The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Jonathan

  • I’m ready for probe after tenure, says Jonathan

    I’m ready for probe after tenure, says Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said he would be ready after leaving office for any probe of his administration’s activities.

    President-elect Muhammadu Buhari plans to revisit the $20b “missing” oil money when he gets into office.

    Besides, All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesman Lai Mohammed has alleged massive looting by government officials.

    But, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President said he is not afraid of any investigation after leaving office.

    He noted that investigations will not be out of place since Jonathan’s Administration also reviewed the actions of previous governments on assumption of office.

    He said: “As Alhaji Mohammed threatened in his statement, the incoming administration will be perfectly within its rights to review all actions of the present government as it may deem fit.

    “We see nothing wrong with that. After all, the present Administration reviewed the actions of previous governments on assumption of office with resultant benefits for policy and project implementation.”

    Abati added that President Jonathan ordered the immediate release of the report of PriceWaterCooper’s investigations into the alleged unremitted $20 billion to the Federation account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    He said: “President Jonathan is also deeply concerned by the continuing suggestions that his administration still has anything to hide about the unproven allegation that about $20billion is unaccounted for by the NNPC during his tenure.

    “To lay the matter to rest, President Jonathan in line with Section 7(2) of the NNPC Act, has directed that the full report of the PWC Forensic Audit of the NNPC accounts be released immediately to the public so that all Nigerians will be properly informed on the matter.”

    Denying the allegations by Mohammed, Abati said: “We have noted with concern the allegation by the spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that officials of the Federal Government are engaged in “last minute looting of the nation’s resources, rushed privatisation of key institutions and hurried recruitment into the public service”.

    “We also consider as most unfortunate and uncharitable, the suggestion by Alhaji Mohammed that the Jonathan Administration is trying to ‘tie the hands’ of the incoming government merely by continuing to discharge its constitutional responsibilities until the end of its tenure.”

    “The Jonathan Administration which continues to do its best to ensure a smooth and peaceful handover of power to the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, deeply regrets the unfairness and combative frame of mind reflected in Alhaji Mohammed’s statement.”

    According to him, President Jonathan has done his best in the past five years to discharge his constitutional responsibilities for good governance and effective leadership of the nation.

    Abati said: “Without any prejudice whatsoever to the freedom of the incoming administration to do as it pleases, within the confines of extant laws when it assumes office, the Jonathan Administration will continue to discharge its responsibility to govern until May 29, 2015.

    “In continuing to fulfil the obligations of his office however, President Jonathan has not, and will never condone any form of unscrupulous conduct on the part of state officials.”

    He maintained that President Jonathan will never authorise any attempt to create any problems for the incoming administration, stressing that the outcome of the March 28 presidential elections does not imply a cessation of governance.

  • Constitution: Jonathan files fresh application in Supreme Court

    Constitution: Jonathan files fresh application in Supreme Court

    … Asks court to restrain NASS on amendment

    President Goodluck Jonathan has intensified his effort to prevent the National Assembly from overriding his veto on the amendment of the Constitution.

    The President, through the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has applied to the Supreme Court for an injunction restraining the lawmakers from acting on the amendment – the Fourth Alteration Act 2015 – pending the determination of an earlier suit he filed, urging the court to declare the amendment unconstitutional.

    The President in the substantive suit (also filed by the AGF), argued that  the purported Fourth Alteration Act 2015 was not passed with the mandatory requirement of four-fifth majority of members of the National Assembly and the mandatory due processes provided for under the relevant sections of the Constitution.

    Part of the President’s prayers in the main suit is that the Supreme Court nullifies and sets aside sections 3, 4, 12, 14, 21, 23, 36, 39, 40, 43 and 44 of the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015 purportedly passed by the National Assembly.

    In the fresh application for interlocutory injunction, the President urged the apex court to restrain the lawmakers from carrying through their threat to override his veto, even with the pendency of the substantive suit.

    Among the grounds on which the applicant hinged the application was that the National Assembly was determined to proceed with passing the constitution by overriding the veto of same despite the fundamental nature of the issues raised against it.

    No date has been fixed for hearing in the case.

  • Jonathan sacks NHIS Executive Secretary

    Jonathan sacks NHIS Executive Secretary

    President Goodluck Jonathan has sacked the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr. Femi Thomas.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President has approved the appointment of Mr. Olufemi A. Akingbade as Acting Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the NHIS.

    No reason was given in the statement for Thomas’ removal.

    “Akingbade, who hails from Ekiti State and holds a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science as well as a Masters in Business Administration, was the General Manager, ICT in the NHIS until his new appointment,” it added

    The statement also said Jonathan has approved the confirmation of Mounir Haliru Gwarzo as Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

    “ Gwarzo who has been acting as director-general of the commission, was appointed as Executive Commissioner in January 2013,” the statement said.

    On the appointment of the former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, he said: “The President has also approved the appointment of the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, as chairman of the SEC.”

     

  • FG names Abuja streets after Jonathan, Sambo, Atiku, 185 others

    FG names Abuja streets after Jonathan, Sambo, Atiku, 185 others

    The Federal Government has honoured eminent Nigerians and other accomplished Africans by naming major streets in Asokoro Extension, Guzape, Wupa, Wuye and Maitama Extension districts as well as expressways and roads after them.

    The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, who disclosed this during the FCT Executive Committee meeting held at his Life Camp, Gwarinpa official Residence, on Monday, reeled out the names of the honorees as President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President, late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, former Speaker of House of Representatives and Katsina State Governor-elect, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Dahiru Musdapha, Business moguls, Femi Otedola, Aliko Dangote and several others.

    The soon-to-be commissioned Inner Southern Expressway which dissects Abuja city centre was named after President Jonathan while the longest Wuye district boulevard express road measuring 1,730 metres was named after Abubakar.

    Another major road in the same district was named after Sambo.

    According to a statement issued by the Special Assistant  on Media to the Minister, Nosike Ogbuenyi, other prominent personalities also honoured by naming streets after them in Asokoro extension district extension include former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Anan, South African anti-Apartheid activist, late Walter Sisulu, former President of Sudan, Gaafar al-Nimeiry, former Minister of State for FCT, late Prof. Miriam Ikejiani-Clark, former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi and 16 others.

    Those having roads and streets named after them in Guzape district include former FCT Minister and Governor-elect of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, former Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Adewusi, former Science and Technology Minister, Major-Gen. Sam Momah, former Special Duties Minister, late Alhaji Wada Nas, former Attorney General of the Federation, late Mr. Clement Akpamgbo, incumbent FCT Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed and 60 others.

    The statement reads in part: “Some Nigerians who had distinguished themselves in various sporting activities were also among those honoured with Abuja streets named after them. They include first Nigerian single Olympic gold medalist, Chioma Ajunwa, first Nigerian footballer to have scored in FIFA senior World Cup, late Rashidi Yekini, former world wrestling champion, late Power Mike Okpala, first Nigerian to win World Boxing title, Dick Tiger Ihetu and the youngest Nigerian to play at the African Cup of Nations, Mr. Daniel Amokachi. They all had streets named after them in Wupa district.

     

  • Jonathan orders release of forensic report on NNPC

    Jonathan orders release of forensic report on NNPC

    …  I’m ready for probe – President

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday ordered the immediate release of the full report of PriceWater Cooper’s investigations into the allegedly unremitted $20 billion to the Federation account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    The President also said he is ready for any probe of activities under his watch when he leaves office on May 29.

    The President -elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, had on Sunday maintained that he will revisit the allegedly missing $20billion oil money when he gets into office.

    But a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the President has ordered the full release of PWC audit into the corporation’s account.

    He said, “To lay the matter to rest, President Jonathan in line with Section 7(2) of the NNPC Act, has directed that the full report of the PWC Forensic Audit of the NNPC accounts be released immediately to the public so that all Nigerians will be properly informed on the matter.

    “President Jonathan is also deeply concerned by the continuing suggestions that his administration still has something to hide about the unproven allegation that about $20 billion is unaccounted for by the NNPC during his tenure.”

    The spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had also claimed that there was ongoing massive looting by the out-going government.

    The President, according to the statement, has said he is not afraid of any investigation after leaving office.

    He noted that investigations will not be out of place since Jonathan’s administration also reviewed the actions of previous governments on assumption of office.

    He said: “As Alhaji Mohammed threatened in his statement, the incoming administration will be perfectly within its rights to review all actions of the present government as it may deem fit.

    “We see nothing wrong with that. After all, the present administration reviewed the actions of previous governments on assumption of office with resultant benefits for policy and project implementation.”

    Denying the allegations by Mohammed, he said: “We have noted with concern, the allegation by the spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that officials of the Federal Government are engaged in “last minute looting of the nation’s resources, rushed privatization of key institutions and hurried recruitment into the public service.

    “We also consider as most unfortunate and uncharitable, the suggestion by Alhaji Mohammed that the Jonathan administration is trying to “tie the hands” of the incoming government merely by continuing to discharge its constitutional responsibilities until the end of its tenure.

    “The Jonathan administration which continues to do its best to ensure a smooth and peaceful handover over of power to the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, deeply regrets the unfairness and combative frame of mind reflected in Alhaji Mohammed’s statement.”

    According to him, President Jonathan has done his best in the past five years to discharge his constitutional responsibilities for good governance and effective leadership of the nation.

    “Without any prejudice whatsoever to the freedom of the incoming administration to do as it pleases, within the confines of extant laws when it assumes office, the Jonathan administration will continue to discharge its responsibility to govern until May 29, 2015.”

    “In continuing to fulfil the obligations of his office however, President Jonathan has not, and will never condone any form of unscrupulous conduct on the part of state officials,” he added.

    He maintained that President Jonathan will never authorise any attempt to create any problems for the incoming administration, stressing that the outcome of the March 28 presidential election does not imply a cessation of governance.

  • Jonathan sacks NHIS Secretary, names Obi SEC Chair

    Jonathan sacks NHIS Secretary, names Obi SEC Chair

    President Goodluck Jonathan has relieved the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr. Femi Thomas of his appointment.

    According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President has approved the appointment of Mr. Olufemi Akingbade as Acting Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the NHIS.

    No reason was given in the statement for the removal of Thomas from office by the administration.

    “Mr. Akingbade who hails from Ekiti State and holds a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science as well as a Masters in Business Administration was the General Manager, ICT in the NHIS until his new appointment.” it added

    The statement also said that President Jonathan has approved the confirmation of Mr. Mounir Haliru Gwarzo as Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    “Mr. Gwarzo who has been acting as Director-General of the Commission, was appointed to the Board of the Securities and Exchange Commission as Executive Commissioner in January, 2013.” he said

    On the appointment of the former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, he said: “The President has also approved the appointment of the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.”

  • Jonathan: I’m still working

    Jonathan: I’m still working

    President Jonathan is still working and will continue to work till the last day of his administration, his spokesman, Reuben Abati, has said.

    Abati, on his Facebook page yesterday, said it was incorrect to claim that the government machinery had stopped working since Jonathan lost to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said evidence that Jonathan was still working was the Second Niger Bridge, which is currently under construction, ongoing work on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Abuja-Kaduna Railways, among others.

     ”Our projects have not been deserted as some reports give.

    “From Lagos-Ibadan Road to Abuja-Kaduna Railways and Kashimbilla Dam, which are set for commissioning, we are still working for you.

    “President Jonathan prays for the incoming administration led by Gen. Buhari to achieve even as we hope that this transformation continues.

    “We thank you for letting us serve you,” he said.

  • I’m ready to step into Gowon’s, Shonekan’s shoes, says Jonathan

    I’m ready to step into Gowon’s, Shonekan’s shoes, says Jonathan

    •Says no development without sacrifice

    President Goodluck Jonathan is keen on playing the role of a statesman once his tenure is over on May 29.

    He said yesterday in Abuja that he is already warming up to join the likes of former military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Head of the defunct Interim National Government (ING),Chief  Ernest Shonekan, in serving the country and the international community in whatever capacity  he is assigned.

    Jonathan who spoke during the fifth Presidential Prayer Breakfast at the State House, Abuja, also harped on the need for sacrifice at the different levels of governance with a view to turning around the nation’s fortune.

    He said: “I will continue to do my best as I’m gradually joining Gowon and Shonekan to serve our country in different capacities.

    “For the eight years I have been here as vice president and president, whenever we called upon them wherever they were in this world, they would try to come. I have seen that they are extremely patriotic and they believe in this country.”

    Nigeria, according to him, would achieve its potential easily if all leaders could show that level of commitment and patriotism.

    He added: “Everything about human life as an individual, a child, if you don’t make the required sacrifice you can’t get to where you want to go.

    “If you don’t sacrifice your pleasure, of course you will know where you’ll end. As parents we know the kind of sacrifice we make for our children to go to school, to feed.

    “To build a family you need sacrifice. So for those who have the privilege of leading at local, state and national, at all times we should be ready to make sacrifice for our nation to grow.

    “Ministers must make the required sacrifice, our lawmakers because they look at all our laws, they can create crisis in the country if they are not ready to do things the right way.

    “So all of us in leadership position must be ready to make sacrifice and with our prayers and with our commitment Nigeria will surely get to where it wants to go.”

    He said Nigerians must not stop praying for the country to overcome its challenges.

    “At times, you are forced to think that the nation is ending. Definitely this country will overcome these challenges. That is the reason for this prayer. Just like prayer helped Nehemiah to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, our constant prayers will help us rebuild this nation,” he said.

    He thanked God for giving him the privilege to serve Nigeria as deputy governor, governor, vice president and president for over 16 years.

    “That is a reasonable length of time and so I have to thank God, first because if God did not will it, it won’t have happened,” he said.

    In a short exhortation entitled ‘Destiny and Decision’, Pastor Paul Enenche maintained that the choices we make in life determine our destiny.

    Quoting Joshua 24:15, he said that Adam, Esau, Samson and Ruth in the Holy Bible had to make choices that affected their lives.

    Also speaking, the Aso Villa Chaplain, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba, described the session as the last presidential prayer breakfast under President Jonathan and that the country owes God immense gratitude for averting bloodshed during the last elections.

    He said:”We are aware of the fears in the land before, during and after the general elections, but the President’s decision has ensured peace.

    “There were predictions that either the president or his wife would die in office. But we thank God they will walk out of office alive.”

    At the service were Gen. Gowon who read a passage from Philippians 2: 1-11, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, Chief of Staff to the President, Gen. Jones Arogbofa (rtd) and members of the diplomatic corps.

  • Jonathan, Buhari meet at Aso Rock

    Jonathan, Buhari meet at Aso Rock

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday met for about 40 minutes with the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, behind closed-doors at the new Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    Buhari arrived the Presidential Villa at 3.00pm in an entourage comprising six black range rover and land cruiser jeeps.

    Those that accompanied Buhari to the Presidential Villa include the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), John Oyegun and Abdulraman Dambazzau.

    At the end of the meeting, Jonathan did not allow Buhari to answer journalists’ questions as he promised that there would be another opportunity for the President-elect to speak when he comes back to the Villa to familiarize himself with the State House environment.

    Jonathan said:  “We will take a date when the President- elect will come and I will show him round the State House but today is not for that. Today is to continue with our conversation. So we don’t need to worry the President- elect, we don’t need to worry him.”

    On how fruitful the meeting was, he said: “You can see that we are smiling, it was a fruitful one.”

    Asked further what they discussed, Jonathan said: “We are discussing for the interest of the country.”

    When journalists pushed further to get Buhari’s comment on the meeting,, he said: “The President said it all.”

  • Constitution Amendment: Jonathan asks lawmakers to await Supreme Court ruling

    Constitution Amendment: Jonathan asks lawmakers to await Supreme Court ruling

    A day after h asked the Supreme Court to declare unconstitutional the Fourth Alteration to the Constitution, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday reached out to the National Assembly, urging it to await the outcome of his case before the apex court.

    Jonathan’s position is contained in a letter, by a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Bayo Ojo (SAN), through whom the AGF, Mohammed Adoke, (SAN) filed the case for Jonathan.

    Ojo, in the April 22 letter, written on behalf of the Federal Government, asked the Senate President to allow the Supreme Court to determine the issues raised in the suit before the Supreme Court.

    The letter, a copy of which The Nation obtained yesterday, reads: “In view of this development and the dictates of the principles of the rule of law on which any democratic system thrives, we urge that the Supreme Court be allowed to determine the suit under reference before any further step is taken by the National Assembly on the move to pass the Fourth Alteration Act, alluded to earlier in this correspondence, into law.

    “May we add that adopting such attitude will not only commendably be in line with the decisions of the Supreme Court on the need to avoid self-help by all persons and authorities in resolving disputes, but will also yield to the rule of law as espoused in the decisions of the court. One of such decisions is the case of Ojukwu v. Military Governor of Lagos State (1986) 1 NWLR (pt. 18) 621.

    “To proceed with the process of passage into law of the Fourth Alteration Act 2015 despite the pendency of this suit under reference will be an affront to the rule of law and democracy. We are convinced, particularly from the commendable record so far of the National Assembly that it will not do that. “

    In the suit, the Federal Government is asking the court to nullify the amendments proposed by the National Assembly on the grounds that, among others, the amendments violated the constitution being proposed to be amended.

    In the suit, the plaintiff claims for determination of two questions on the constitutionality or otherwise of the procedure adopted by the National Assembly in passing the Constitution (Fourth Alteration) Act 2015, particularly as it relates to sections 3, 4, 12, 14, 21, 23, 36, 39, 40, 43 and 44 purporting to alter sections 8, 9, 34, 35, 39, 40, 42, 45, 58, 84, 150, 174 and 211 of the extant  1999 Constitution  and for an order nullifying and setting aside those sections of the Fourth Alteration Act.

    The Federal Government also asked the Senate President to draw the attention of the House of Representatives to the pending suit.