The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Jonathan

  • Jonathan withdraws Oyo INEC commissioner-nominee

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday withdrew the nomination of Prof Akinola Muritala Salau as a National Electoral Commissioner.

    The withdrawal letter on the nomination, dated 21 March, 2013, was read yesterday on the floor of the Senate by Senate President David Mark.

    The President said Salau’s replacement, who would have represented Oyo State in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), would be sent to the Senate.

    Entitled, Re: Confirmation of appointment of a National Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the letter reads: “I write with respect to my letter of March 14, 2013, on the above stated subject and wish to notify the Distinguished Senate that emergent circumstances have necessitated the withdrawal of the nomination of Prof Akinola Muritala Salau of Oyo State as a National Electoral Commissioner.

    “A replacement nominee will be forwarded to the Senate shortly.”

  • Jonathan withdraws nomination of Oyo INEC Commissioner

    Jonathan withdraws nomination of Oyo INEC Commissioner

    President Goodluck Jonathan has withdrawn the nomination of Prof. Akinola Salau of Oyo State as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Jonathan conveyed the withdrawal in a letter dated March 21, and addressed to the Senate President, David Mark.

    The letter, which was read at the floor of the Senate by Mark, quoted the president as saying that “emergent circumstances have necessitated the withdrawal of Salau as National Electoral Commissioner.

    “A replacement nominee will be forwarded to the Senate shortly. It is my hope that this will receive your usual kind consideration,’’ the president wrote.

    Meanwhile, the Senate is likely to debate the 2013 Appropriation Act Amendment Proposal, forwarded to the National Assembly last week by Jonathan from April 15.

    Senate Spokesman, Sen. Enyinnanya Abaribe dropped the hint while briefing reporters.

    He said that the Senate Standing Committees had so “much work piled up’’ after the Easter holidays and the Senate would resume plenary session from April 15.

    Abaribe also told reporters that the Senate was not against the decision of the executive arm of government to place the supervision of constituency project under the Minister of Special Duties.

    About N100 billion was appropriated for constituency project in the 2013 budget.

    Abaribe said, “we think that what is being done in the Presidency is probably to make the constituency project more efficient.”

     

     

     

  • Alamieyeseigha: Jonathan acted alone, says ex-ICPC chief

    THE pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi (rtd), has said President Goodluck Jonathan acted alone in granting state pardon to former Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and ex-Managing Director of the defunct Bank of the North Shetima Bulama.

    He faulted the claim that the National Council of State (NCS) ratified the pardon. He said the grace was the sole decision of the President.

    Justice Akanbi, a retired President of the Appeal Court, yesterday said with time, corrupt persons would suffer perdition.

    The retired jurist spoke to reporters at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, at this year’s edition of the Mohammed Mustapha Akanbi Public Lecture.

    It was organised by the university’s Faculty of Law.

    He said: “They said members of the National Council of State supported it. When I checked, many of the retired judges were not there. Even some of the former heads of state were not there. Whatever is the case, it is a decision taken by the President in his wisdom.

    “When I was a young lawyer, as a state counsel, I dealt with the issue of prerogative of mercy. Then, we would work out the facts for and against and if on balance we would take public opinion into consideration. But if there are no facts justifying the case of pardon, you don’t grant pardon.

    “I don’t know the yardstick he used for granting pardon? It is not a question of acting on whims and caprices. You look at each case on its own merit and take a decision. But in this case, the decision had already been taken.

    “Quite a number of people have condemned Alamieyeseigha’s’ pardon. We should be more determined to fight corruption. This is a passing phase. Time heals all wounds. In the fullness of time, those who are corrupt will suffer perdition; this is my belief.”

    Justice Akanbi said it was regrettable that “corruption has permeated every facet of our lives. We hear the various scams. You cannot fight corruption, unless there is a political will by those in authority.

    “If they have a political will to fight corruption, then we would have gone half way in trying to solve the problem of governance. But if corruption is entrenched and we take steps that give the impression that we have no regard for the eradication of corruption, then we are in trouble.”

    In the lecture, entitled: ‘Challenges of administration of justice in the sustenance of good governance in trans-national era: Hindsights, insights and prognoses’, the guest lecturer, Justice Chima C. Nweze, bemoaned the challenge of continued application of anachronistic laws in Nigeria’s judiciary.

    Nweze, a justice of the Appeal Court, Lagos Division, added: “It is, indeed, amazing that many years after flag independence, common law concepts, which only found historical and jurisprudential justification on the peculiarities of English constitutional history, can be pleaded to impede the enforcement of the rights of individuals against the Federal Government and its sundry agencies in Nigeria.”

    Nweze was represented by an Ilorin-based lawyer, Abeny Mohammed, SAN.

    He said: “What makes the matter more irksome is that some of those concepts have been abolished in their land of nativity. Is it, then, not curious that here in Nigeria, we are pretending to be more catholic than the Pope?”

     

  • Jonathan acted alone on Alamieyesiegha – ex-ICPC boss

    Jonathan acted alone on Alamieyesiegha – ex-ICPC boss

    The retried President of the Appeal Court, Justice Mustapha Akanbi, on Monday said the pardon granted former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and ex- managing director of the defunct Bank of the North, Shetima Bulama was a sole decision of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Justice Akanbi, who is the founding chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, added that in the fullness of time corrupt persons would suffer perdition in Nigeria.

    The retired jurist told reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital shortly before the commencement of this year’s Mohammed Mustapha Akanbi public lecture organised by the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin.

    He said, “They say all the members of the National Council of State supported it. When I looked, many of the retired judges were not there. Even some of the former heads of state were not there. So whatever is the case is a decision taken by the president in his wisdom.

    “When I was a young lawyer, as a state counsel, I dealt with the issue of prerogative of mercy. Then we would work out the facts for and against and if on balance we take public opinion into consideration. But if there are no facts justifying the case of pardon you don’t grant pardon.

    “I don’t know the yardstick he used for granting pardon? It is not a question of acting on whims and caprices. You look at each case on its own merit and take a decision. But in this case the decision had already been taken.”

     

  • Jonathan tasks new Head of Service on corruption

    Jonathan tasks new Head of Service on corruption

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday in Abuja tasked the new Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Alhaji Goni Aji, to intensify efforts at enhancing discipline and curtailing corruption in the service.

    The President made the remark shortly after Aji took his oath of office at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa.

    Jonathan said that Aji must work hard to return the service back to its past glory as centre of excellence, efficiency and hard work.

    The President also called on all civil servants particularly the permanent secretaries to cooperate with the new HOCSF in the restoration of the civil service.

    “As you set about your duties, I expect that you will intensify your efforts to enhance discipline and curtail corruption in the service.

    “The civil service was historically acknowledged as a citadel of excellence where the best brains, equipment and strategies are engaged.

    “Under your leadership, we must all work hard to bring back that type of civil service in the interest of our nation.

    “It is in this regard I want to call on all civil servants to lend you their unalloyed support, especially the permanent secretaries that will work with you and cooperate in the movement to greater efficiency, dedication and patriotism in service,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted President Jonathan as saying at the forum.

    The President noted that the civil service was very central to the realisation of his administration’s transformation agenda.

    To that extent, he said the new HOCSF should pay special attention to the on-going reforms aimed at the ensuring rapid economic development of the country.

  • Institute’s strike: TUC appeals to Jonathan

    Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Kwara State, Mr Israel Adebisi, has  appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to wade into the ongoing industrial action embarked upon by Research Institutes’ workers..

    Adebisi told The Nation that the action involved research institutes, including those in the health, agriculture and education sectors.

    “The development would have adverse effect on Nigeria’s quest to research breakthroughs. At present, we have all these research institutes scattered in many ministries and as such our demands include merger of all the institutes under a commission, the National Research Institutes Commission (NARICOM).

    “We are also calling for adequate funding of the institutes and to give us the same privileges like universities and skipping of one grade level as is done in government employment,’’ he said.

    He said  various member unions of the institutes had negotiated with their ministries since last year on their demands.

    Adebisi said the research institutes started the strike on February 4, after the Federal Government failed to look into their demands, adding that Nigeria has more than 30 research institutes.

  • 2015: PDP member adamant, asks Appeal Court to stop Jonathan

    2015: PDP member adamant, asks Appeal Court to stop Jonathan

    THE intra-party battle for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of 2015 heightened at the weekend after a member of the party, Mr. Cyriacus Njoku, approached the Court of Appeal to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from seeking re-election.

    He holds the view that the 1999 Constitution does not sanction the administration of oath of office on anyone as president thrice.

    The appellant insists that having completed the tenure of the late President Umaru Yar’ Adua, Jonathan has served two terms constitutionally allowed in Nigeria.

    Njoku, in the appeal filed by his counsel, Mr. Osuagwu Ugochukwu, says it was wrong of Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to have ruled that Jonathan can contest in 2015.

    He is seeking two reliefs including an “order setting aside the judgment of the High Court of March 1, 2013,’ and an “order granting the reliefs sought by the Appellant in his Originating Summons filed on the 30th March, 2012.”

    He pleaded with the appellate court to declare that Jonathan is running his second term in office.

    The respondents are the President (1first), PDP (second) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), (third).

    The notice of appeal, filed on March 22 reads in part: “TAKE NOTICE that the Appellant, being dissatisfied with the Judgment of the High Court of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, of Nigeria, Maitama Division, presided over by the Honourable Justice M.N. Oniyangi dated Friday, the 1st day of March, 2013, do hereby appeal upon the grounds set out in paragraph 3 and will at the hearing of the appeal seek the reliefs set out in paragraph 4.

    “The learned trial Judge erred in law when he held that the Appellant’s case did not disclose a reasonable cause of action.

    “The learned trial judge erred in law when he held that the gist of the case is whether as a result of the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua and the swearing of the 1st Respondent, who was till the death of Yar’Adua the Vice-President, as President for the unexpired period of four- year tenure of the late President Yar’Adua would mean a four- year tenure as President by the 1st Respondent.

    “ The gist of the case of the Appellant was whether or not the 1st Respondent(Jonathan) can contest the 2015 general election as presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party after he had taken the Oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance as President of the Federal Republic off Nigeria on the 6th May, 2010 and 29th May, 2011 respectively in view of the provisions of Sections 180 subsections 1 & 2 (a) and 182 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

    “In the case of MARWA VS. NYAKO (2012) 6 NWLR (PART 1296) 199 @ 308-309, (a case relied on the trial Judge but which he wrongly applied) the Supreme Court held that it is settled law that the time fixed by the Constitution for the doing of anything cannot be extended.

    “The case of MARWA vs. NYAKO (supra) was decided on the construction of the provisions of Section 135 & 137 of the Constitution which is exactly the same as Sections 180 (1) & 2 (2) (a) & 182 (1) of the Constitution which the case under reference was hinged.

    “It follows therefore that the 1st Respondent is not eligible to contest again in respect of the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015 after having taken the Oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance twice.

    “The learned trial Judge erred in law when he held that the provisions of Section 137 (1) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (supra) which provides that a person shall not be qualified for election to be elected to such Office at any two previous election does not apply to the case of the 1st Respondent.

    The appellant insisted that President Jonathan cannot be sworn in thrice as the nation’s leader.

    No date has been fixed for the hearing of the appeal.

     

  • Achebe will be missed – Jonathan

    Achebe will be missed – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed sadness at the death of the renowned writer, Prof. Chinua Achebe, who passed away on Thursday night in United States.

    The president in a statement signed by his media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the country will miss the deceased frank, truthful and fearless interventions in national affairs.

    The statement reads:

    “President Goodluck Jonathan has received with immense sadness, news of the passing away of Nigeria’s globally acclaimed writer, scholar, tutor, cultural icon, nationalist and artist of the very first rank, Prof. Chinua Achebe.

    “President Jonathan joined Prof. Achebe’s family, his friends, colleagues, past and present students, admirers and all who have learnt indelible lessons of human existence from his award winning works of literature in mourning the legendary author.

    “As he mourns however, the president is consoled by the knowledge that Prof. Achebe will live forever in the hearts and minds of present and future generations through his great works which brought him enduring international fame and countless honours.

    “The president believes that Prof. Achebe’s frank, truthful and fearless interventions in national affairs will be greatly missed at home in Nigeria because while others may have disagreed with his views, most Nigerians never doubted his immense patriotism and sincere commitment to the building of a greater, more united and prosperous nation that all Africans and the entire black race could be proud of.

    “He recalled that with maturity and global stature, Prof. Achebe fearlessly spoke the truth as he saw it and became, as he advanced in age, a much revered national icon and conscience of the nation who will be eternally honoured for his contributions to national discourse as well as the immense fame and glory he brought to his fatherland.

    “On behalf of himself, his family, the Federal Government and all Nigerians, President Jonathan extends heartfelt condolences to Prof. Achebe’s family.”

     

  • Jonathan congratulates Archbishop of Canterbury

    Jonathan congratulates Archbishop of Canterbury

    resident Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Portal Welby on his enthronement as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury in the United Kingdom and leader of the Anglican Communion worldwide, on Thursday.

    The President, represented by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, described the new Archbishop as “a man of God experienced in not only pastoral work and ecumenism, but also wider leadership qualities, especially in the areas of peace building, inter-religious cooperation, and capable of influencing the Commonwealth, world governments and international organisations to act in favour of the developing world and improving the living conditions of the poor worldwide.”

    Ekweremadu led a high powered Federal Government delegation to the enthronement ceremony.

    President Jonathan added: “Importantly, with his many visits to Nigeria and great knowledge in Nigerian affairs, it is our belief that he would bring his experience and friendship to bear on our peace-building and developmental efforts.”

    The president further noted that it could only be by divine arrangement that Archbishop Welby and the Pope Francis I, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, emerged leaders of the global Anglican and Catholic communities, respectively.

    He expressed hope that they would work with other religious and world leaders to confront the many challenges facing the world.

    Ekweremadu’s Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu, in a statement in Abuja said while taking his oath, the newly enthroned Archbishop of Canterbury pledged to be faithful to the Church and the Queen, emphasising that he was sent to serve the people and to proclaim the love of Christ with all his heart and mind.

    In his sermon, Archbishop Welby told the congregation that “the challenges of environment and economy, of human development and global poverty, can only be faced with Christ-liberated courage.”

    He, however, noted that “courage is released in a society that is under the authority of God, so that we may become fully the human community of which we all dream.

    “There can be no final justice, or security, or love, or hope in our society if it is not finally based on rootedness in Christ”, Archbishop Welby declared.

  • Reps urge Jonathan to sack Oteh

    Reps urge Jonathan to sack Oteh

    The House of Representatives on Thursday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to implement its resolution by sacking the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the house, after investigating the near collapse of the capital market, resolved not to have anything to do with the commission.

    The house promised that it would not rescind its decision on the issue unless Oteh was sacked for not having the minimum professional qualification prescribed for the office of the Director-General of SEC.

    The resolution followed a motion moved by Rep. Ahmed Datti (CPC-Kaduna) which was unanimously adopted.

    Leading the debate, Datti said the motion urging the removal of Oteh was because her appointment was a gross violation of the commission’s Act.

    He said that Oteh did not possess the minimum professional qualification prescribed for appointment to be the head of SEC.

    Datti said most of the resolutions of the house, though products of motions, hinged on fundamental public duty placed on public officers by the constitution under the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy.

    The legislator stressed that the executive had adopted the approach of picking and choosing the implementation of resolutions of the Senate on the dismissal of Abdulrasheed Maina.

    He noted that the resolution on Oteh, which was passed much later, was still being disregarded, in spite of a long pending motion on her removal.

    “Resolutions bordering on the breach of extant legislation should not be treated with levity, as such tends to portray government in bad light,” he said.