The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Jonathan

  • Governors reject Jonathan’s bid to remove Amaechi

    Governors reject Jonathan’s bid to remove Amaechi

    Forum’s election put off till May

    It was a simple gathering of governors to elect their forum’s chairman.

    But the Abuja meeting turned out to be more – a verbal war between two governors and a retreat by President Goodluck Jonathan – backed opponents of Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) chairman.

    All was tense. After four hours, the governors postponed the election till May.

    The bad blood generated by the Presidency’s move to oust Amaechi and the insistence of his supporters to ensure he continues defined the meeting.

    Faced with a defeat of its bid to remove the Rivers State helmsman, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) formed its own Governors’ Forum on Sunday night under the leadership of Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio.

    It was learnt that anti-Amaechi forces proposed the postponement for time to restrategise.

    The anti-Amaechi forces secured only 16 signatures out of the 36 governors at the start of the meeting. They needed 24 signatories for two-thirds or 19 for simple majority.

    Reading the communique at the end of the meeting, Amaechi said: “We, the governors of the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at our 3rd meeting of the year held on Monday 25th February, 2013, at the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja, deliberated on a number of issues and resolved as follows:

    “Members reviewed the affairs of the Forum in the past 21 months, detailing activities, achievements and challenges experienced during the period.

    “After exhaustive deliberation of the issues regarding filling vacant positions, the Forum resolved that election in this regard be postponed until May when the Chairman’s initial two-year tenure will expire.”

    Akpabio said: “We thought that the election should be held in May so that by that time, the new leadership will start functioning immediately after they are selected, elected or by consensus they are brought into office.”

    “This is almost a committee of equals. Anybody can be chairman or vice chairman. So, it is not a big deal for us.”

    On the newly-formed PDP Governors Forum, he said: “We are going to ensure total unification of the PDP. This time around, we want to put our house in order.”

    “While the Chairman of NGF can speak for all of us, the PDP Forum will only speak for the PDP governors.

    Anambra State Governor Peter Obi said: “The meeting went very well. The reason why we postponed the meeting is that our Constitution says the chairman must give a detailed account of his activities during his tenure before the election.”

    “And today, that account was presented. The incumbent has the right to recontest as long as our Constitution is not amended,” he said.

    The low point of the meeting was when Akpabio and Niger State Governor Aliyu Babangida engaged in a shouting match over the formation of the PDP Governors Forum.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said the session was characterised by tension on both sides of the divide. Amaechi was presiding.

    It was gathered that the tension followed a series of caucus meetings attended by the governors preparatory to the session.

    The source said: “Both sides had perfected their strategies, but the atmosphere was war-like for the conduct of an acceptable election.

    “As a matter of fact, discussions on the desirability of the election got to a point that the newly-elected chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and the chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, engaged in a shouting match at the session.”

    A source, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “The two governors almost engaged in fisticuffs when Aliyu stood up to make his views known on the formation of PDP Governors Forum at the Presidential Villa on Sunday night.

    “The Niger State Governor said there was no basis for forming the PDP Governors Forum. He told his colleagues that there was no problem running the NGF and if anybody has a contrary opinion, he can raise any issue for resolution at the forum. He described the PDP Governors Forum as a deliberate move by the Presidency to split the Nigeria Governors Forum and turn it into a tool to be used.

    “Aliyu repeatedly said ‘by forming another forum within a forum, it means forces from outside are at work. He said he saw that a dictator was going to emerge in President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Akpabio replied: “The PDP Forum was formed with the consent of party leaders in order to keep the party united.

    “There is nothing wrong with it. After all, you are the chairman of the Northern Governors Forum. Is there anything wrong with that? Has Northern Forum divided the NGF?

    “The President or the PDP is not using anybody.”

    “The shouting match between the two governors was so serious that some governors started packing their files, preparatory to leaving the venue of the meeting because they did not want to be part of the mess.

    “At that point, the two governors embraced each other. I think they raised their voices against each other as a carry-over of their irreconcilable positions on Jonathan’s second term ambition.

    “While Akpabio is for Jonathan’s second term, Aliyu recently reminded the President to stick to the one-term pact he signed with PDP governors. So, a minor issue at the meeting led to the shouting march.”

    The source added that the poll shift was at the instance of anti-Amaechi forces who sensed a loss at the meeting.

    The source said: “It was apparent to the forces against Amaechi that they might not secure two-thirds majority or a simple majority to remove the Rivers State Governor.

    “Prior to the commencement of the meeting, they were collecting signatories and they secured 16 out of 36, with only an opposition governor against Amaechi.

    “They also came to the meeting with a joker to make Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema the new Chairman of the NGF. All their permutations failed like a pack of cards. The pro-Amaechi governors also had a Plan B to make Aliyu the next NGF leader, in case of worst scenario.

    “In the midst of the commotion, Akpabio stood up to move a motion for the postponement of the election till May.

    Akpabio was quoted as saying: “Why are we in hurry to conduct this election? After all, the tenure of the chairman of the Forum will end in May.

    “The election has heated up the polity, as if we are fighting each other. Let us hold the election in May when this tension would have died down.”

    The source added: “The proposal from Akpabio was seen as an olive branch from the forces against Amaechi and it was unanimously adopted that the election be postponed till May.”

    Asked why the pro-Amaechi governors agreed to the postponement, the source said: “We knew Amaechi’s opponents forces would have staged a walk-out, if we had gone ahead with the election.

    “They did not have the number but they can create a crisis within the Forum and split it. This thing requires tact.”

    Some of the states represented at the meeting are Borno, Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Niger, Enugu, Bayelsa, Zamfara, Ebonyi, Ondo, Anambra and Abia.

    Others are: Plateau, Nasarawa, Ekiti, Benue, Sokoto, Gombe, Kano, Kogi, Adamawa, Jigawa, Imo, Edo, Kwara, Ogun, Osun and Katsina.

     

  • Jonathan approves Justice Archibong’s retirement

    Jonathan approves Justice Archibong’s retirement

    President Goodluck Jonathan, has approved the compulsory retirement of Hon. Justice Charles Efanga Archibong of the Federal High Court, Lagos, with immediate effect.

    The approval is sequel to the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) at its Emergency Meeting held on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The Council is chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar.

    A statement by the Acting Director (Information), Soji Oye, said the President has also approved the extension of the appointment of the Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa.

    The approval was sequel to the recommendation by the NJC, pursuant to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

    The Council in a statement said “Hon. Justice Archibong was recommended for compulsory retirement to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR pursuant to the ‘Findings” by the Council on the following Complaints levelled against him:-

    *That the Judge dismissed the grievous charges against an accused without taking his plea;

    *That he refused to release the Certified True Copy of his Ruling to the Lawyers;

    *That the Judge issued a bench warrant on some officials of Peoples Democratic Party for contempt even when the counsel who was directed by the Court to serve them filed an affidavit that he had not been able to serve the contempt application;

    *That he made unfounded and caustic remarks on professional competence of some Senior Advocates of Nigeria;

    *That there were glaring procedural irregularities which showed that Hon. Justice Archibong did not have a full grasp of the Law and procedure of the Court; and

    *That he granted the leave sought for in the originating summons that had no written address of the parties and without hearing both parties in the originating summons after he had earlier on overruled the preliminary objection”, the statement added.

     

     

  • Jonathan approves Justice Archibong’s retirement

    Jonathan approves Justice Archibong’s retirement

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday approved the compulsory retirement of Justice Charles Archibong of the Federal High Court Lagos.

    According to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Muhammed Adoke, the President based his approval on the recommendation from the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Aloma Mukthar, is desirous about ridding the judiciary of corrupt judges and officials in order to restore it as the “bastion of hope for the common man.”

    Last week, the NJC recommended the immediate retirement of two judges, Charles Archibong and T. D. Naron of High Court of Justice, Plateau State, having found them guilty through committees that were set up to probe allegations of judicial misconduct levelled against them.

    Speaking with State House correspondents on Monday, Muhammed Adoke, said: “This is to inform you that President Goodluck Jonathan is in receipt of a recommendation from the National Judicial Council recommending the compulsory retirement of Justice Charles Archibong and Mr. President has approved that it should take immediate effect.”

    “It is Mr. President’s belief that once we are able to cleanse the judiciary of corruption, then our fight against corruption in its entirety will take a firm root and will be on its way to success.”

     

  • Jonathan calls for establishment of ASA Secretariat

    Jonathan calls for establishment of ASA Secretariat

     

    President Goodluck Jonathan in Malabo on Friday called for the establishment of a secretariat for the Africa-South-America (ASA) Summit.

    Jonathan made the call in an address at the third Africa-South America Summit, saying that the establishment of the secretariat would consolidate the various institutions that would drive the collaboration.

    He said it would also help to place the regions at an “advantageous position” in the wider context of multi-lateral engagements.

    “I urge that the secretariat be established without further delay.

    “It is not enough to have the Strategic Presidential Committee play the role of an interim secretariat when we have already agreed to establish a permanent secretariat at our previous summit,’’ he said.

    Jonathan described Africa and South America as two regions of `immense possibilities’.

    He urged the leaders of two continents to take advantage of the summit to give further impetus and practical expression to South-South cooperation which the continents had long been engaged in.

    The president lauded President Obiang Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea for hosting the summit, especially when the prospect of having the meeting faced some challenges.

    He described the theme of the summit, “Strategies and Mechanism to Strengthen South-South Cooperation”, as `a welcome reminder’ of the objectives which the two regions had set for themselves when the partnership was established.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Nigeria hosted the first edition of the summit in June 2006 and Venezuela hosted the second edition in 2009.

     

  • Jonathan okays N384b for PHCN staff entitlements

    Jonathan okays N384b for PHCN staff entitlements

    The Federal Government yesterday approved N384 billion for the settlement of gratuities and entitlements of the over 54,000 displaced staff of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

    They were relocated following the unbundling of the nation’s power sector. The workers’ union had engaged the Federal Government in a protracted negotiation over the on-going reforms in the sector.

    The Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Nworgu, disclosed the approval while briefing reporters at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.

    Nworgu, who spoke in the company of the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, the Acting Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Benjanmi Ezra Dikki and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the payments would commence immediately.

    He said President Goodluck Jonathan’s approval was in accordance with the agreement signed in the course of negotiations between labour and Government towards resolving the issue once and for all.

    He said: “I want to inform you that the agreed benefits accruing to the staff of PHCN in the last negotiation between government and the Labour Unions have been approved by President Goodluck Jonathan. Payment of the agreed sum will commence immediately and that will bring to an end the issue of non-payment of benefits.

    “So, we enjoin labour unions in the power sector to work closely with the Ministry of Power in the payment of these benefits as agreed. The process will commence tomorrow (today) and I want to assure them that this will bring to an end the labour issue in the sector.

    “This payment is only for PHCN staff, and in determining who should benefit, labour and government conducted a biometric exercise. The number of people benefiting is clearly defined by this agreement,” he added.

    “The total package is approximately N384 billion in full payments of all outstanding benefits that we agreed upon. It will be done within the best principle of transparency and accountability.”

    Speaking at the press conference, the Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo expressed appreciation to the PHCN staff for ensuring availability of power as he urged them not to relent in the efforts to complete the remaining reform processes.

    He said “We are very grateful to the staff of PHCN for all that they have done to make sure that power is available all over the country. We do hope that they will continue to serve patriotically to ensure that no hitch is put in place in the realisation of the entire power sector roadmap.”

    “We want to make sure that eventually Nigerians get uninterrupted power supply and that is exactly what the roadmap for the power sector would address.” He stated

     

  • ‘Jonathan has right to re-contest’

    ‘Jonathan has right to re-contest’

    In this interview, Igwe Patrick Eze of Amala, Enugu State, speaks with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE on the eligibility of President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term and other issues.

     

    What is the way out of insecurity in the country?

    The issue of insecurity has continued to stare us in the face. The impression is that the future is bleak, if adequate measures are not taking to curb the menace. Insecurity is a big threat to the people of this country and sadly, there is no solution on sight. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was correct in his observation when he laid the blame for insecurity on President Goodluck Jonathan for not doing what he ought to do as the Commander-In-Chief.

    When something starts to attack you on the leg and you allow it to climb up to your neck, the consequences of the attack will certainly be more destructive. This is the way I look at the situation. It is very unfortunate that, for many years now, the people of this country have always been vulnerable to security lapses.

    In the days of Buhari/Idiagbon Regime, people lost their lives for drug trafficking and politicians, media practitioners and civil society leaders were not secured because of the implementation of Decree 2. During the Babangida Regime, people like Dele Giwa died under questionable circumstance and corruption was the order of the day. Fraudsters dented the image of the country. During the Abacha Regime, prominent people like members of the NADECO ran abroad because they were not secured. Kudirat Abiola lost her life.

    The administration of Abdusalami Abubakar supervised the transition to civil rule programs. But the problem continued when Obasanjo came. The fight between Umueri and Aguleri, the crisis in Odi and Zakibiam that attracted military action against civilians were regrettable. Again, the rise of Niger Delta militants and assassination of Bola Ige, Harry Marshal, Alfred Dikibo and others were a huge sign of insecurity.

    When Yar’Adua came, Boko Haram emerged to terrorise the people in the North. It has continued under Jonathan Administration. So, on this note, it is justifiable to blame the problem of insecurity and corruption on the people at the helms of affairs. It is very unfortunate and, if we can’t find a lasting solution, one day, we will have to change the name Nigeria to the Federal Republic of Insecurity and Corruption.

    Observers have attributed the lingering insecurity to the struggle for power between the North and President Goodluck Jonathan. What is your view?

    Yes, I agree. People in some parts of the country believe that the Presidency is their birth right. Thus, they want to monopolise it. Nigeria is made up of different groups. Each group, either from East, West, North or South, has the right to occupy the office of the President. Now, we are talking about centenary celebration because Nigeria will soon clock 100 years. What we should take note of is that, as we celebrate 100 years, there is a part of the country called the Igbo that has not produced the President, yet they are not making trouble. This is why we are saying that an Igbo man will certainly take over from Jonathan in 2019.

    The North is agitating for power shift. Can they stop Jonathan’s second term bid?

    In my own view, Nigerians should better allow Jonathan to continue. Why? Because Jonathan cannot afford to disappoint Nigeria under the circumstance of having their mandate and good will for a second term in office. He would rather work harder to reciprocate and justify the people’s benevolence and massive trust in him. If we say, let us try another President, the person will likely come up with a different agenda that will certainly push him to seek fresh eight years from 2015 to 2023. Let’s challenge Jonathan with another mandate and see how far he can go.

    I am not a praise singer, but I can observe that Jonathan Administration is addressing the teething problems of electricity, bad roads and unemployment. I don’t see the magic another person could do to achieve better things.

    The opposition is accusing Jonathan Administration of incompetence and shallow commitment to the anti-corruption war. Don’t you think that this will work against him during the election?

    Corruption has been a big problem in this country for nearly 40 years. Corruption has led to the collapse of many government establishments. Some industries established by government like Sun rise Floor Mill, Enugu, Avop Oil Mill Nachi, Nkalagu Cement Factory, Enugu State have collapsed because of corruption. Go to Onitsha ,we have Premier Breweries. It is no more. Golden Guinea Breweries, Umuahia, Pal Breweries Oko, and Aba Textile are no more as a result of corruption. So, my own view is that people should join hands with government to fight corruption by putting the interest of the country above selfish interest.

    Can the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeat PDP?

    If Jonathan Administration can fix roads, fix electricity and create jobs, no amount of merger will stop him from being re-elected. He will even defeat those involved in the merger in their respective wards. If Jonathan can fix the Second Niger Bridge, fix Southeast Road and accord the Igbo more federal presence, the Igbo will, as usual, vote for him massively.

    Nigeria is celebrating its 100 years of existence. What is your view?

    To celebrate is normal in life. Besides, such a big celebration by a big country like Nigeria would end up providing jobs for the people. I learnt they are going to build what they call ‘Centenary Village’. The building project and other things they will do will certainly provide jobs for people. At the end of the day, you find out that the centenary exercise will put food on the table of people. So, I totally disagree with those who say that it is a waste.

    Traditional rulers are agitating for constitutional roles. What is your view?

    There are different categories of traditional rulers and I’m sure that those making the suggestion are aware of that. In Enugu State, the government is carrying us along. We were given brand new cars to enhance our roles in the state.

    The issue of granting more powers depends on the capability of government. If the government can allocate certain amount of money for rulers through the budget, let them do it.

     

  • D-8 agreements will boost relations among members – Jonathan

    D-8 agreements will boost relations among members – Jonathan

    The agreements and decisions taken at the recent D-8 summit in Pakistan would strengthen existing relations among member states, President Goodluck Jonathan has said.

    He made this remark on Tuesday while speaking to the new Pakistani High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lt. General Mohamad Ashraf Saleem, who was one of the three new ambassadors that presented letters of credence to the Presidency at the State House.

    According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President said: “I am glad that you are coming soon after the D-8 Summit, because we plan to take advantage of the decisions of the group to strengthen our relations.”

    He said that Nigeria aims to leverage on the long history of bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Pakistan in order to improve agriculture, create more jobs, and increase food supply in the country.

    The new High Commissioner said that he is looking forward to work with the President to improve relations between the two nations.

    During a separate audience with Mr. David Jonathan Richardson of Australia, President Jonathan said that he is looking forward to more cooperation and investment from Australia, especially in the solid minerals sector.

    The President also expressed appreciation for Australia’s pledge of $50m to support Nigeria’s polio eradication programme, and restated the administration’s commitment to eradicate polio from Nigeria by 2015.

    Also speaking to Mr. Joao Andre Pinto Dias Lima of Brazil, President Jonathan said the forthcoming visit of the Brazilian President to Abuja will encourage closer relations between Nigeria and Brazil.

    The new ambassadors pledged to do their best to strengthen relations with Nigeria during their tenures in the country.

     

  • PRESIDENTIAL SUMMIT ON WATER

    PRESIDENTIAL SUMMIT ON WATER

  • Jonathan calls for heavy vehicles’ parks

    Jonathan calls for heavy vehicles’ parks

    President Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday directed the Federal Road Safety Commission to liaise with stakeholders to work out plans for the provision of parks for heavy duty vehicles nationwide.

    Jonathan gave the directive in Abuja while declaring open a one-day International Conference to mark the 25th Anniversary of FRSC.

    Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, the president said the directive was necessary to check indiscriminate parking by such vehicles.

    He said that the manner of parking of such vehicles posed danger to other road users and as such the government was poised to address the problem.

    Jonathan commended former President Ibrahim Babangida for setting up FRSC and described the vision as a solid one.

    He said his administration would consolidate on the vision and strengthen the commission to perform its functions diligently.

    He said government had increased the capital and overhead budget of the commission in the last three years to about 300 per cent, while its staff strength had also risen by 40 per cent.

    “We have also acceded to the 1949 Vienna and Geneva Conventions on road markings and signage to which Nigeria hitherto was not a signatory.

    “Furthermore, the Federal Executive Council has approved the incorporation of road safety education in the nation’s school curriculum.

    “The policy on standard school bus for the country has also been approved by the Federal Government,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the president as saying at the conference.

    He said that since its establishment, the agency had engaged in vigorous campaigns that had forced down the trend of road traffic crashes, which had put Nigeria among the most crash-prone nations in the world.

     

  • Security agents must rescue kidnapped foreigners -Jonathan

    Security agents must rescue kidnapped foreigners -Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the nation’s security agencies to take all necessary action to locate and rescue the foreign construction workers who were abducted from their camp by terrorists on Saturday in Bauchi State.

    In a statement signed by his media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, President Jonathan commiserated with the family of the guard who was reportedly killed in the attack on Jamaáre, Bauchi State.

    He assured the relatives of the kidnapped workers as well as the governments of their countries that the Federal Government and its security agencies are doing everything possible to find their captors and ensure the safe release of all those they abducted.

    He condemned the kidnapping of the workers and reaffirmed the government’s total commitment to stamping out all forms of terrorism and criminal abduction in the country.

    He urged all Nigerians and foreigners in the country to continue to go about their normal business in the full assurance that the government and national security agencies are working tirelessly to curb threats to security in all parts of the country.