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Jonathan to Buhari: extend probe to Obasanjo, others

President Goodluck Jonathan replied yesterday to calls for the probe of his administration. He said any probe by the incoming Muhammadu Buhari administration should not be limited to his administration.

Speaking during the valedictory session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, he said that those calling for a probe of his administration should ensure that the same treatment applies to other administrations before him.

The other administrations include those of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (1998-1999), former President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007) and the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (2007-2010).

Jonathan said such probe should cover how oil wells and fields were allocated in the past.

Limiting the probe to his administration, he said, will amount to witch hunting.

Said Dr Jonathan: “Some people are even calling for the probe of this government. I agree in Nigeria there are a number of things that we will probe, very many things. Even debts owed by states and this nation from 1960 up to this time, they say it is Jonathan’s administration that is owing all the debt.

“I believe that anybody calling for probe must ensure that these probes are extended beyond the Jonathan administration; otherwise, to me, it will be witch hunting. If you are very sincere, then it’s not just the Jonathan’s administration that should be probed.

“A number of things have gone wrong and we have done our best to fix them. The Attorney General is aware of massive judgment debts. If we aggregate all of them, it’s almost going to $1 billion. How did we come to this kind of huge judgment debts?

“These issues should be probed. How do you allocate our oil wells, oil fields, marginal wells and all that; do we follow our laws? All these should be probed. And I believe all these and many more areas should be looked at.”

According to him, the fuel scarcity and workers’ strikes are acts of sabotage by those bent on bringing down his administration, despite having few days to go.

Jonathan said: “Even this last fuel scarcity, to me, one can clearly say it was an act of sabotage. This government has few days to go. That is definitely not the time you expect massive strikes, using marketers and unions; unions asking for increase in salaries at a time oil price has dropped and volumes have dropped.

“None of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) is increasing salaries but our unions wanted 11 per cent increase in allowances and so on and so forth and went on strike.

“There was 21 days reserve in this country. It is not as if we had no products but they just refused to lift. Diesel was deregulated long ago, so the issue was not the product but people who felt they must bring this government to its knees even when they know that we had few days to leave. But we thank God we are getting over it and God will see us through.”

The President also stressed that his administration had done its best for Nigeria.

His words: “One thing that is clear, I enjoyed working with all of you. I’m very pleased with all of you. I want to thank all of you for your various contributions to the development of our country. I want to thank those that have been with us, the Advisers, Special Senior Assistants, the secretariat, other senior government functionaries, including the media that covered proceedings every Wednesday.”

“As a cabinet, we have tried our best. I believe we have done well under a very difficult situation. There are a lot of criticisms; people say different things at different times. Some of those who make some statements know they are purely political.

“I have always throw, the challenge that those who criticise us should compare what we have done in the various sectors to what others have done. I may not need to enumerate but if you look at the rail system and what we have done within this period, the oil sector where there has been so much attack, one good thing we did was the Nigerian content law that revolutionised the oil industry.”

He went on: “There were a lot of fabrication going on in Lagos and other places but it was never like this before. Nigerians are playing key roles in the oil sector. People sometimes forget this. Even with that, maybe we have offended some people but the Nigerian local content has really helped so many Nigerians to play big in the oil sector.”

“The agriculture, power sectors and maybe in foreign relations, like the Minister of Foreign Affairs mentioned, from 1960 to date, we have been members of the Security Council as non-permanent members five times; out of these five times, two times was with the five years of our administration.”

“We have been an independent nation for years and we have been in the United Nations Security Council as non-permanent members five times, two within this administration. That shows clearly that the rest of the world appreciates our little contributions to global issue.”

“In education, the road system; we have added Kasambilla to our dams; we have done wonderfully well in sports within this period. Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and, of course, the financial inclusion within this period is more than ever before. I can go on and on and mention almost all the sectors. So I believe we have done our best ýand Nigerians will continue to assess us,” he said.

“Even though we operated under an extremely difficult situation, maybe because politics in Nigeria is just maturing, we witnessed the longest ASUU strike. I don’t think we have ever witnessed a strike that lasted for six months and we believe that that strike was partially politically-motivated; otherwise lecturers cannot troop out for six months.

“There were the terror attacks. We know Boko Haram predates this administration but immediately after the elections, I believe because of local and external factors, they became very vicious, extremely destructive, killing people and destroying properties.”

The President said that the cabinet will be dissolved at the end of all official functions today.

He said: “But remember we still have a programme tomorrow; the government is not ending today. We have the formal handover process tomorrow and you must come as ministers of the Federal Government. I’m saying so because of the media; the cabinet has not been desolved.

“This is only a valedictory session because this is the last Wednesday. We will certainly formally dissolve the cabinet. But today, the cabinet has not been dissolve because ministers are yet to hand over and that ceremony will come up tomorrow, and you will come for tomorrow’s dinner as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

“We will probably have a little meeting here where we will formally dissolve the cabinet but all these programmes coming up tomorrow you have to attend as ministers.”

Vice President Namadi Sambo, who set the ball rolling during the valedictory, thanked the President for the confidence reposed in him over the years.

He noted that he never lobbied to be Jonathan’s running mate both in 2011 and the 2015 presidential elections.

He said: “His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan found me worthy to be his running mate twice, first in 2011 when we were returned with an overwhelming majority to emerge victorious at the election and in 2015 where we encountered some electoral misfortune.

“I can recall confidently that I had neither canvassed nor lobbied to be appointed the Vice President at any point in time, except that Mr. President found me worthy to support him in steering the ship of state. This is a clear demonstration and proof of the confidence Mr. President reposed in me in the discharge of my onerous responsibility of my office to the best of my ability.

“I am privileged and humbled to be found worthy to be the Vice President of this great nation by a great leader, democrat, peace ambassador and patriot of our time.”

He praised other members of FEC for what he called their monumental service to the country and their collective spirit to serve their fatherland.

Sambo pointed out that the administration came into being at a difficult time but through the effort of Jonathan, especially in electoral reforms that allowed the conduct of free, fair and credible elections and his concession of defeat as an incident, showed the President’s exemplary spirit of sportsmanship.

Recalling Jonathan’s declaration that his ambition was not worth a drop of any Nigerian’s blood, Sambo said Jonathan’s action had put Nigeria firmly on the global map of democracy.

All the ministers commended the leadership style of President Jonathan as they expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve.

The Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Awal Bappa, predicted that Jonathan would return to office in 2019 following the footsteps of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, who returned to office decades after they were heads of state.

According to her, the only difference will be that Jonathan would wait only for four years rather than decades before coming back.

Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen. Aliyu Gusau (rtd), concurred with Bappa that Jonathan will indeed be back to office as president “soon”.

May 28, 2015
Jonathan set to sign amended Constitution

President Goodluck Jonathan will likely assent, to the amendment to the Constitution termed: ‘Alteration Act 2015’, before he hands over on Friday.

The President’s sudden change of mind was informed by the agreement reached by representatives of the President and the National Assembly at a meeting held on Tuesday at the instance of the Supreme Court to amicably resolve the issue.

The President had refused to sign it due to disagreements with the Legislature on some provisions of the amended constitution.

Moved by threat by the National Assembly to override his veto, the President, acting through the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN), filed a suit at the Supreme Court, asking the court to among others, declare the Fourth Constitution Alteration Bill unconstitutional and illegal.

When the case came up yesterday morning, lawyer to the AGF, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN) and lawyer to the National Assembly, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) told the court that parties met on Tuesday and agreed to some concessions, following which the President agreed to sign the amendment.

Ojo, who said the outcome of the meeting was yet to be communicated to the President by the AGF, sought time for parties to finalise the terms of settlement and present them before the court for adoption.

He disagreed with Awomolo, who wanted the court to strike out the case outright, since parties have agreed to an out of court settlement.

Ruling, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who led a seven-man panel hearing the case, directed parties to file the terms of settlement by 4pm and adjourned till then.

When the court resumed shortly after 4pm, Ojo informed the court that the terms of settlement and notice of withdrawal of the case had been filed. He urged the court to adopt the terms of settlement as its decision in the case and strike out the suit, a position Awomolo agreed with.

The CJN consequently struck out the suit and commended parties for agreeing to settle the case amicably.

Ojo old reporters after the court’s proceedings, that parties were now at peace as the reason for the suit had been resolved at the meeting.

By the agreement, the President allowed six out of 13 items he had objected to in the amendment.

The agreement saw the removal of alteration to section 9 of the Constitution which allowed the National Assembly to dispense with the President’s assent in the process of constitution amendment.

The inserted subsection 3(a) in section 9 had read, “For the purposes of altering the provisions of this constitution, the assent of the President shall not be required.”

The President was successful in his objection to the separation of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minster of Justice as well as the separation of the Attorney General of state from the Commissioner of Justice.

The President refused to sign the amended constitution as proposed by the National Assembly due to the alterations to sections 8, 9, 34, 35, 39, 42, 45, 58, 84, 150, 174, 195 and 211of the 1999 Constitution.

With the agreement, the alterations made to sections 8, 9, 45(a) – 45(b), 150, 174, 195 and 211 will now be deleted.

The National Assembly will retain its alterations to sections 34, 35, 39, 42, 58 and 84 of the Constitution.

May 28, 2015
Jonathan sends confab report to National Assembly for legislative action

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday forwarded the 2014 National Conference to the National Assembly for necessary legislative action.

Jonathan, in a memo addressed to the Senate President, David Mark, entitled: “Approval for the implementation of the recommendations and resolutions of the National Conference 2014”, outlined the actions the Federal Executive Council had taken on the confab report.

The memo was read on the floor of the Senate by Mark.

The controversial confab, which was headed by retired Justice Idris Kutigi, sat for over three months.

Its report was submitted to the President on the August 21, 2014.

Jonathan said he was submitting the report to the Senate for consideration and legislative action.

The memo reads in part: “May I draw the attention of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the enclosed report of the National Conference, 2014, which was deliberated upon and approved for implementation by the Federal Executive Council at its meeting of March 18, 2014.

“Your Excellency may recall that the National Conference was inaugurated on March 17,2014, with the mandate to among other things:

(a) discuss any issue about Nigeria with particular emphasis on finding solutions to the problems of national unity and development.

(b) come up with strategies to strengthen rather than weaken Nigeria’s unity and enhance a participatory and inclusive democratic system of government.

(c)recognise the need to move the country forward and de-emphasise the narrow interest that defines our fault lines.

(d)spell out the modalities for the implementation of these recommendations and resolutions.

(e) suggest any constitutional arrangement they consider best for Nigeria.

“Although, the national conference was not given any no go areas, it was enjoined to refrain from discussing the breakup of the country.

“Distinguished senators are invited to note that at the end of the conference, a report was submitted with recommendations and resolutions covering the following thematic areas:

“Agriculture and Water Resources, Citizenship, immigration and related matters, civil society organisations, labour, youths and sports, devolution of power, economy, trade and investment, energy, environment, foreign policy and Diaspora matters, law, judiciary, human rights and legal reform.

“Land tenure matters and national boundaries, national security, political restructuring and forms of government, political parties and electoral matters, policies and governance, public finance, public service, social sector, religion, science technology and development and transportation.

“The recommendations of the conference on the implementation modalities of the resolutions are contained in chapter six of the report.

“The resolutions are classified into three broad categories, constitutional, legal and policy issues.

“The report further indicates the nature of the actions to be taken, the objectives to be achieved and the agency that needs to take the actions.

“The conference also submitted draft bills of resolutions that require constitution amendments or legal amendments.

“At the meeting of FEC on 18th of March 2015, council considered and approved the reports of the conference and resolved as follows:

A: That the draft bills be transmitted to the National Assembly for enactment into law.

B: That the recommendations, resolutions that are outside the purview of the Federal Government be forwarded to the relevant tiers of government for implementations.

C: That relevant agencies of government should harmonise the conference resolutions with extant policies for immediate implementation.

“Distinguished Senate President, the report of the National conference is hereby forwarded to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for consideration and necessary legislative actions.”

The request for the consideration of the controversial report was also read to the House by the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, who performed his last function in the House prior to his inauguration and swearing in as the Governor of Sokoto State tomorrow.

May 28, 2015
Letter to Jonathan

IT is no longer news that you lost your re-election bid. Although it was a painful loss, yet a necessary one.Necessary because the peaceful co-existence of the nation depended on it. The masses made their choices and with their voters card, they chose what they felt was a better option. So they voted you out. But Mr President this is not the purpose of this epistle. I saw it necessary to write to you, not because you lost but because you conceded defeat.

Leaders like you are difficult to come by, especially among Africans. Africans are always known to be power grabbers. They serve as dictators and are usually resistant to change. We saw this clearly inIvory Coast. We earlier saw it in Uganda under Indi Amin. You proved otherwise. You congratulated the winner before INEC did. Hence, you immortalised the words of the great author, Leroy Eames that: “A leader is one who sees more than others see, who sees farther than others see, and who sees before others see.” You saw the bold handwriting on the wall and reacted promptly with grace. That was heroic.

Just as the holy book cautioned man to “flee from every appearances of evil,” many were ready to flee Nigeria.They saw calamity waiting to happen. They saw the country as a stock load of explosives ready to detonate. You changed all that. You made all the political prophets who had prophesied doom for this country bury their head in shame. You brought intrinsic substance to the very core of our democracy. And the international community praised you for that.

You showed patriotism in its truest state even if it didn’t please some of your aides like the now popular GodswillOrubebe. Just as my mentor, Gilbert Alasacrooned: “You owe yourself a duty; to be truthful to your belief, your inner self, no matter whose horse is gored”. You acted the truth, even if it goredOrubebe’s horse.

You put all your hollow fanatics and fire spitting supporters at bay. Your congratulatory message to the president-elect was enough to show the world the beauty of democracy. It was a sign that we could still go on as one nation, even though the citizens chose to kick you out. You shocked Nigerians by your exemplary display of statesmanship. It shocked the world.

Mr President, many students were prepared for another session of forced academic holiday. They thought the chaos from the election would shut down our ivory towers. Our schools were deserted. They thought the election would breathe down fire and brimstone on us. But they were disappointed. It was a good disappointment. This was the kind of disappointment we all longed for. But we were starved of it. We needed to be disappointed about the reality of the Boko haram insurgency. But we were not. Instead, every bomb blast reminded us that they were a predicted reality.Sir, all these led to the final disappointment – your election loss.

Mr President, I grieve your loss. I seriously do. I loved your mantra, your control and style of leadership. Where others saw trouble or looming danger, you saw hope. I campaigned immensely for your re-election. Although, not enough to convince my parents and my siblings. I must apologise for that. Each time I tried to convince them to vote in your support, they expressed scepticismover series of unpaid allowances. They called it ‘hazard allowance’. They said if that money had been paid, they would have not been under the plight of an overbearing landlord.

Anyway, I was not deterred. I continued campaigning for you. I tried to convinceothers. But, I found it more difficult to convince anyone better than my friends did for your opponent.They won supporters by just the shout of ‘change’. I had to engage every individual I met in a long documentary of the works you have done. Most of them seemed so comfortably tucked in under the duvet of their stereotypes. They couldn’t bear any dissection from their misconceptions or flawed generalisations about you.

That made me wonder, why was it hard to convince the masses for your re-election? I wondered for days.

The answer, of course, was not farfetched. You were surrounded by bad marketers. You drew false friends around your throne. They could not sell you to the public. You did so much yet we knew so little. You were surrounded by lip lickers, egregiously mouthy individuals who needed your office to feather their own nests. They didn’t listen to you. They didn’t listen to the people either. They just wanted to tell you what they felt would cheer your soul. They were political hangers-on. You know them quite well. Instead of campaigning for you, they were busy throwing outrageous expletives and tantrums at your opponentwithout caution.

Surely, those hideous comments stoked a curious brand of hate, intolerance and bigotry that should never be allowed in the 21st century politics. I was really disheartened that we have become a generation that cannot throw jibes at each other or sustain simple civilised debate without resorting to barefaced insults and uncouth attacks. I was truly shaken by the effusion of animosity and ethnic tunes that tore us further apart.

Many also said you were herbaceous. And that you didn’t have the gusto to lead this country. Anyway, that was their opinion. Let us watch on Mr President, as someone who seems to possess this ‘gusto’ takes charge. Those who accuse you of lassitude do not know the power behind the adage, “uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.”

Free press flourished during your tenure. The media had a good time, practicing its trade without intimidation. I hope the incoming government do not have any reason to interfere with its growth. I would surely miss your chirpy smiles and humility. You cared for the next generation, a reminder of the admonition of James Clarke, “the difference between a politician and a statesman is that a politician thinks about the next election while the statesman thinks about the next generation.”

Even in defeat, you reiterated: “no body’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian”. If only your opponent had learnt to make such statements during those times he kept losing out.

I also heard all your friends have deserted you. That should not come as a surprise. Mr President, I would always remain your true friend, come rain or shine.

Finally Mr President, I believe you can replicate the statesmanship you displayed during the collation of the election results. Call your troublesome supporters to order. They are your enemies. They loathe the beauty of our democracy. God bless you as you do so.I sincerely hope you assist the incoming government in every way you can.

Ezekiel, 300-Level Pharmacy, UNIBEN

May 28, 2015
Jonathan, security chiefs meet at Aso Rock

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday met with security chiefs behind closed-doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Details of the meeting, which is the last under the outgoing administration, were not made public at the end of the meeting.

None of those who attended the meeting spoke on the discussions at the meeting.

There was also no official statement at the end of the meeting.

But it was gathered that the President used the opportunity to thank them for their support over the years.

May 27, 2015
Bayelsa plans grand reception for Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan will return to a grand reception organized by Governor Seriake Dickson-led administration in Bayelsa State after handing over to the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on May 29.

Bayelsa State Government on Wednesday announced programmes of events mapped out to receive Jonathan whom it described as the proud son of the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta region.

Members of the reception committee set up by Dickson to welcome the President said in a press briefing that Jonathan is expected in the state immediately after handing over on May 29.

The Chairman of the committee and Commissioner for Information, Mr. Esueme Kikile, said the reception was being organized to thank Nigerians for the opportunity they gave an Ijaw man from Bayelsa to serve the country.

He said despite the geographical size of the state, it produced the first minority President of Nigeria.

He noted that the state would use the reception as a platform to appreciate God for bringing back the President in good stead.

“We are very proud of his achievements,” he said, adding that Jonathan will arrive the state at 3pm on Friday.

He said the President will be hosted to a civic reception at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre from where he will proceed to Otuoke, his hometown.

Other events are interdenominational thanksgiving service and luncheon.

Kikile said movements would be restricted in some roads and areas where the events will hold for security reasons.

May 27, 2015
Jonathan distracted us unnecessarily – Tambuwal

The Federal Government under President Goodluck Jonathan distracted the 7th House of Representatives unnecessarily, the outgoing Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, has said.

Tambuwal in a speech titled: “The Power of Unity of Purpose,” made the disclosure during the valedictory session of the 7th House on Wednesday, regretting that the Peoples Democratic Party headed government caused unwarranted friction in the House because it wanted to control the legislature.

His words: “I must say that the frosty relationship between the Executive and Seventh House was an unnecessary distraction and a source of embarrassment to the nation. It is unwarranted that a ruling party with clear majority boxed itself into that situation.

“If the executive fails to recognize the independence of the legislature and expects that it is its rubber stamp then frosty relation is bound to follow. I would strongly urge the incoming executive arm and indeed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to avert this unwholesome situation.”

He, however, stressed the need for legislature to have a measure of independence to fulfill its mandate to the people, saying, “A legislature that seeks to fulfill its duty and obligation to the electorate whom they represent must exercise its independence and this comes at a price.

“A legislature truly playing it’s checks and balances role would normally experience friction with the other arms of government and other interest groups who have broken the law or desire to break the law in the course of time.

“We had more than a fair share of this friction and torment but overcame because the naughty walls of partisanship and selfish pecuniary considerations could not withstand the power of unity of purpose,” the outgoing Speaker added.

He described the refusal of the outgoing President Jonathan to assent the constitution amendment transmitted to him by the National Assembly as a “conspiracy.”

May 27, 2015
Jonathan forwards confab report to Senate

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday forwarded the 2014 National Conference to the Senate for necessary legislative action.

Jonathan in a memo addressed to the Senate President, David Mark, entitled: “Approval for the implementation of the recommendations and resolutions of the National Conference 2014,” outlined the actions the National Executive Council had taken on the confab report.

The memo was read on the floor of the Senate by Mark.

The controversial confab which was headed by retired Justice Idris Kutigi sat for over three months.

The report was submitted to President Jonathan on August 21, 2014.

Jonathan said he was submitting the report to the Senate for consideration and legislative action.

The memo reads in part, “May I draw the attention of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the enclosed report of the National Conference, 2014 which was deliberated upon and approved for implementation by the Federal Executive Council at its meeting of March 18, 2014.

“Your Excellency may recall that the National Conference was inaugurated on of March 17, 2014, with the mandate to among other things:

(A) Discuss any issue about Nigeria with particular emphasis on finding solutions to the problems of national unity and development.

(B) Come up with strategies to strengthen rather than weaken Nigeria’s unity and enhance a participatory and inclusive democratic system of government.

(C) Recognise the need to move the country forward and de-emphasise the narrow interest that defines our fault lines.

(D) Spell out the modalities for the implementation of these recommendations and resolutions.

(E) Suggest any constitutional arrangement they consider best for Nigeria.

“Although, the national conference was not given any no go areas, it was enjoined to refrain from discussing the breakup of the country.

“Distinguished senators are invited to note that at the end of the conference, a report was submitted with recommendations and resolutions covering the following thematic areas:

“Agriculture and Water Resources, Citizenship, immigration and related matters, civil society organisations, labour, youths and sports, devolution of power, economy, trade and investment, energy, environment, foreign policy and diaspora matters, law, judiciary, human rights and legal reform.

“Land tenure matters and national boundaries, national security, political restructuring and forms of government, political parties and electoral matters, policies and governance, public finance, public service, social sector, religion, science technology and development and transportation.

“The recommendation of the conference on the implementation modalities of the resolutions are contained in Chapter six of the report.

“The resolutions are classified into three broad categories, constitutional, legal and policy issues.

“The report further indicates the nature of the actions to be taken, the objectives to be achieved and the agency that needs to take the actions.”

May 27, 2015
Constitution: Jonathan, NASS agree to settle dispute

President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly have agreed to an amicable resolution of the dispute between them in relations to the last amendment to the Constitution.

Lawyer to Mohammed Adoke (SAN), Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), who sued for the President, Bayo Ojo (SAN) and lawyer to the National Assembly, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) confirmed before the Supreme Court today that parties met on Tuesday and agreed to some concessions.

They were silent on the nature of the concessions made by parties. They said terms of settlement will be endorsed by parties later on Wednesday and filed before the court, following which parties will be free to make details of the resolution public.

When the case was called, Ojo and Awomolo informed the court that parties met the previous day and made some concessions.

Ojo, who said the outcome of the meeting was yet to be communicated to the President by the AGF, and sought time for parties to finalise the terms of settlement and present it before the court for adoption, disagreed with Awomolo, who wanted the court to strike out the case outrightly, since parties have agreed to an out of court settlement.

Ruling, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who led a seven-man panel that is hearing the case, directed parties to file the terms of settlement by 4pm today and adjourned till then.

The President had withheld his accent to the Fourth Constitution Alteration Bill 2015, passed few months ago by the National Assembly and presented to him.

He hinged his refusal to sign the Bill on the ground that the procedure adopted by the Legislature for the passage was faulty.

He also queried some new provisions in the amended Constitution, which he felt were capable of reducing the power of President and conferring undue privileges on the Legislature.

Moved by threat by the National Assembly to override his veto, the President, acting through the AGF, filed the suit, asking the court to among others, declare the Fourth Constitution Alteration Bill unconstitutional and illegal.

May 27, 2015
Jonathan in dilemma

•Talks over amendments

There have been moves to settle the constitution amendment row amicably.

A Presidency team led by the Attorney-General of the Federation Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), and National Assembly leaders yesterday met in Abuja on the stalemated amendments to the 1999 Constitution.

The Assembly has agreed to drop most of the 10 disputed amendments of the 65 passed by the two chambers.

One of the contentious amendments is payment of pensions for life for the President of the Senate, Deputy President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Deputy Speaker as well as principal officers of the legislature at the state level.

The National Assembly may forego the section on pensions because the economy cannot sustain it.

But as the two parties wound up the reconciliatory session, there were fresh hurdles on the new amendments, including how to pass these into law and assented to before May 29 when President Goodluck Jonathan will leave office.

There were two options on the card last night on how to address the challenges.

These are either the President signs the amendments into law after the grey areas have been removed by the National Assembly or the Executive will leave the National Assembly to invoke Section 58(5) of the 1999 Constitution to pass the amendments into law without Jonathan’s assent.

It was however learnt that the President was willing to take credit for passing the amendments into law.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the session of the two parties lasted for about two to three hours.

It was gathered that the meeting was “frank and reconciliatory” because the communication gap between the Executive and the Judiciary was bridged.

A source said: “The Federal Government team explained that it never harboured any agenda to frustrate constitution amendments in any manner whatsoever.

“The team said what it expected the National Assembly to do was to look at the observations of the Presidency and effect amendments to allow the President to sign the bill into law.

“The government team said the acceptance of 55 amendments out of 65 showed its commitment to the alteration of the constitution.

“At the end of the day, the National Assembly team accepted to effect the correction of some errors observed by the Presidency, including the right to free education, primary and maternal care services, which are made free; pensions for principal officers of the National and State Assemblies; allowing the NJC to appoint the Attorney-General of the Federation and a review of the 30 days allowed for assent to any bill by the President.”

A principal officer of the National Assembly said: “The Executive and the National Assembly leaders have had talks on areas of disagreement.

“I may not be able to give you the details because our legal representatives are working out the details of what we agreed upon.

“We hope to present these details to the Supreme Court on Wednesday. At the end, a fine-tuned copy of the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015 will be presented to the President.”

Another source said: “Our expectation is that the President should be able to sign the amendments into law. Alternatively, since the lifespan of the 7th National Assembly ends on June 6, we can still pass the amendments to the incoming President, Muhammadu Buhari, for assent.

“If things work according to plans, the President may assent to the amendments. This is the essence of the reconciliatory session.”

A Senator said: “I don’t see the possibility of the President assenting to the amendments before May 29 because of non-compliance with the threshold specified in Section 9(3) of the 1999 Constitution on amendments.”

The President listed some errors noticeable in the amendments to the Constitution by the Senate and the House of Representatives as follows:

•Non-compliance with the threshold specified in Section 9(3) of the 1999 Constitution on amendments;

•alteration to constitution cannot be valid with mere voice votes unless supported by the votes of not less than four-fifths majority all members of National Assembly and two-thirds of all the 36 State Houses of Assembly;

•right to free basic education and primary and maternal care services imposed on private institutions;

•flagrant violation of the doctrine of separation of powers;

•unjustified whittling down of the Executive powers of the Federation vested in the President by virtue of Section 5(1) of the 1999 Constitution;

•30 days allowed for assent of the President;

•limiting expenditure in default of appropriation from six months to three months;

•creation of the Office of Accountant-General of the Federation, distinct from the Accountant General of the Federal Government;

•empowering National Economic Council to appoint the Accountant-General of the Federation instead of the President;

•allowing NJC to now appoint the Attorney-General of the Federation rather than the President; and

•unwittingly whittling down the discretionary powers of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

May 27, 2015