothing for the ordinary Nigerian are being bandied as achievements. Their penchant for dancing naked in the market place is now commonplace.

    “The small-minded media minstrels of Abuja are at it again. It is a curious thing. They call former Lagos Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari insignificant and are nothing to fear, yet they seem to spend so much of their time on them. Does the eagle fear the sparrow or does an elephant fear a blade of grass? Despite their huffing and puffing, they know they are not the eagle or the elephant. Deep in their hearts, they fear that the APC has the potential for change that they lack.

    “Governor Tinubu and Gen. Buhari are flattered by the attention. But Nigerians must heed the warning signs about this government and its anti-people policies. If they would only do their work as they should, the opposition and indeed millions of Nigerians would have very little to say but to congratulate them. “Instead they chase after the opposition leaders like street kids running after a moving car. We have left them behind. They will soon be past history.

    “They can’t let their record speak for itself because it will only say bad things about them. Nigerians today are saddled with a government that lacks the presence of mind and the discipline to serve the people. The cluelessness of the current government needs no announcement. Their incompetencies need no contestation. It is large in the policy somersaults, mis-speak and economic and security malaise now prevalent.

    “Nigerians are currently saddled with a government asleep at the switch. This is a government engaged only in dynamic inactivity. Of motions and gyrations without moving Nigeria forward. Nigerians are eyewitnesses to history and will be the judge when the time comes. They are possessed by the greatest political fear of them all – not that people will mistake who they are but that the people truly know who they are.

    “Thus, in a futile attempt, they seek to belittle the accomplishments of Governor Tinubu as governor of Lagos, they shoot themselves in the foot. There is concrete and verifiable evidence about the transformation of Lagos, a foundation laid by Governor Tinubu and his team. The Tinubu-Fashola plan for the transformation of Lagos has worked. And as members of the same party they had a coherent plan to develop Lagos State.

    “Can they say the same thing about anything at the federal level? Everything they touch gets broken. They call what they are doing a transformation agenda. They seem to want to transform the nation into one big failure. Nigerians have endured this with grace and good humor. It is time for serious people with serious plans to address the serious problems we face.

    “The Federal Government presides over failure after failure, yet they spend time criticizing the success that is Lagos. Tinubu and Fashola can walk anywhere in Lagos in peace and without an army to protect them. I wonder if they can make that claim about their leaders and the whole of Nigeria. No one needs a President on lock down in Aso Villa all the time, completely isolated from the people he governs.

    “A leader who locks down every city he visits in Nigeria for security reasons is not our idea of a successful citizen friendly leader. There is no greater liability than such a presidency.”

     

  • Jonathan probes high civilian casualties

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday ordered a full-scale investigation into reports of high civilian casualties in the confrontation between soldiers and insurgents at Baga, a border community in Borno State.

    The presidential order followed preliminary briefings from the military high Command on the incident,

    A statement from the Presidency said: “While the preliminary briefings indicate that the casualty figures being reported by the foreign media may be grossly exaggerated, President Jonathan assures Nigerians and the global community that the Federal Government of Nigeria places the highest possible value on the lives of all citizens of the country and that his administration will continue to do everything possible to avoid the killing or injuring of innocent bystanders in security operations against terrorists and insurgents.

    “Rules of engagement for the military and security agencies are already in place for this purpose and the investigation ordered by President Jonathan into the incident in Baga is to amongst other things, determine whether or not these rules were fully complied with.

    “The President has also ordered the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) and federal health agencies to liaise with the Borno State Government and take urgent steps to provide immediate relief and medical support for all who suffered losses and injury in the fighting at Baga.

    “He commiserates with all those who have regrettably lost their lives in the fighting, including the soldiers who gallantly made the supreme sacrifice in the operation against terrorism, insurgency and insecurity in Nigeria.

    “The President is deeply pained by the continuance of these needless deaths and will continue to do all within his powers to achieve lasting peace, security and stability in all parts of the country.

    “It is his hope and expectation that the national committee which he will inaugurate on Wednesday (tomorrow) for dialogue and the peaceful resolution of security challenges in the North will contribute significantly to ending the continuous loss of lives to wasteful violence.”

     

  • Jonathan to support lawyers

    President Goodluck Jonathan has assured lawyers of his admnistration’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for them to practise.

    Jonathan spoke in Abuja at the weekend at a dinner held by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to raise funds for its planned headquarters building to be known as the NBA House.

    The President, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, said he would support the association in realising its objective.

    Jonathan said the nation’s Bar deserves to be sufficiently and well accommodated to enable it effectively perform its role in the society.

     

  • Corruption: Jonathan defends administration

    Corruption: Jonathan defends administration

    •Allegations blown out of proportion

    PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has disagreed with the United States (U.S.) Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Country Report on Human Rights Practices that government officials are neck deep in corruption.

    He said the claims of massive corruption were misplaced and over-amplified.

    Speaking at the signing of the Presidential Power Reform Transactions at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, President Jonathan said the Federal Government has taken many steps to discourage corruption.

    According to him, reforming the power sector and handling of the fertiliser distribution have been transparent under his leadership.

    The President said: “I’m particularly pleased to hear directly from the private sector that the process was transparent and those stories of corruption were not heard.

    “Let me continue to assure Nigerians that ‘yes there are issues of corruption in this country, but somehow it has been over amplified’.

    “People should watch how we have been conducting government business. We have been bringing down the issues of corruption gradually.

    “If you look at the fertiliser sector, you will agree with me that if government actors are interested, we would have continued the same story of buying all kinds of things, awarding all kinds of contracts in the name of fertiliser.

    “But we are not doing that. We have sanitised that sector. Look at the power sector, when we started. Initially, there were stories in the papers but in the end, even when I was in the US, companies from there that participated said publicly that the process was transparent and issues of corruption were not there.

    “At least today, we have also heard directly, that the process was transparent and that there were no issues of manipulation or corruption.

    “I plead with Nigerians that the country belongs to all of us and we will all protect what belongs to us, what belongs to our children and what belongs to the generation yet unborn. We are committed to doing our best for this country, God willing, we will succeed.

    “To underscore our government’s commitment to transparency, our renewed emphasis on inclusiveness in core transactions and sustain the current tempo of transformation in the power sector, it became imperative that the meeting be publicly held here, instead of doing it in the confines of the offices of the transacting parties.

    “I can assure you that in spite of daunting challenges, we will not waver in the commitment that has seen the fundamentals of our economy advancing, compared to several economies around the world.

    “We continue to command prime attention as a preferred long-term investment destination in Africa and our electricity sector, in particular, maintains its promise of reasonable returns on investment and ease of entry, for all interested investors.

    “I must acknowledge that since I effectively kick-started the power reform agenda in August 2010 with the launching of the Power Sector Reform Roadmap, and bearing in mind the scale and complexity of our power sector, considerable progress has been made.”

    The President also said the government will not rest on its oars till the power sector has been fully reformed and stable power supply delivered.

    But he warned that the government will not entertain short-cuts in the power reform processes.

    His words: “To fellow Nigerians, my dear brothers and sisters, this age-long problem of inadequate power supply will be brought to an end.

    “We are dealing in a very dedicated way with much overdue infrastructural and corporate upgrades, and despite the challenges, we are making steady progress daily, towards permanent and lasting correction.

    “Nigerians must have electricity for domestic and industrial use and there is no turning back and there is no relenting.

    “This government cares about you and will not rest until you can sleep well at night without the irritating noise of generators.

    “Let me reassure all Nigerians, that working in concert with our partners, we will continue to pursue the reform of the power sector with intensity, vigour and determination; there is no shortcut possible. This is a significant event.

    “I call on all sector agencies to redouble their efforts, sustain their vigilance, and increase the level of cooperation and synergy amongst themselves required for the earliest completion and delivery of the structures and services, that will meet the needs and expectations of our population. Nigerians deserve the best and we cannot afford to offer less..”

    Recalling that the complex web of trading regimes evolved out of the ingenuity of the market participants in the telecommunications and banking industries in Nigeria, he said that the government will not design the market structures for the Nigerian electricity industry.

     

  • Jonathan vs. Amaechi: Again, judiciary on the spot

    Jonathan vs. Amaechi: Again, judiciary on the spot

    Nigeria’s judiciary suffered a major setback in its determination at ensuring fair dispensation of justice on Monday April 15 in Abuja High Court. Justice Ishaq Bello sacked the Rivers State executive of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and approved the election of a parallel executive and a faction of the party.

    The issues in Rivers State politics especially with regard to Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the PDP are well known. What is however strange and disturbing in the barefaced verdict is the consequences of this action on our judicial system and the consolidation of democracy. The sacked executive, led by Chief Godspower Ake enjoyed the support of Governor Amaechi while the parallel faction recently imposed on the people of Rivers State is loyal to Nyesom Wike, Minister of State for Education who is alleged to have been drafted by the Presidency to spearhead this onslaught against the people of Rivers State and their outspoken governor.

    Unknown to many Nigerians, what has turned out to be a judgement usurping the powers of a democratically elected executive is fraught with irregularities and absurdities. For instance, to all intents and purposes, the perceived crisis in Rivers State occasioned by the presidency’s undue interference is serving nobody’s interest. Aside that, this issue that resurfaced in an Abuja High Court is strictly an intra party matter which presupposes that it would not have been taken to court for adjudication in the first place. More so, the party congress that happened took place in Port Harcourt, not in Abuja. It is therefore inconceivable for a supposedly “local” case to be heard in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja and not even the Federal High Court. Lawyers will tell you this is absurdity of the first order.

    Baffling too is the fact that the state congress that produced the Chief Ake led executive took place in March 2012 and it took almost a whole year for the petitioners to file their case. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC was joined in the matter of Obuah and one other versus Chief Ake and others before an FCT high court. By my elementary knowledge of law, this case was clearly filed out of time coming almost a year after the completion of the congress, thus statute barred. The judge also ignored this well known principle of law.

    There is also the outstanding issue of gross criminal allegations and the manner the judge treated it leaves much to be desired. Whereas there was an allegation of fraud and forgery, yet no witness was called throughout this trial. The trial judge relied on affidavit evidence sworn to by one of the officials who conducted the congress. This is against the spirit and practice of the law.

    The trial judge also deliberately ignored a report from INEC which monitored the state congress as enshrined in the Electoral Act. It is quite ironic that these characters who now brandish a spurious court victory did not even purchase nomination forms nor where they found anywhere near the venue of the PDP congress.

    These developments are disquieting and posse a great danger to our democracy. There is no doubt that the judiciary and the work they do is a pillar in the consolidation of democracy. Daily, we drift steadily towards full blown dictatorship yet we all seem helpless. What is happening today in Nigeria is distressing and calls for urgent intervention from all men of goodwill.

    Sadly, those entrusted with the onerous task of keeping Nigeria running are the same people undermining and desecrating our institutions. Even a blind man can see the unseen hands of the perpetrators of the crisis in the PDP across the country and this is traceable to the Presidency. There is nothing accidental about this latest onslaught in Rivers State PDP considering the running battle between the Presidency and Governor Amaechi. As a people, I think it is time we took the affairs of our country more seriously.

    Fortunately, some Nigerians are already speaking out against this unjustified abuse that our country is subjected to almost on a daily basis. They are alarmed at the despoliation of the political space and the impending doom.

    For a judicial system that only recently embarked on measures to rid its rank and file of corrupt officials, this is a test case. The National Judicial Council, NJC must quickly act to restore confidence in the judiciary if the revered institution hopes to remain as generally perceived as the last hope of the common man. There is no doubt that the action of Justice Bello will impact negatively on the credibility of our courts. This is absolutely needless.

    As election year approaches, it has become very imperative for Nigerians to be more vigilant and participatory in this arduous task of building a country we can proudly bequeath to the next generation. We must also show interest in the affairs of our nation; that is the only way to build a great country. To assume that we are still learning because our democracy is still relatively young and evolving presupposes that we may learn forever and this will do us more harm. Therefore when patriots like Amaechi challenge any contradictory reality that is inconsistent with our federal structure, we must not stand aloof and watch.

    I believe that every serious Nigerian must be gravely worried at the turn of events in our country today particularly with our parties and their promoters. Less than twenty-four hours after obtaining the controversial judgement, a kangaroo swearing-in ceremony was arranged by some members of the PDP National Working Committee in Abuja. As a people, we must begin to take ourselves more seriously and the time to avoid taking actions that would haunt us in the future now.

     

    • Salami, Executive Director, Judiciary Watch Initiative writes from Lagos.

     

  • 2015: Jonathan in secret meeting with Ooni, 22 Yoruba obas

    2015: Jonathan in secret meeting with Ooni, 22 Yoruba obas

    President Goodluck Jonathan has a date with Southwest traditional rulers tomorrow.

    Twenty-three obas are due to attend the meeting, an initiative of the President, at the Aso Rock Villa.

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, will lead the traditional rulers, sources said last night.

    “The obas are going to Abuja at the invitation of the President. He has been reaching out to the traditional institution in Yorubaland for a while now. The meeting is as a result of his incessant rapport with the leadership of the obas in the region.

    “He wants the obas to help him reach out to the political elite in the region ahead of the 2015 general election. On many occasions, his emissaries have told our traditional rulers of the President’s desire to have them on his side as he prepares to battle the opposition in 2015, especially in the Southwest which is an opposition stronghold.”

    It was gathered that the Ooni personally handled the invitation of the obas for the meeting.

    A few top obas had allegedly held several meeting with the President before now to discuss the viability of Jonathan’s 2015 presidential ambition especially as it concerns voters in the Southwest.

    It was gathered that following extensive discussions, it was agreed that a larger contingent of traditional rulers from the region should meet with the president with a view to hearing from him directly on his aspiration and plan for the geo-political zone.

    The idea is that the visit will avail them of information to pass on to their subjects on the return from Abuja.

    Sources said: “It is no longer news that Jonathan wants to win the Southwest at all cost. This meeting is one of the ways he wants to penetrate the region and he intends to use the traditional rulers to achieve his desire.

    “The number of traditional rulers invited by the organisers for the trip was in excess of the 23 that agreed to go to Abuja tomorrow. Many of the obas contacted declined to be part of the team.

    “Many of the obas invited from Osun State turned down the invitation after considering their relationship with the governor of the state. One of the traditional rulers declined to be part of the trip. He will be on his way out of the country tomorrow as a decoy.”

    It was also gathered that the organisers of the trip plan to explain it away as part of the effort to find an enduring solution to the current security challenges in the country.

    An activist and leader of the Yoruba Renaissance Movement (YRM) Dr. Seeni Olaforiju, dismissed the planned meeting as a big disappointment.

    His words:”There is no doubt that these traditional rulers are going to Abuja on their own accord. They surely do not have the mandate of their people to go and discuss politics with Jonathan.

    “If they think they can help the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to penetrate the Southwest, then they are joking because they will fail. Yoruba are no fools and they know their leaders. Jonathan and the obas are just wasting their time.

    “What has Jonathan done for the Southwest since he came on board? This is a man we supported when some forces wanted to prevent him from succeeding his late boss. What we got as a people is nothing but acute marginalisation, disregard and disrespect at the end of the day. Now he wants to use traditional rulers to hoodwink us.

    “The fear of the merging political party is leading Jonathan to seek help where he will not find any. As much as we respect the traditional institution in Yorubaland, we also know how to say no to those who may want to lead us astray. The obas can go to Abuja and enter into whatever agreement they like, we will be waiting for them in 2015.”

  • 2015: Jonathan in secret meeting with Ooni, 22 Yoruba obas

    2015: Jonathan in secret meeting with Ooni, 22 Yoruba obas

    President Goodluck Jonathan has a date with Southwest traditional rulers tomorrow.

    Twenty-three obas are due to attend the meeting, an initiative of the President, at the Aso Rock Villa.

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, will lead the traditional rulers, sources said last night.

    “The obas are going to Abuja at the invitation of the President. He has been reaching out to the traditional institution in Yorubaland for a while now. The meeting is as a result of his incessant rapport with the leadership of the obas in the region.

    “He wants the obas to help him reach out to the political elite in the region ahead of the 2015 general election. On many occasions, his emissaries have told our traditional rulers of the President’s desire to have them on his side as he prepares to battle the opposition in 2015, especially in the Southwest which is an opposition stronghold.”

    It was gathered that the Ooni personally handled the invitation of the obas for the meeting.

    A few top obas had allegedly held several meeting with the President before now to discuss the viability of Jonathan’s 2015 presidential ambition especially as it concerns voters in the Southwest.

    It was gathered that following extensive discussions, it was agreed that a larger contingent of traditional rulers from the region should meet with the president with a view to hearing from him directly on his aspiration and plan for the geo-political zone.

    The idea is that the visit will avail them of information to pass on to their subjects on the return from Abuja.

    Sources said: “It is no longer news that Jonathan wants to win the Southwest at all cost. This meeting is one of the ways he wants to penetrate the region and he intends to use the traditional rulers to achieve his desire.

    “The number of traditional rulers invited by the organisers for the trip was in excess of the 23 that agreed to go to Abuja tomorrow. Many of the obas contacted declined to be part of the team.

    “Many of the obas invited from Osun State turned down the invitation after considering their relationship with the governor of the state. One of the traditional rulers declined to be part of the trip. He will be on his way out of the country tomorrow as a decoy.”

    It was also gathered that the organisers of the trip plan to explain it away as part of the effort to find an enduring solution to the current security challenges in the country.

    An activist and leader of the Yoruba Renaissance Movement (YRM) Dr. Seeni Olaforiju, dismissed the planned meeting as a big disappointment.

    His words:”There is no doubt that these traditional rulers are going to Abuja on their own accord. They surely do not have the mandate of their people to go and discuss politics with Jonathan.

    “If they think they can help the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to penetrate the Southwest, then they are joking because they will fail. Yoruba are no fools and they know their leaders. Jonathan and the obas are just wasting their time.

    “What has Jonathan done for the Southwest since he came on board? This is a man we supported when some forces wanted to prevent him from succeeding his late boss. What we got as a people is nothing but acute marginalisation, disregard and disrespect at the end of the day. Now he wants to use traditional rulers to hoodwink us.

    “The fear of the merging political party is leading Jonathan to seek help where he will not find any. As much as we respect the traditional institution in Yorubaland, we also know how to say no to those who may want to lead us astray. The obas can go to Abuja and enter into whatever agreement they like, we will be waiting for them in 2015.”

  • 2015: PDP under fire over Jonathan’s 32 states order

    2015: PDP under fire over Jonathan’s 32 states order

    Merger ‘ll kill PDP, says CPC

    The President and his ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were under attack yesterday over their plot to win 32 states in 2015.

    Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) National Chairman Tony Momoh told the PDP to be prepared to lose 32 states in the next general elections.

    PDP Chairman Bamanga Tukur said on Monday that the party got Presidential order to win 32 states. Besides, he described the coming election as “a serious battle”, which his party members must prepare for.

    Momoh, who expressed displeasure at the expanded National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja over Tukur’s statement, vowed to ensure that PDP is sent to the “grave” in 2015.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), he said, will perfect the merger of top opposition parties, which will kick PDP out of power.

    His words: “We want merger and it is only when we merge that we can solve the problems in Nigeria today and take a decision to send PDP to the grave. Someone is already saying that PDP will win 32 states in 2015. I think he was misreported. I think what he may have had in mind is that PDP will lose 32 states in 2015. I don’t know where the courage is from. We will work hard, make sacrifices and ensure we move into the merger and grow the new party (APC) so that Nigeria will have the change it needs.

    “Incidentally, I use this opportunity to mention that the merger is being promoted to set an agenda, to look at the constitution and ensure that Nigerians who have sovereignty, this sovereignty is returned to them. The sovereignty has been stolen from them for the last 12 years and it must be returned to them. We will ensure that welfare and security, that which is in the constitution, are reached.

    “As you can see now, there is no welfare and no security.

    “For the first time in Nigeria, the adoption of merger is necessary – if that is what it will take for change to come and if Nigeria must lead, then the change must come. We are not those who believe that the heavens will come down. We are ready to make a sacrifice; this may be the last meeting that we will have before the merger. I am saying this because lots of people are saying that we have nothing to offer. I can tell them that we are ready to take over.”

    All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) National Publicity Secretary Emma Eneukwu said Nigerians could no longer be fooled by “ mere boasts by a political party”.

    He described Tukur’s speech as that of a man trying to console himself by talking big. He advised Tukur to keep his peace as, according to him, the day of reckoning is already at hand.

    Said Eneukwu: “He is only trying to console himself by talking big. The elections will be done by Nigerians who will rate them according to their performance in the past 12 years. Nigerians are not fools who can be deceived by mere boasts by a party that had plunged the country into terrible darkness. The day of reckoning is approaching.”

    To the National Publicity Secretary of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Osita Okechukwu, Tukur should be more concerned with how he would maintain the 23 states in its party’s fold.

    He doubted if the Adamawa-born businessman-turned-politician was actually given that directive by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He said it was a face-saving posture by an embattled party boss who called a meeting of 23 governors and 21 of them failed to honour his call.

    “Tukur is grandstanding. I don’t believe that the President gave that directive. It was his own way of trying to redeem his sagging image and influence. His party has 23 governors now; his burden is how to maintain them first, rather than think of how to increase them. He is presently embattled, you know. He called a meeting and 21 out of 23 governors did not turn up. Is that not a big problem for him? He must sort out his problem first before thinking of capturing more states.”

    This is the second time in less than three months that Tukur has beaten the drums of war in respect of the 2015 general election. In February during a tour of the North Central Zone in Kaduna, he said the elections would be “a big war”.

    To the Chairman of the ACN in Ekiti State, Chief Jide Awe Tukur’s assurance that the PDP would capture a minimum of 32 states as an “open invitation to anarchy”.

    Awe spoke yesterday at a press conference at the ACN secretariat in Ajilosun, Ado-Ekiti, is the state capital, warning that the “directive is blatant expression of preparedness for war”.

    According to Awe, the fact that Ekiti State’s governorship election will be held in 2014 is an indication that the people must be prepared for war from PDP.

    Urging Nigerians to be wakeful to threats by the ruling party, Awe noted that “PDP is giving itself away at such an early time as to make us all expectant and fearful.”

    He said: “ACN demands serious explanation from the President referring to the whole nation as a captured nation.

    “I believe he is not inviting the military to take over the governance of this state because all the words he (President) used are military’s.

    “You don’t capture with votes but with arms and ammunition. This trend has been orchestrated and sustained within the PDP since its inception in this country. My fear is for 2014 election in Ekiti and we don’t want Ekiti to be thrown into crisis because you will need to test the ammunition you acquired somewhere.”

    “And I am sure those states he does not love include Bornu Plateau and other states where there have been killings and maiming of innocent souls.”

    “This so-called directive must not embolden the elements of the PDP in this state. Ekiti is ready to resist imposition in any form.”

     

  • Presidency: Jonathan yet to decide on 2015

    Presidency: Jonathan yet to decide on 2015

    • No PDP member endorsed to run as governor

    PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has not spoken of his political future after serving out his term in 2015, his spokesman Dr Reuben Abati said yesterday.

    Abati said the claim that his boss has constituted a re-election committee lacked merit as the President has not made up his mind on whether to seek re-election or not.

    The spokesman also told those dropping Mr President’s name as anointed candidates that nobody has been endorsed for the governorship of any state in 2015.

    Abati, in a statement said that no Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member has his boss’ blessing for the race.

    Stressing that the president’s focus was not on 2015 elections, Abati said his boss’ primary concern was how to implement the transformation agenda of his administration.

    The statement reads: “In spite of clear and unambiguous pronouncements by President Goodluck Jonathan that he remains fully focused on the implementation of his administration’s agenda for national transformation and not the politics of future elections, the Presidency has noted with concern that some individuals, groups, organisations and sections of the media have continued to foster the myth of a President and administration solely concerned with jostling and self-positioning for the 2015 elections.”

    Abati was reacting to a report at the weekend that 21-member committee has been raised with a mandate to smoothen the way for President Jonathan’s second term bid.

    “The president’s aides and associates have set up a 21-member committee to advise (President) Jonathan on the viability of his entry into the presidential contest in 2015,” the report was quoted in the report.

    The report reads: “The impression is further created that a group known as ‘We, the people’ has its roots in the Presidency and that the 2015 campaign has now become the main preoccupation of the Presidency. This is totally untrue and without any basis in reality.

    “As he has truthfully declared on several occasions, President Jonathan has not yet taken a decision on whether or not he will seek re-election in 2015 and has therefore not mandated any individual, committee or organisation to start working on his behalf for the 2015 elections.

    “He (President) therefore wished to be left alone to focus on delivering on his promise of good governance and national transformation without unnecessary distractions.

    “Political jobbers and their collaborators in the media should stop heating up the polity with baseless speculations and falsehoods revolving around imaginary plans and schemes by the Presidency for the 2015 elections.”

    The Presidency also reacted to the emerging trend by those eyeing political offices in future elections to drop the President’s name to promote themselves and their vaulting ambitions.

    It said: “It was clearly in this regard that some unscrupulous persons began to print 2015 campaign posters with President Jonathan’s photograph whereas the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to announce the commencement of campaigns and political parties are yet to conduct any primaries for the selection of candidates.

    “Perhaps, the most audacious illustration of this trend and resort to mischief and opportunism is represented by an advertorial which appeared at page 14 of the Saturday Vanguard of April 13, 2013 signed by one OBITEX Industrial and Investment Company Limited.

    “The colour advert shows President Jonathan purportedly raising the hand of Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo, under the umbrella of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with the unmistakable suggestion that the President has endorsed Nze Nwankpo as the PDP Gubernatorial candidate for Anambra State.”

    The statement quoted the advertiser as saying: “As Mr. President, His Excellency Dr. Ebele Goodluck Jonathan has symbolically raise (sic) up your hands, so you have been chosen by the God Almighty to be the Governor of Anambra State come 2014.”

    The statement said it was instructive that the so-called raising of hand was represented through an artist’s sketch, and not a photograph with verifiable, empirical value.

    It said: “For the benefit of the unwary, the Presidency emphatically states that President Jonathan has not endorsed any candidate for any position whatsoever ahead of the 2015 general elections neither has he commissioned persons to start campaigns for his own candidature,” he added

    “As a leader who respects the rule of law, President Jonathan respects the fact that there are laid down procedures, defined by INEC and the political parties, for the selection of candidates for any election.

    “As a law abiding citizen, President Jonathan will not engage in any act, symbolic or direct, that runs counter to laid-down procedures.

    “As a loyal party man, he will equally not do anything that will amount to the usurpation of the party’s structures and powers to conduct primaries and choose candidates for elections.

    “We, therefore , disown the claims and allegations of Presidential endorsements or the commencement of 2015 campaigns. The general public and affected stakeholders are advised to be wary of the kind of opportunism, misrepresentation and mischief that usually arise ahead of elections in general.”

    “The Presidency seizes this opportunity to warn all 2015 political office seekers, and their sponsors, friends or collaborators, to desist from unconscionable exploitation of President Jonathan’s name in the service of jaded antics of self-aggrandisement, promotion and positioning.”

     

  • Jonathan orders PDP to capture 32 states in 2015

    Jonathan orders PDP to capture 32 states in 2015

    ACN: they’re day-dreaming

     

    The President has given his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) an order to win at least 32 states in the 2015 elections, Chairman Bamanga Tukur said yesterday.

    Tukur did not say when Dr. Goodluck Jonathan gave the directive, but he told the party members to start preparing for the 2015 elections, saying “it’s going to be a serious battle”.

    The chairman spoke when a group of party members in the Southwest visited him in his Abuja residence.

    According to him, the presidential mandate is to win more than the 23 states the party controls.

    Stressing the need for immediate preparations for the elections, Tukur said 2015 is closer than many imagine.

    He told the group that the PDP would uphold President Jonathan’s resolve to conduct free, fair and transparent elections.

    The chairman rated elections conducted under the Jonathan administration as some of the freest so far.

    He urged party members in the Southwest to close ranks and deliver the zone to the PDP “to prove to the world that the party has the widest spread in the country”.

    Tukur said: “We need to work hard now because we have a presidential mandate to move beyond 23 states in our control and win at least 32. We have to show electoral strength this time. In doing it, we will work hard and work well. We will move with the speed of jet and we will deliver without any foul antics.

    “I use this opportunity to appeal to our members to bury the hatchet and cast away whatever forlorn hope they nurse about the future. I appeal to our members to begin to invest in the future right away and doing so involves hard work, diligence and dedication to the cause of PDP.”

    According to him, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party plans to begin a state-by-state tour to ginger up members while intensifying reconciliation, reformation and re-building of the party.

    A former Oyo State governorship candidate of the party, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, who led the delegation, lauded the PDP on its ongoing peace initiative.

    Adedoja praised Tukur for his efforts in rallying different groups within the party for reconciliation. He, however, said that there were still some unresolved issues in the Southwest zone of the PDP.

    Through its National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) reacted to the ruling party’s plan to win more states in 2015.

    The ACN spokesman said the PDP would be disappointed at the next general elections as Nigerians are fed up with its leadership.

    But Mohammed said there would not be any state for the PDP to capture in 2015 as the people will defend their votes.

    He told The Nation: “The PDP has forgotten that we are in a democratic dispensation and that the ruling party is not an army of occupation. Nigerians are not only going to vote for the party of their choice but ensure that their votes count.

    “Jonathan and Tukur are going to wake up one day and discover that they have been living in fools’ paradise. They will discover that the people deserted them a long time ago.”

    The AC N is merging with the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and others form the All Progressive Congress (APC), which its promoters believed will kick the PDP out of power.