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Tag: Jonathan

  • Jonathan and Alams

    Jonathan and Alams

    Since that ill-advised state pardon granted Diepreye Alamieyeseigha by President Goodluck Jonathan, many true patriots have queried the puerile reasons advanced by the president’s mouthpiece, Dr. Doyin Okupe. At first, Okupe told a bewildered nation that the president chose to act against the Nigerian people because Alams had pleaded guilty to committing a crime against the country. To the medical doctor fromOgun State, that was one reason that would silence all critics. He added that the president was not obliged to explain or justify his action.

    Then, a few days after, Okupe gave another reason: President Jonathan decided to take the action to reward Alamieyeseigha for the role he played in getting Niger Delta militants to surrender their arms and embrace the amnesty carrot extended to them by the federal government. It sounded more like an afterthought. Besides, Okupe, kept ranting that, with the approval by the Council of State, the chapter was closed. He held to the point that the Council is composed of credible eminent Nigerians.

    Dr. Okupe must have thought that his listeners were all daft. He insisted that the Council of State is the highest decision making body in the country, and as such, is infallible. This is not true. The constitution presents the Council as a mere advisory body. It gets to discuss only matters referred to it by the president and rarely turns any down. As a body of elder statesmen, it tends to defer to authority and preserve the aura around the president and the presidency.

    In the extant case, the president goofed. On the one hand, he had told the entire world on assuming office that he would root out corruption. On his first visit to the United States, he told Nigerians in the diaspora and the international community that he would build on the foundation laid by General Olusegun Obasanjo. But, on the other, he is now rewarding the corrupt. The argument over the propriety of granting clemency to those involved in plotting against a military regime could rage on, but there is only one position right-thinking Nigerians could take on Alamieyeseigha and Shettima Bulama. The pardon is unpardonable.

    The logic stinks. If Alams was set free because he pleaded guilty to charges preferred against him, are we to think that the Council of State would soon be used to rubberstamp clemency for Lucky Igbinedion, Tafa Balogun and Cecilia Ibru? Is it an invitation to others standing trial for snatching bottles from Nigerian children and turning hospitals to mere consulting clinics to cut short trials and buy pardon?

    D.S.P waged war against Nigerians living in Bayelsa State by stealing money voted to create jobs, upgrade infrastructure and enhance capacity. It was a crime against the state, humanity and God. Rather than use the power granted him by the people to promote their welfare, he chose to oppress them.

    The danger in the action taken by Jonathan is not only in setting free the guilty while the innocent languish in jail for years because the state could not get them prosecuted. It is a signal that anything goes in Nigeria. All you need to get away with even murder is to be well connected. Check out this list: Joshua Dariye, George Akume, Abdullahi Adamu and Danjuma Goje. They are all former governors who have been arraigned before courts of law for corrupt practices. For six years, the cases have been stalled and the society the poorer for it. Today, they are all in the Senate making laws for Nigeria and sitting in judgment over others.

    Other former governors, including Saminu Turaki, Chimaroke Nnamani and Adamu Aliero have served out a term each in the Senate and moved on. Bafarawa, a former governor, formed a political party and sought to be president of Nigeria while a case of tampering with public fund was still pending against him. Orji Uzor Kalu, Jolly Nyame, Boni Haruna and Ayo Fayose, too, were only stopped by popular votes in their bids to assume seats in the Senate.

    Only recently, while delivering a lecture at the inauguration of the Olusegun Mimiko administration in Ondo State, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi indicated that corruption is Nigeria’s biggest problem and that all those who parade themselves as billionaires had at one time or the other helped themselves to public wealth. Yet, they are celebrated and some granted the highest honours of the land.

    I found it comical when recently we were told that twelve serving governors were being investigated for fraud. It is even more ludicrous that some people are splitting hair that section 308 of the constitution granting immunity to certain public officers be expunged. If, in six years, no former governor has been successfully tried for corruption, what would removal of immunity clause achieve?

    President Jonathan has shot an arrow at the heart of the Nigerian state by patting the corrupt at the back. As 2015 draws nearer, Nigerians should tell him and his clique of advisers and assistants that they are tired of such antics.

  • Pardon: Atilade blasts Jonathan

    Pardon: Atilade blasts Jonathan

    •Says he insulted Nigerians

    The presidential pardon granted high-profile ex-convicts, especially former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, is a big dent on the anti-corruption war and a massive insult to Nigerians according tothe Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) South West region, Archbishop Magnus Atilade.

    Atilade said the pardon is totally condemnable and reduces the standing of Nigeria among the comity of nations.

    Alamieyeseigha, he said, is unworthy of pardon having been convicted for criminal and corruption charges.

    According to him: “This is taking presidential power to a ridiculous level. What the president has done has turned us to a laughing stock in the international community.

    “How can you pardon someone convicted of criminal and corruption charges? Are you saying he was right to have stolen?

    “Honestly, this has lowered the president’s integrity and standing among men of goodwill in the world.”

    He said the other pardoned ex-convicts were worthy, especially those accused of participation in phantom coups that “we all knew were untrue.”

    Atilade welcomed the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying it will deepen democracy in Nigeria.

    He said it was a good omen that most of the parties, which he described as fly-by-night organisations, have decided to collaborate for greater impact.

    “With two parties, Nigerians can easily choose because we all knew most of our parties existed only in briefcases. We should support APC because we can know who which is which now.”

  • Jonathan greets Pope Francis

    Jonathan greets Pope Francis

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday joined other world leaders to congratulate Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina for emerging as the 266th pontiff on Wednesday night.

    Jonathan, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, noted that the new Pope is a divinely inspired choice by the College of Cardinals and an unequivocal testimony of God’s abiding presence in His Church and the world.

    The statement reads: “On behalf of himself, the Federal Government and all Nigerians, President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina on his historic election on Wednesday as the first Pope from the Americas and 265th successor to the Chair of St Peter.

    “With Cardinal Bergoglio’s glowing antecedents as a great scholar, teacher, Catholic philosopher and very humane leader of the Church, President Jonathan welcomed his election as successor to Pope Benedict XVI as a divinely inspired choice by the College of Cardinals and an unequivocal testimony of God’s abiding presence in His Church and the world.

    “The President joined Catholics in Nigeria and other countries of the world in praying for God’s blessings and Divine guidance for Cardinal Bergoglio, now Pope Francis as he assumes the papacy, trusting that he will put his acclaimed qualities and devoutness to the best possible use in resolutely guiding the Church through the many challenges it currently faces.

    “President Jonathan and the Federal Government look forward to further enhancing the already cordial and excellent relationship between Nigeria and the Vatican under the leadership of Pope Francis, the beloved champion of the underprivileged and renowned crusader for global equity and social justice.

    The President also looks forward to collaborating with Pope Francis and the Holy See in working towards the realization of a much more secure, peaceful and just world order.

    “As he prepares for his formal installation and ascension to the Papacy on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, the President prayed that God Almighty will grant Pope Francis continued good health and strength, and the even greater knowledge, wisdom, understanding and divine insights he requires to successfully maintain the positive traditions of the Catholic Church and discharge the sacred Petrine Mission entrusted to him. He wished Pope Francis a blessed and successful tenure.”

     

  • Jonathan picks Akinkuotu as NCAA boss

    Jonathan picks Akinkuotu as NCAA boss

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday nominated Capt. Fola Akinkuotu as the new Director- General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

    This was contained in a letter from the President read by Senate President David Mark at a plenary in Abuja.

    The President in the letter entitled: “Request for the confirmation of appointment of a new Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),” said the former of DG of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren was sacked due to perceived poor internal audit and quality assurance in the agency.

    The letter reads in part: “Following concerns expressed by aviation stakeholders on perceived poor internal audit and quality assurance within the Nigerian civil aviation authority (NCAA), the Federal Government is in the process of restructuring the authority for better and more efficient service delivery.

    “Consequently, Dr. Harold Olusegun Demuren has been relieved of his appointment, as the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, in line with the provisions of Sections 8(3) (a) and (c) of the Civil Aviation Act of 2006.

    “I hereby present the nomination of Capt. Fola C. Akinkuotu, from the same geopolitical zone as Dr. Demuren, as the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority for the confirmation of the Senate.”

    Meanwhile, the Senate on Thursday confirmed the reappointment of Suleiman Barau as the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    The lawmakers spoke glowingly of Barau when the Chairman Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Senator Bassey Otu, presented the report of his screening.

    Barau was nominated for reappointment following the expiration of his first term as CBN’s Deputy Governor by the President.

    Also, Jonathan has forwarded a Bill to the National Assembly for an Act to establish the Nigeria Police Academy.

     

  • North Governors can’t stop Jonathan, says Clark

    North Governors can’t stop Jonathan, says Clark

    Prominent leader of the South-South, Chief Edwin Clark yesterday inferred that President Goodluck Jonathan remains the sole candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and cannot be stopped by the Northern Governors Forum.

    Recalling the practice in the United States, he said “an incumbent remains the sole candidate of a political party if he or she is willing to contest for a second term”.

    Clark spoke at his residence in Abuja where he addressed journalists on the open letter to Niger Governor and chairman of Northern Governors Forum, Babangida Aliyu.

    The elder statesman lambasted Aliyu for insisting that Jonathan entered an agreement with the North Governors to serve for only one term.

    He also said he was embarrassed by Aliyu’s interview published in some national dailies that it is only him (Clark) an those who will benefit that are campaigning for Jonathan to contest in 2015.

    The octogenarian said the remarks against him “is most unfortunate and ridiculous”.

    Recalling the pedigree of the governor as an accomplished civil servant before retiring into politics, he cautioned the governor against making “inflammatory and provocative statements” that can divide the country.

    Expressing belief in one Nigeria, Clark said no group will allow itself to be subjected to a cause by another.

    “What do they expect me to explain to my own child; that you have no right to aspire to the highest post even if you have the qualification”.

    Responding to a question, the Second Republic Minister of Information said Jonathan would make his position on the 2015 election known next year.

    He recalled that the president had embargoed campaign for 2015 adding, “it will be stupid of me to ask him if he would contest now”.

    To Aliyu on his remarks, Clark said “It is, however, unfortunate and disappointing that you could engage in such bare-faced lies and false propaganda simply because of your inordinate ambition to seek election as President of Nigeria come 2015, and the only qualification you think you have over the incumbent is that you are a Northerner who must rule at all time”.

    “As a rebuttal to your statement, I wish to repeat that there was no agreement between the Governors of the 19 Northern States and President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. You are a very well educated person, but it appears you do not understand the correct meaning of agreement”.

    He went on: “Having emphasized that there was no such agreement, but in defense of the concept of agreement and for the sake of argument, if there was such an agreement, did you keep to your own side of the said agreement? Was that why you directed your State delegates at the PDP Presidential Primaries to vote for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the Primaries and when he lost the ticket, you and your State went ahead to vote for a rival Political Party, the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, in the Presidential election as shown in the results outlined below?

    “Paradoxically, in the Gubernatorial Election that followed, you defeated the CPC Governorship candidate. This clearly shows your insincerity and dishonesty to the purported agreement which to my mind existed only in the figment of your own imagination and by extension a product of your obsession with the Northern agenda in Nigeria. In fact, President Jonathan won convincingly in the North Central States except your own Niger State”.

    “Just because you are interested in contesting the 2015 Presidential Election, you have been trying to impress the audience by blindly criticizing the Federal Government and attempting to give the false impression that you will do better if given the opportunity.

    I wonder what makes the issue of President Jonathan contesting the 2015 Presidency a mere speculation, according to you. The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides for Two Tenure of 4 years each after two democratically conducted Elections.

    “There is no speculation that the PDP is planning to impose President Jonathan as the sole candidate of the Party in the upcoming Convention. The practice in democratic Presidential system of Government is that an incumbent President remains the sole candidate of a Political Party at the Party’s Convention, if he or she is willing to contest for a second term in office. This is the practice in the United States of America from where Nigeria copied her own model of Presidential System of Government.”

    “For the umpteenth time, it must be emphasized that Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians as enshrined in the nation’s Constitution. All Nigerian citizens are equal and can all aspire to the highest office in this country and should remain in office in accordance with the Constitution of Nigeria.

    We can no longer tolerate a situation where some people believe that they are superior to others and others are inferior citizens who must not enjoy the same privileges they enjoy”.

    “It is, therefore, unacceptable for any group of people to gang up to intimidate and frustrate him out of office by engaging in series of despicable crisis where people are killed, houses and properties destroyed. Youth Corp members maimed and killed as demonstrated in the post-election violence in Bauchi State after the 2011 Presidential Election in which my nephew Mr. Elliot Adowe whom I educated at the University of Calabar was brutally murdered along with 9 other Corp members. Today we are being harassed by politically motivated Boko Haram. Yet, I still believe in a united Nigeria based on equality of her citizens where the words of our National Anthem are obeyed and practiced.”

     

  • ‘Jonathan should tackle marginalisation’

    ‘Jonathan should tackle marginalisation’

    President Goodluck Jonathan has been urged to redress the imbalance in the oil block allocations to erase the feeling of ethnic marginalisation and domination.

    A political scientist, Prof. Opeyemi Ola, said that the skewed allocation should be investigated further by the National Assembly, adding that other stakeholders, including the labour, bar association and civil society groups, should speak out against the discrimination and injustice.

    Ola, a Second Republic member of the House of Representatives, said the “outrageous, provocative and devastating” revelations by the National Assembly have vindicated the agitations by militants that the oil-producing states have been short-changed by the Federal Government for too long.

    He hailed the legislature for enlisting on the side of equity and fairness, urging the progressive wing of the National Assembly to ensure that the matter is not swept under the carpet.

    Ola enjoined the federal government to seize the oil blocks from those who have possessed them through foul means, adding that they should be re-allocated in accordance with due process.

    “This is the revelations of all revelations. It has revealed the inequality between the North and the South. Politics is the science of allocation of values and sharing of the commonwealth. Equity should prevail. Why should the ownership of the allocation of the oil situated in the South be entirely in the North where there is no oil well? Those who did it do not mean well for Nigeria. This cannot augur well for national integration”.

    The former university don urged the National Assembly to resist pressures from powerful quarters in the course of investigating the skewed allocation. He queried: “Who did the allocation? The President or NNPC? Who owns these oil blocks? How much wealth have they made from this imbalanced allocation? Have they used them to develop the economy, the manufacturing sector? How many youths have they employed?”

     

  • Dangote, Adenuga, Ibeto for dinner with Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan will tomorrow in Abuja host a special dinner for chief executive officers (CEOs) of major companies in the country.

    Also expected to attend the strictly-by-invitation dinner are governors, members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

    The event tagged: “A Centenary Dinner with Top Nigerian CEOs” is part of the year-long ceremonies marking Nigeria’s Centenary, the grand finale of which is slated for January 1, next year. The Centenary and all its activities is completely private sector-driven.

    Among the notable Nigerian CEOs expected to attend the dinner are Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Dr. Mike Adenuga, Chief Cletus Ibeto, Mr. Hakeem Bello-Osagie, Mrs. Stella Okoli, Mrs. Sola David-Borha and Ms. Evelyn Oputu.

    The celebrations are designed around the key concepts of unity, indivisibility, virility, progress and promise of the Nigerian Federation. It is intended to present an opportunity for Nigerians to count their blessings, celebrate their dexterity and resilience as a people. It is hinged on the fact that the story of Nigeria is one of admirable and remarkable progress. Nigeria’s 100th birthday therefore provide a wonderful opportunity for all Nigerians to proudly celebrate and share in the nation’s story of freedom, achievements and aspirations.

     

  • 2015: Northern governors can’t stop Jonathan – Clark

    2015: Northern governors can’t stop Jonathan – Clark

     

    Prominent leader of the South-South, Chief Edwin Clark, on Tuesday inferred that President Goodluck Jonathan remains the sole candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and cannot be stopped by the Northern Governors Forum.

    Recalling the practice in the United States of America, he said “an incumbent remains the sole candidate of a political party if he or she is willing to contest for a second term.”

    Clark spoke at his residence in Abuja where he addressed Journalists on the open letter to Niger State Governor and Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Babangida Aliyu.

    The elder statesman lambasted Aliyu for insisting that Jonathan entered an agreement with the north governors to serve for only one term.

    He also said he was embarrassed by Aliyu’s interview published in some national dailies that it is only him (Clark) and those who will benefit that are campaigning for Jonathan to contest in 2015.

    The octogenarian said the remarks against him “are most unfortunate and ridiculous.”

    Recalling the pedigree of the governor as an accomplished civil servant before retiring into politics, he cautioned the governor against making “inflammatory and provocative statements” that can divide the country.

    Expressing belief in one Nigeria, Clark said no group will allow itself to be subjected to a cause by another.

    “What do they expect me to explain to my own child; that you have no right to aspire to the highest post even if you have the qualification.”

    Responding to a question, the Second Republic Minister of Information said Jonathan would make his position on the 2015 election known next year.

    He recalled that the president had embargoed campaign for 2015 adding, “it will be stupid of me to ask him if he would contest now.”

  • ACN to Jonathan: Borno,Yobe visit a failure

    ACN to Jonathan: Borno,Yobe visit a failure

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday picked holes in President Goodluck Jonathan’s response to the amnesty request for members of the Boko Haram sect during his last week’s visit to Borno and Yobe states.

    The opposition party said the tactless handling of the crisis has aggravated the insurgency that has claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent Nigerians and foreign nationals.

    In a statement in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party also said while the decision to grant amnesty to any person or group is the prerogative of the government, the argument advanced by the President for denying amnesty to Boko Haram members is as illogical as it is puerile.

    It said for a President who has unwisely stayed away from the beleaguered part of the country for too long, last week’s visit only succeeded in inflicting additional pain and insults on the victims of the insurgency, who could have used a little dose of succour and empathy from their leader.

    The party said: ‘’There is no doubt that there has been an upsurge in attacks and killings since the President’s visit, with the clashes between the JTF and the insurgents leaving many dead, drive-by shooting in Kano claiming the lives of innocent people and the unfortunate killing of foreign hostages who were abducted last month in Bauchi.

    ‘’If this upsurge can be used as a barometer to measure the success or otherwise of the President’s visit, then one can only reach one conclusion: The visit is a total failure!’’ ACN said.

    The party also expressed shock at the way the President, openly displaying anger when what was needed was temperance, talked down on the people, who have suffered so much in the hands of Boko Haram, at his town hall meetings.

    It said the misplaced anger of the nation’s number one citizen, who virtually tongue-lashed the prominent citizens who spoke on behalf of their people at the town hall meeting, can only attract sympathy for the insurgents among the beleaguered population, thereby worsening the crisis.

    It went on: ‘’The President wanted to appear tough in dealing with the Boko Haram insurgents. There is no problem with that, except that he directed his anger at the wrong people, the same people who have been victimized by Boko Haram. This is called double whammy,’’ On the President’s argument that amnesty cannot be granted to ‘’ghosts’’, CAN said he simply missed the mark.

    ‘’If the President claims that Boko Haram members are ghosts, who then are the members of Boko Haram that the JTF regularly claims to have arrested or killed? Does it mean the 52 Boko Haram members that the JTF claimed to have killed, in its latest statement dated March 9, are actually ghosts?

    ‘’What about the Boko Haram members that are being tried in court? Could the government have been trying ghosts?

    And what about those Boko Haram members who were declared wanted last year? Are they also ghosts? Also, the government’s spokesmen have said publicly that the government is talking with Boko Haram through back-channels.

    So, the Jonathan Administration has indeed been talking to ghosts?

    ‘’Mr. President, there is nowhere in the world where insurgents have erected a headquarters building and put up a sign to say ‘we are insurgents, come and get us.’ By their nature, insurgents don’t engage in a march past, displaying their weapons. That is why intermediaries are used to reach out to them,’’ the party said.

    ACN said while it strongly condemns the Boko Haram insurgents, their senseless killing of innocent people and attacks on the security agents, it believes that the use of force is not the only option open to the government to end the crisis.

  • Jonathan, CJN, Fashola, Dangote for book launch

    A book, The Attorney-General: Chronicles and Perspectives, which looks at the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) will be launched on March 23, in Lagos.

    The book is dedicated to Nigeria’s longest serving AGF and Minister of Justice, and retired judge of the World Court, Prince Bola Ajibola(SAN).

    The foreword was written by a retired Chief Justice of Nigeria(CJN), Justice S.M.A. Belgore.

    The book features varying perspectives of the office of the AGF, its demands, impacts and challenges.

    The Managing Director, Law Pavillion Mr Ope Olugasa, said the book, which impacts on the direction and quality of justice  also chronicles the lives and contributions of Nigeria’s past AGs.

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria(CJN) Hon. Justice Aloma Mukhtar is expected to chair the launch.

    The chief launcher is Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the co-launchers include Dr. Oba Otudeko and Chief(Dr.) Molade Okoya Thomas while Mr Awa Kalu (SAN) will review the book.

    Those expected as special guests include President Goodluck Jonathan, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola; his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and the AGF and Minister for Justice, Mr Mohammed Bello Adoke.