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Tag: Jonathan

  • Jonathan won’t influence anti-graft agencies, says Okupe

    The Presidency yesterday assured the United States Government that the Goodluck Jonathan administration would not influence the operations of any of the anti-graft agencies.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, spoke in Abuja when he received the US Counsellor on Political Affairs, Mr. Gregory Lawless.

    Okupe said the Jonathan administration has ensured that anti-graft agencies operate without manipulation to entrench the principles of separation of powers, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

    The President’s aide stressed that the relationship between both countries remained cordial, despite some disagreements over the state pardon granted former Bayelsa Governor Diepreye Alamieyesiegha, who was convicted for money laundering in the United Kingdom (UK).

    He explained that the ties between the US and Nigeria were built on mutual interests and cooperation, particularly on economy, security and good governance.

    According to him, the mutual interests cannot be destroyed by disagreements on one or two issues.

    Okupe said: “The Nigerian Government and the Government of the United States have no major disagreements on issues of bilateral relationship; they will continue to work together to strengthen cooperation, especially on the operations of the Bi-National Commission.

    “Nigeria and the US are irrevocably committed to the success of the Bi-National Commission, which was initiated by the two countries in 2010.

    “The commission has a mandate to promote issues of security, power and energy; governance and institutional integrity; food security as well as sustainable peace, security and development in the Niger Delta.”

    The President’s aide assured the US official of President Jonathan’s commitment to tackling insecurity, particularly the Boko Haram insurgency in parts of the North.

    Okupe added that the safety and security of Nigerians and foreigners in any part of the country are guaranteed by the Federal Government.

    The spokesman said the US Government appreciated the role of the Nigerian Government in the ongoing military operations in Mali, adding that the administration would continue to partner the international community on how to guarantee regional security.

     

  • 2015: AD not backing Jonathan, says Koleoso

    2015: AD not backing Jonathan, says Koleoso

    The Alliance for Democracy (AD) has said that it has no intention of backing President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term ambition in 2015, saying there is no basis for endorsing his candidature.

    Its National Chairman Chief Michael Koleoso, said the statement credited to Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa, endorsing the President was a ruse, adding that he was not mandated to speak on behalf of the party.

    He spoke with reporters at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting Lagos.

    It was attended by the National Deputy Chairman, Musa Umar, National Secretary Mogaji Kuranga and National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Rev. Tunji Adebiyi.

    Koleoso described Akinfenwa as an impostor parading himself as the national chairman, in gross violation of the Abuja High Court ruling that he should desist from causing confusion in the fold.

    He lamented that Akinfenwa had missed his ideological steps by affirming support for an administration that has failed Nigerians. The AD leader said the Ijesa-born politician has mocked his antecedent as a principled politician in the progressive vineyard.

    Koleoso said: “AD has not affirmed any support for President Jonathan. Akinfenwa is on his own. He is not the national chairman of the AD. He should stop parading himself as the chairman. A Federal High Court has ruled in Abuja that I am the authentic national chairman. Akinfenwa should stop creating confusion. He is not the chairman of the AD)”.

    Sources said that President Goodluck Jonathan, in his bid to penetrate the Southwest, has been attracting to himself certain Afenifere and AD leaders in the region who are opposed to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The source added that the factional Afenifere, led by Chief Reuben Fasoranti, may also follow suit by endorsing the President for the 2015 election.

    Akinfenwa, who was deposed as the AD factional chairman by the court, is a member of the Fasoranti faction of the Afenifere. In fact, Afenifere broke into two camps in Akure, the Ondo State capital, when the Acting Leader, Fasoranti, declared that Akinfenwa was the authentic AD chairman. Those backing Fasoranti are Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Senator Femi Okurounmu, and Dr. Frederick Fasehun.

    Following the declaration, the group split into two. Those against Fasoranti were led by Senator Ayo Fasanmi. In this faction are Senator Bola Tinubu, Aremo Olusegunn Osoba, Koleoso, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Chief Bisi Akande, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Oba Olatunji Hamzat, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, and Chief Busura Alebiosu. The Fasanmi faction believed that Akande was the national chairman of the AD.

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo infiltrated the AD and weakened the platform, ahead of the 2007 polls. Thus, when a new party supported by the Fasanmi faction, Action Congress (AC), was formed, Akande resigned as the AD chairman to become the AC chairman. Koleoso, who was the deputy chairman, became the chairman of the AD.

    Koleoso stressed that, rather than teaming up with Jonathan, AD would work closely with the like-minded opposition parties in the proposed All Progressives Congress (APC) to redeem Nigeria.

    He said: “AD is the oldest progressive party in this dispensation. We will remain committed to the vision and ideals of our founding fathers. We will not depart from their ideology. We will remain the reference point. We will not work with the conservative elements who have ruined the country.

     

  • Jonathan’s punctuated Easter message

    Jonathan’s punctuated Easter message

    By some reckoning, President Goodluck Jonathan spoke for less than 10 minutes during the Easter Sunday service at Our Saviour’s Church Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. As usual he spoke extemporaneously, and whenever he does that, he delights the media with simple homilies or egregious political howlers. But on this day, the first time he would celebrate Easter in Lagos since he assumed office in 2011, there was no egregious political statement delivered, nor was there any homily. Perhaps frustrated by comments and criticisms that often followed his quaint political philosophies and dreamy exegeses whenever he attended a church service, he decided to play safe this time. It must dismay the faithful that the president’s short message and that of former military head of state, Gen Yakubu Gowon, superseded the sermon of the day. Most newspapers indeed glossed over the sermon, noting only that the vicar of the church, Igbein Isemede, remarked that Nigeria’s colonial governors-general worshipped at the church.

    By contrast, United States President Barack Obama worshipped at the St. John’s Episcopal Church, a few blocks from the White House in Washington, D.C. If Obama made any remarks at the Easter Sunday service, this columnist missed it. Instead what made the news was the tone and stridency of the sermon by the Rev. Luis León. “It drives me crazy when the captains of the religious right are always calling us back … for blacks to be back in the back of the bus … for women to be back in the kitchen … for immigrants to be back on their side of the border,” the preacher said, knowing full well he would draw flak. Sometime soon, the culture in Nigerian churches will change to debar a visiting president from mounting the pulpit and talking shop, for it is neither spiritually appropriate nor even politically wise.

    But notwithstanding the inappropriateness of inviting the president to say a word or two, Jonathan, as he is wont, chose something fairly noteworthy to speak on. Apparently, he recognised he must give newspapers something worthy of their front pages and headlines. However, through no fault of his, circumstances beyond his control pushed the story in a direction he could not have imagined. He had begun his Easter remarks with these harmless words of encouragement: “I promise that I will do my best. I will not disappoint Nigerians, within the limitation of our resources, to fix our infrastructure. Our rail system is coming up. We promise to fix our roads so that Nigerians can move freely. We promise to stabilise power in this country.” Ignore his idiosyncratic syntax; but as soon as he spoke of electricity, and as if on cue, there was a power cut. A flustered Jonathan made light of the hitch by switching gear. He said: “I believe they (those behind power supply) know that I am here that is why they took light; at least, to remind me that I must not sleep until we stabilise power. God willing, next year, they will not take light again.”

    The power cut predictably became the peg of the following day’s news reports of the president’s visit. Under the military, the outage would have been considered either treasonable or deliberately intended to embarrass. But the country is so inured to power cuts that no one, not even the president, bats an eyelid anymore. Jonathan’s promise that next year would witness the end of power cuts is significant. Next year is virtually around the corner. But it will not be the first time the goal post had been shifted. It was shifted repeatedly during the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo presidency so much that it was impossible to believe the goal post was still in the field of play. And just as deadlines were shifted, so, too, notoriously were output targets shifted. Today, neither deadlines nor targets are realistic.

    The president must, therefore, consider himself lucky that the said power outage rescued the triteness of his remarks. Considering the humdrumness of the president’s message, reporters would have had little or nothing to take back to their editors, and the venerable vicar would have been at a loss why the media glossed over the epoch-making presence of the president at a church service the like of which colonial era governors-general used to dignify with their stately presence.

     

  • Jonathan condoles with Awolowo family

    Jonathan condoles with Awolowo family

    • Says death painful but God knows why it happened

     

    Amid heavy security within and the outside the Ikenne home of the pantheon of Yoruba politics, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday paid a condolence visit to the matriarch of Awo’s family, Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo, over the death of Chief Oluwole Awolowo.

    Jonathan who was ushered into the sprawling Awolowo’s compound by the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Prince Segun Adesegun, where he met Mama HID, assured the family that his administration would render necessary support to the children of the deceased.

    The late Awolowo, until his death last Wednesday at Wellington Hospital, St. Johnswood, London, was Mama and the late Papa Awo’s only surviving son and Publisher/ Vice Chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, (publishers of Tribune titles). He was aged 70.

    The former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, and the family members were on ground to receive the President.

    Earlier before his arrival around 2: 55p.m in a military chopper marked NAF 571, heavy security – undercover agents, operatives of the State Security Service(SSS), the Nigerian Army, the Police and the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were sighted keeping vigil at strategic locations in Awo’s home and streets leading to it.

    Visitors and vehicles in the area were frisked and asked to keep moving.

    Jonathan who sounded philosophical over the death of Oluwole said it was painful but added that only God knows why it happened at the time it did.

    He condoled with Mama, the family and prayed that God grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

    He said:”Mama accept our condolence. It’s a period that we lack words even though as a teacher and politician in some cases though I’m generally somebody of very few words. But in some situations, even the very few words disappear.

    “So we really lack words to express our feelings. Ordinarily at 70, which is why I have said that from Biblical injunction, three scores and ten, is an age where you thank God to attain, especially in a country where the average life span is quite below 50.

    “But under the circumstances, his death is painful to all of us. To me, I’ve seen the way the Awolowo family has taken me as their own and I would have loved to be here almost every day.

    “Gbenga Daniel can attest to that. You have taken me as your own; this is not the period to say it and I have the opportunity to say that and the whole world can know. I remain grateful to you for integrating me into the great Awolowo family.

     

     

     

     

     

     

      

  • Jonathan, Tinubu, govs eulogise Anyaoku at 80

    Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, walked tall yesterday during the celebration of his 80th birthday.

    The event, which held at his country home, Obosi in Idemili North Council Area of Anambra State, also coincided with the golden jubilee of his marriage.

    Prominent Nigerians led by President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, poured encomiums on the celebrator and his wife.

    Governors at the dual celebration include Comrade Adams Oshiomole(Edo), Peter Obi (Anambra), Theodore Orji(Abia), Rauf Aregbesola(Osun) and Rochas Okorocha(Osun).

    Jonathan, represented by the minister for Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, described Anyaoku as a leader whose commitment to the growth of the country is total.

    He called on him to re-dedicate himself to the service of God and humanity.

    Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), praised the ace administrator for his service to mankind.

    Tinubu described Anyaoku as a great Nigerian who stands for the unity of the country.

    The Primate and Metropolitan Archbishop of the Anglican Church Nigeria, Most Rev Nicholas Okoh, said the celebrator Anyaoku lives ‘’a life full of God’s favour and kindness’’.

    He charged him to re-dedicate his remaining life time to the service of the black race.

    Okoh urged the Anyaokus to always remember that they were kept together by God for the purpose of protecting the society and the black race.

  • Jonathan sues for peace, oneness

    Jonathan sues for peace, oneness

    PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to living in peace and oneness with members of their communities no matter their ethnicity, religious beliefs or places of origin.

    The president made the plea in his Easter message released by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati.

    The president said, “I greet and felicitate with you all as we celebrate Easter, which commemorates the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ, after his redemptive self-sacrifice for the eternal salvation of mankind.

    “By now, it ought to be an accepted fact amongst us that our immense potential for greatness in the comity of nations derives in the main from our collective strength as a country of close to 170 million people and the acclaimed richness of our diverse human resources and natural endowments.”

    President Jonathan said the people must also continue to effectively resist the evil machinations of global terrorists and their misguided domestic accomplices, “who seek to provoke turmoil, hatred and harmful divisions among us.”

    He said that the security agencies, armed forces and the administration would continue to discharge their constitutional responsibilities to protect the unity and territorial integrity of the country with all the powers and forces at their disposal.

     

  • FG committed to religious freedom – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday in Sokoto said the Federal Government is committed to fast tracking and ensuring freedom of religion among Nigerians.

    He also assured of a more responsive and acceptable path that would ensure peaceful coexistence among the citizenry, noting that the unity of the country was paramount for its development.

    The President, who in recent times had been making frantic calls for the unity of the country spoke while declaring open a two-day international conference on : ‘’ Islam and the Fundamentals of peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.’’

    Represented by his deputy, Arch.Namadi Sambo, the president noted with concern the numerous cases of religious violence in the country, cautioning that,’’ religion should not be used to justify violence.’’

    The conference was organized by the Sokoto State government in conjuction with the Muslim World League, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

    Jonathan, awakened the reasoning of Nigerians on religious belief while saying that ‘’ we should not use faith to cause havoc,” stressing that sectarian differences should not be allowed to thrive in the country’s quest for unity and peaceful coexistence.

    He noted that Inter-religious dialogue is an important tool in building and shaping the strength and unity of the society.

     

  • Jonathan greets Tinubu

    Jonathan greets Tinubu

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday identified with former Lagos governor and Action Congress of Nigeria (AC N) National leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who turns 61 today.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President prayed for many more years of fulfilment and God’s continued guide, guard and prosperity for Tinubu.

    The statement reads: “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has felicitated with former Lagos State governor and chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the occasion of his 61st birthday anniversary which comes up tomorrow.”

    In a letter to Asiwaju Tinubu, on behalf of himself and the Federal Government, the President said: “It is my prayer that Almighty God continues to guide, guard and prosper you even as He blesses you with many more years of fulfillment.”

  • Jonathan greets Tinubu at 61

    Jonathan greets Tinubu at 61

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday congratulated former Lagos State Governor and chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his 61st birthday which comes up on Friday.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President prayed for many more years of fulfilment for Asiwaju Tinubu and God’s continued guide, guard and prosperity.

    The Statement reads: “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has felicitated with former Lagos State governor and chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the occasion of his 61st birthday anniversary which comes up on Friday.

    “In a letter to Asiwaju Tinubu, on behalf of himself and the Federal Government, the President said, it is my prayer that Almighty God continues to guide, guard and prosper you even as He blesses you with many more years of fulfillment.”

     

  • Tukur jittery as Jonathan backs Anenih’s peace tour

    Tukur jittery as Jonathan backs Anenih’s peace tour

    Opponents renew anti-Amaechi battle ahead NGF election

    It was designed to bring peace and harmony, but the reconciliation tour in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seems to be opening another battle front.

    National Chairman Bamanga Tukur, who has just concluded a peace tour, is said to be jittery over the ongoing tour by Board of Trustees Chairman Tony Anenih.

    President Goodluck Jonathan is said to be strongly in favour of Anenih’s mission rather than Tukur’s.

    Anenih will today in Minna meet with the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, who has been passionate about the need for the President to respect the one-term pact he allegedly entered into with PDP governors.

    Tukur and his strategists are believed to be comfortable with the intervention of Anenih in rebuilding PDP.

    It was gathered that some Tukur strategists had made him to erroneously believe that Anenih might take over the control of the party, if he succeeded with the rescue mission.

    A source, who spoke in confidence said: “There is a sort of cold war between Tukur and Anenih over the peace and reconciliatory moves. The reunification was actually the idea of Anenih, but having been fed wrongly that the BOT chairman might hijack the party machinery, Tukur came up with a crash programme on reconciliation tours.

    “But Anenih avoided unnecessary controversy by coming up with a well-tailored work plan on how to woo strategic stakeholders back into the party.

    “It is now clear to all leaders of the party that Tukur’s peace moves have failed. Instead, the party is now more divided than before.

    “As Anenih is moving about with BOT leaders, Tukur and some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) are jittery.

    “The position of Anenih is that the party is bigger than all members. His plan is to reconcile and reposition the party for Tukur to manage. He is not competing with anybody.”

    Asked why Anenih embarked on reconciliation tours simultaneously with Tukur, the highly-placed party source said: “Most of our governors and leaders have rated Tukur’s tours as mere jamboree and the high rate of boycott was evident.

    “There is a big difference between Tukur’s peace plan and that of Anenih. Beyond mouthing reconciliation, Tukur did not offer anything to the aggrieved. He never placed anything on the table, not even in his home state of Adamawa.

    “On his part, Anenih and his BoT members listen to the aggrieved party faithful and agree with them on solutions which could reunify the party. He has been holding frank talks with concrete offers to assuage frayed nerves.

    “In most instances, Anenih adapts solutions to the peculiar challenges being faced by PDP members in each state.”

    “Another defect in Tukur’s efforts is not carrying key party leaders and all NWC members along. “Anenih is not isolating any leader or group in the party,” the source added.

    The Nation learnt that President Goodluck Jonathan is in support of the peace meetings being held by Anenih than those conducted by Tukur.

    A Presidency source said: “We have seen evidence of success in Anenih’s efforts than that of the party leadership. For the first time, governors like Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) and Babangida Aliyu (Niger) are receptive to genuine reconciliation.

    “As a matter of fact, Anenih has been carrying the President along on his reconciliation trips and terms agreed to with the stakeholders. He enjoys the tactical backing of the President.”

    Anenih and other BoT members have gone to Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Kogi, Kaduna, Kano and Jigawa states. “And for every tour and issues arrived at, Jonathan gives Anenih the go-ahead to salvage the situation,” the source added.

    Anenih is set for a major challenge in the reconciliation, with today’s likely meeting with Aliyu in Minna.

    Aliyu, who is leading a powerful caucus in the party, spark the controversy the alleged one-term secret pact between President Jonathan and PDP governors.

    Also, Aliyu has been passionate about power shift to the North in 2015.

    Although the Presidency is believed to be uncomfortable with Aliyu’s revelation, it has not officially confirmed whether there was any pact or not.

    Instead, there have been attempts to threaten Aliyu and persuade him to recant.

    A source in Niger State, who confided in our correspondent, said: “The BoT delegation has been scheduled for a meeting with the governor on Wednesday (today).

    “Definitely, all issues, including the controversy over one-term pact, will be reviewed. At the end of the day, these leaders will find a way of dousing the tension.

    “We are all eager to know what Anenih and other leaders are coming to discuss with Aliyu, who is technically being blackmailed since he spoke on the one-term pact.”