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Tag: Jonathan

  • Jonathan seeks National Assembly’s understanding on suit

    Jonathan seeks National Assembly’s understanding on suit

    A day after he 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.

     Jonatthan’s position is contained in a letter by a former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Bayo Ojo (SAN), through whom incumbent 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 court.

     The letter, a copy of which The Nation obtained yesterday in Abuja, reads: “In view of this development and the dictates of the principles of the rule of law on which any democratic system thrives, we use this medium to 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 absolute 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 courts. 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 current National Assembly, that it will not do that.”

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

  • Sack fever grips Jonathan’s aides after Abba’s exit

    Sack fever grips Jonathan’s aides after Abba’s exit

    MORE heads may roll in the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, which is set to terminate on May 29, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    Police chief Suleiman Abba got the push on Tuesday  – an action that has  got many jittery.

    Crippled by the sack fever are presidential aides,heads of key public institutions and ministers. There is a presidential directive that they should not hobnob with All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, it was learnt.

    Government officials have been warned to desist from having any “unholy alliances” with the incoming President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari.

    A top presidential aide confirmed the existence of an official directive, warning all those involved in putting together the administration’s handover notes to be wary of any liaison with the incoming administration as such would be taken as an act of disloyalty to the Federal Government and the President.

    The popular thinking is that Abba’s removal could be the beginning of a gale of sackings and summary dismissals of top government officials seen to be scheming to work with the incoming leadership.

    The aide said: “We are all living in some kind of fear. I am not even sure if I will bow out with this administration on May 29, 2015. Apart from verbal warnings, there is also a memo to that effect, which clearly warns against any affiliation or unholy romance with either the leadership of the APC or its president-elect.

    “It does not matter whether some of these persons are personal friends or people you have business interests with. As long as you are seen with them while still working with this administration, it is seen as an act of sabotage. The President will not hesitate to sack any political appointee who flouts the order.

    “What the President demands at this critical period is 100 per cent loyalty. He expects all of us to bow out of the government with him, regardless of whether or not our professional competence would be required by the incoming government, at least before it stabilises.”

    The aide, who said he had submitted his handover notes to the appropriate authorities, believes that it is not impossible that many of them may be sacked in less than 40 days to the exit date of the Jonathan administration.

    Among such aides are those who are believed to have abandoned their jobs since President Jonathan lost the election.

    There are also those who are busy trying to change their duty posts to places where they consider “safe” from the incoming administration’s axe.

    A senior government official said last night that such drastic actions were not unexpected.

    “In fact, it started a long time ago, with the sack of Martin-Luther Agwai after he spoke about change at Obasanjo’s birthday lecture.”

    Agwai was head of SURE-P, a department created by the government to deploy saved fuel subsidy cash for the provision of infrastructure and jobs.

  • Jonathan asks Supreme Court to fault amendment to constitution

    Jonathan asks Supreme Court to fault amendment to constitution

    President Goodluck Jonathan has asked the Supreme Court to declare the last amendment to the Constitution – the fourth alteration – unconstitutional.

    Jonathan has refused to assent to the Alteration Bill sent to him by the National Assembly.

    In a suit filed on his behalf by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN), Jonathan contended that the purported Fourth Alteration Act 2015 was not passed with the mandatory requirement of four-fifths majority of members of the National Assembly (defendant) and the mandatory due processes provided for under the relevant sections of the extant Constitution, 1999 as amended.

    In an originating summon, the plaintiff asked the court to make an order nullifying and setting aside sections 3, 4, 12, 14, 21, 23, 36, 39, 40, 43 and 44 of the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015, purportedly passed by the defendant.

    The plaintiff also asked the court to determine two questions:

    *Whether the proposed amendment to the 1999 Constitution by the defendant through sections 3, 4, 12, 14, 21, 23, 36, 39, 40, 43 and 44  of the Constitution (Fourth Alteration) Act 2015, which purportedly altered sections 8, 9, 34, 35, 39, 42, 45, 58, 84, 150, 174 and 211 without compliance with the requirements of Section 9(3) is not unconstitutional, invalid, illegal, null and void; and

    *Whether in the absence of compliance by the defendant with the mandatory requirement of Section 9(3) in the passage of the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015, the defendant can competently exercise its powers under Section 58(5) to enable the purported Act to become Law.

    It prayed the court to hold that the proposed amendments  through sections 3, 4, 12, 14, 21, 23, 36, 39, 40, 43 and 44 of the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015, which purportedly altered sections 8, 9, 34, 35, 39, 42, 45, 58, 84, 150, 174 and 211  and passed by the defendant without complying with the mandatory requirement of sections 9(3) and (4) stipulating passage by at least four-fifths majority of members of each House specified in sections 48 and 49 is unconstitutional, invalid, illegal, null and void.

    He also asked the court to declare that in the absence of compliance by the defendant with the mandatory requirements of Section 9(3) of the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015, which purportedly altered sections 8, 9, 34, 35, 39, 42, 45, 58, 84, 150, 174 and 211, it is unconstitutional for the defendant to exercise its powers under Section 58(5) to enable the purported Act to become law.

    The plaintiff, in a supportive affidavit, stated that the purported Fourth Alteration Act 2015 was not passed with the mandatory requirement of four-fifths majority of members of the defendant and the mandatory due processes provided for under the relevant sections of the extant 1999 Constitution, as amended.

    The plaintiff stated that the defendant is making moves, with the consent of the Houses of Assembly to employ certain provisions to now pass the purported Fourth Alteration Act, 2015 into law.

    He stated that the said purported Fourth Alteration Act 2015 contains many proposed amendments inconsistent with the spirit of federalism, separation of powers and checks and balances, which constitute the hallmark of the constitution and democracy.

    The plaintiff contended that most of the provisions of the purported Fourth Alteration Act 2015 are contrary to public policy and good governance.

    He stated that it would be in the interest of justice to grant the reliefs sought in the suit.

  • Jonathan to handover May 29

    Jonathan to handover May 29

    The Minister of Information, Senator Patricia Akwashiki , on Wednesday maintained that May 29th is the date for the handover of governance from President Goodluck Jonathan to President-elect, Gen. Muhammudu Buhari.

    She made the clarification at the end of Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Jonathan.

    According to her, May 28th is just for the inaugural dinner.

    She said: “28th May is not the date for handover. 29th May is for handover and Democracy Day.”

    “The President is still the President till 29th May till when the President-elect will take over.”

    “28th May is just for inaugural dinner.”

    On the sack of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, by President Jonathan, she said that the President acted within his power to appoint and sack personnel.

     

  • Jonathan ran down economy for six years, says Oshiomhole

    •‘Current debts make previous liabilities small’

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has accused the Goodluck Jonathan administration of running down the nation’s economy and plunging the country into huge foreign debts.

    The governor spoke yesterday in Abuja when he visited the Dr. Aruba Wabba-led leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    He said the nation’s current debt profile has broken the records of previous foreign liabilities the Olusegun Obasanjo government got a debt cancellation.

    Oshiomhole, who is also a member of the National Economic Council (NEC), said: “This economy has been run down in the last six years and this country has over-borrowed. It has so over-borrowed that our current debt profile makes our previous situation a joke.

    “When you look at the current number, vis-a-viz the number we had before the debt cancellation, this huge debt burden at a time of declining oil revenue are likely to put pressure on the exchange rate.

    “When government faces serious deficit, the temptation to resort to ways and means will be strong. All that will affect the value of wages, which will put pressure on the working people to demand for more at a time of declining national revenue.”

    The governor urged labour leaders to unite and engage the incoming Muhammadu Buhari administration to ensure that the interests of the Nigerian worker form part of its policies.

    He said: “I can see a lot of social tension, going forward. The least you require is to have leaders being divided on petty issues. This is the time you need a united voice… Even my being in government cannot give you the comfort.

    “What will give workers the comfort is the existence of a powerful, well organised, articulate and focused labour movement. Even if I was the President of Nigeria, you would need a strong movement to help to draw the President’s attention to the lot of the majority, who are actually the voters.

    “I know that Nigerian workers are united by poverty at the moment. They are united by so much uncertainty, threats to jobs and unemployment. I am sure you are not carried away by those symbolic economic policies. You need to go beyond that and encourage the incoming government to revisit Nigeria industrial policy.”

    “We can’t celebrate success in agriculture and yet post huge import bill on food. There are many things you must do at this level. I know that you can help the next government to evolve policies that are pro poor, to put in place economic policies that will lead to job led growth.

    “There is a lot to be done than sit back and query over an election that has been lost and won. All those who love the Nigerian worker must stop the fight, egg back into NLC under the leadership and drive the change that NLC need and engage the incoming government to ensure that from day one, the interest of the Nigerian worker is reflected in policies that President Buhari is going to pursue”

    He told the new leadership of the congress that “the NLC has a task of rebuilding the movement because there is no doubt that you have lost a lot of mileage and a lot of goodwill in the eyes of ordinary Nigerians. Many believe that NLC went to sleet for almost eight years.

    “I ask you to rebuild the movement, you must continue to be the vehicle for conveying discontent,not only on wage questions, but also on questions of public policy choices that have to do with the management of our economy.

    “I have made the point over and over again that what determine the quality of a worker is not just the volume of his wages. If is the overall way in which the economy is managed, the provision of infrastructure, government social policies among others.

    “If you are detained by wage issues along, and unable to find your voice on critical micro economic issues,  wages can’t deliver on prosperity. Indeed, wages can be consumed by inflation and all kinds of forces”.

    While acknowledging the discontent about the elections that brought in the new leadership, he said “I am aware that there are some persons who are not happy by the outcome of the election. But that is the way democracy works. The only way to avoid defeat in a democracy is not to participate in an election in which you have more than one candidate.

    “Once you submit to an electoral process in which you have more than one candidate, it is obvious that only person would win. The beauty of the labour movement is that it doesn’t produce winners like the Nigeria political system. I can understand why politicians can parochial in their language and strategy.

    “We have a rich tradition of organising, mobilizing and contesting issues without recourse to ethnic and religious sentiments and NLC must uphold this tradition and build on it. It is a rich tradition which we must guide and protect.

    “Once a free and fair election has taken place, the outcome is binding on all democrats who participated. We can’t have have a tradition in which losers have to be massaged and persuaded to accept defeat. That will be offensive to the essence of labour unionism and the democratic principles.

    “As far as I am concerned there is no space to sit on the wall between the truth and the truth. I will stand by the truth anyway, anytime and it doesn’t matter the number that stand on the truth.

    “Let me declare that those complaining have all the qualities of being President, even of Nigeria, but it is just that at any one point in time, only one person will preside. I ask you to develop some additional capacity to embrace everyone, including those that undermine the election you clearly won. There are challenges in life which are meant to toughen us and not meant to weaken us.

    “I appreciate so much the contribution of the ASUU President who was the chairman of the committee and all of us old and not so old, veterans were all there to witnessed this process. I think that the outcome reflect the will of the Nigerian worker.

    “There is no honour that is greater than being selected by the productive forces of our great country, those who are responsible for the wealth of our nation.to be elected by the wealth creators of the country and not bugged down by the primordial sentiments of ethnicity and religion, the sort of thing that idol politicians still parade”.

     

     

     

     

     

  • ECOWAS, Biden hail Jonathan for statesmanship

    The Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Ghanaian President, John Mahama, yesterday praised President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat to the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

    He conveyed ECOWAS’s commendation while speaking with reporters after a  meeting with Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, his visit was to extend ECOWAS commendation and praise to Nigerians.

    He said: “If you recall before the elections, on behalf of ECOWAS, I gave a solidarity message to Nigerians to step up and consolidate your democracy by having peaceful, free and transparent elections.

    “And I believe that the world is congratulating you on the peace and stability that has continued to endure both before, during and after the elections.

    “I have been talking with President Jonathan on several issues in respect to ECOWAS.

    “We are due to have a summit and we discussed issues about the summit and a few outstanding issues relating to ECOWAS.

    “I also took the opportunity to praise him for the statesmanship that was displayed after the election.

    “I feel that was a very great sign of maturity and he has earned the respect of all Nigerians and the international community.

    “We expect a smooth transition and hail the role that Nigeria played in ECOWAS, being the biggest economy not only in our sub region but on the continent.”

    The Ghanaian President also praised the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega for successfully conducting free fair and credible elections.

    Mahama  hailed INEC’s role as an unbaised umpire.

    He  spoke during a visit to the INEC headquarters in Abuja

    United States Vice-President Joe Biden also praised Jonathan for his statesmanship.

    A statement by the U.S Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria said Biden spoke with Jonathan in a telephone conversation from Washington D.C.

    “Vice-President Joe Biden spoke today with President Goodluck Jonathan to commend him for his leadership in ensuring Nigeria’s recent elections were peaceful and orderly.

    “The vice president noted that President Jonathan’s actions to accept the results and congratulate President-elect Buhari has strengthened Nigeria’s democracy.’’

    The statement stated that Jonathan had, by his action, set a strong example for Africa and the world.

    “The vice president encouraged President Jonathan to remain engaged and play a leadership role in global issues after his presidency ends,’’ the statement added.

  • Biden calls Jonathan, hails president’s roles in polls’ success

    Biden calls Jonathan, hails president’s roles in polls’ success

    United States vice president, Mr. Joe Biden, on Tuesday spoke with President Goodluck Jonathan on telephone to commend him for his roles in the successful conduct of Nigeria’s general election.

    A statement issued by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S embassy in Abuja, said the American vice president noted that President Jonathan’s decision to accept results of the March 28 presidential election  and congratulate the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, as well as his steps to ensure a successful transition, have strengthened the country democracy and set a strong example for Africa and the world.

    He encouraged President Jonathan to continue playing leadership roles in global affairs after his exit from office on May 29.

    It would be recalled that the President had in a move that confounded even his hardest critics congratulated the President-elect before the Independent National Electoral Commission announced the winner of the election on March 31.

    The phone call that took place almost 10 hours before INEC officially declared Buhari the winner with a total of 15,424,921 votes against 12,853,162 for Jonathan doused tension that was gradually building up in many parts of the country.

    Although many had argued that it took the prompting of U.S President, Barack Obama and British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, who repeatedly called Jonathan to concede defeat, before the President eventually put a call across to his All Progressive Congress rival at exactly 5:15pm on March 31, that move catapulted the President from villain – the status he acquired because of his poor handling of national affairs to national hero.

    He has been described as the “real hero” of Nigeria’s democratic process, alongside the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega and few others.

  • Ouattara hails Jonathan for averting ‘Gbagbo experience’ in Nigeria

    Ouattara hails Jonathan for averting ‘Gbagbo experience’ in Nigeria

    President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire on Monday commended President Goodluck Jonathan for peacefully conceding defeat to his opponent, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, in the last presidential election.

    According to him, Jonathan’s action has saved Nigeria from civil war, a situation the Ivoirians experienced in 2010.

    He spoke with journalists after holding a closed-door meeting with President Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Although Ouattara maintained that he was on a private visit to Aso Rock, the Ivoirian said that he had to commend his host and Nigerians on the successful conduct of the 2015 general election.

    He said that Jonathan’s decision to quickly concede defeat and avoid bloodshed is a legacy for Nigeria and Africa, and a model to West Africa.

    Recalling a similar situation in his home country when his predecessor refused to concede defeat to him after the presidential election, he said that the action resulted in a four-month civil war that killed 3,000 persons before he finally assumed office in April 2011.

    Jonathan was Nigeria’s Acting President five years ago when he mobilised other West African leaders to forcefully oust Ouattara’s predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo, who had refused to relinquish power after losing the presidential election.

    Ouattara said that Jonathan’s historic gesture saved the country and West Africa of such chaos and tragedy, which should serve as a lesson to African leaders.

    Expressing his admiration for Jonathan, the Ivoirian President stressed that his support and friendship towards him and Cote d’Ivoire remained appreciated.

    He said: “I came here on a visit to see my friend and brother and to congratulate the Nigerian people on the conduct of the presidential election.

    “On May 29, there is going to be inauguration and hand over to the President-elect, President Buhari.

    “So, I wanted to tell you our appreciation over the leadership we have received from you during these years.

    “You know that about five years ago, Cote d’Ivoire had elections and I won the election and the former president decided not to leave office. This brought the civil war and 3,000 people were killed.

    “We were put in a hotel for protection by the United Nations for four and a half months. We were there without food because the hotel was guarded by the president’s men.

    “It was only after four and a half months of imprisonment in that hotel that finally we were able to leave the hotel; after the former president quit and finally left office for me.

    “I am saying this to stress that what happened in Nigeria is a lesson to all of us. Please accept my admiration.

    “I think that avoiding violence, avoiding civil war when we have elections in Africa should be our utmost objective.

    “People are more important than power and Mr. President, my good friend, I am not surprised about what you did and I wanted to congratulate you, congratulate the Nigerian people, and congratulate the President-elect.”

  • Jonathan mourns Chukwumerije

    Jonathan mourns Chukwumerije

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday extended condolences to the family of late Senator Uche Chukwumerije and government and people of Abia state over the death of the Senator in Abuja on Sunday.

    Jonathan, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, also commiserated with the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria over the death of Senator Chukwumerije.

    Noting that he was an ardent believer in national unity, peace, political stability and progress, the President joined them in mourning the late Senator who left behind an impressive legacy of discipline, honesty, integrity and hard work in public service.

    The President believed that the late Chukwumerije, who had a distinguished career as a journalist, social critic, Minister of Information and Senator, will  be long remembered for his dedication and passion for a just and equitable society.

    “As the nation mourns him, the President urges Senator Chukwumerije’s family, friends and associates to honour his memory by continually upholding the values and principles which he lived for and never stopped fighting for till his death,” the statement said.

    The President also prayed that Almighty God will comfort all who mourn him and grant the deceased’s soul perfect peace.

     

  • Convene meeting to tackle constitutional amendment, Falana tells Jonathan

    Convene meeting to tackle constitutional amendment, Falana tells Jonathan

    Lagos-based lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has advised President Goodluck Jonathan to convene an urgent meeting of stakeholders with a view to removing the controversial clauses from the proposed constitutional amendment.

    He said once that is done, the National Assembly should pass the bill and send it back to the president for his assent.

    “Instead of throwing out the baby with the bath- water, the provisions of the fourth amendment to the Constitution should be supported to the extent that it has recognised the right of the Nigerian people to enforce their socio-economic rights enshrined in chapter two of the Constitution”, he said in a statement in Lagos yesterday titled: “Diversionary controversy on constitutional amendment”.

    Falana noted that in 2006, 108 amendments of the Constitution were thrown away with the third term agenda of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    He warned: “If care is not taken, the over 70 proposed amendments by the legislators may suffer the same fate.

    “Therefore, President Jonathan should be advised to convene an urgent meeting of all the stakeholders with a view to removing the controversial clauses from the proposed amendment. Once that is done, the National Assembly should pass the bill and send it back to the President for his assent.”

    The erudite lawyer noted that in rejecting the proposed amendment that every child be entitled to free education,  the president said there was no dichotomy between public and private schools.

    He emphasised the need to draw the attention of the President to section 15 of the Child’s Rights Act, 2003 and section 2 of the Compulsory, Universal, Free Basic Education Act, 2004 which have made education free and compulsory from primary to junior secondary school for every Nigerian child.                                                               “Before rejecting the amendment on the right to basic healthcare, the president ought to have been reminded that the National Health Bill 2014, signed into law by him in November last year has directed the Federal Government to fund basic healthcare with not less than one per cent of the consolidated revenue of the Federal Government. Since the amendment has merely enshrined the right to basic education and basic healthcare in the constitution, the President ought to have signed that aspect of the proposed amendments in the interest of the poor and vulnerable segment of the country.

    “Since the President rejected the amendments based on the erroneous belief that the requisite constitutional requirement was not met, he ought to withdraw the letter addressed to the National Assembly and review his position on the constitutional amendment,” he said.

    He recalled that President Jonathan during the presidential campaign promised to implement the recommendations of the 2014 national conference.                           “In fact, the Federal Executive Council has since passed a resolution for the immediate implementation of the resolutions of the confab. One of the most important recommendations is that chapter two of the Constitution on the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy be made justiciable. Since that recommendation and a few others are in tandem with the proposed amendment of the constitution, President Jonathan ought to have endorsed the relevant provision.

    “To the utter embarrassment of the members of the National Assembly, President Jonathan decided to withhold his assent to 4th amendment to the Constitution. In his comprehensive letter addressed to both chambers of the National Assembly last week, the outgoing President challenged the procedure and the substance of the proposed alteration of the constitution.

    “Having regard to the enormous resources invested in the constitutional review, the President ought to have convened a meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly with a view to ironing out the grey areas. No doubt, the National Assembly members have themselves to blame for engaging in the instalmental  amendments of a Constitution imposed on the Nigerian people by military dictators.

     “In view of the clear provisions of the Constitution on separation of powers, the National Assembly acted illegally and unconstitutionally when it conferred the National Economic Council, an advisory body, with the power to appoint the Accountant-General of the Federal Government. As if that was not enough, the National Assembly wants the National Judicial Council (NJC) to appoint the Attorney-General of the Federal Government.

    “The legislators ought to have known that the NJC is only empowered to recommend to the appointing authorities (President and state governors) suitable persons for appointment as judges and recommend their removal from the bench.

    “Having taken away the powers of the President, the National Assembly decided to increase its own powers. As far as the legislators are concerned, an amendment of the Constitution will no longer require the assent of the President. Such self-serving amendments were rightly rejected by the president”.

     He said, however, that the president made a mistake on the procedure for altering the provisions of the Constitution.

    Notwithstanding the approach adopted by the president in rejecting the proposed alteration, Falana urged the members of the National Assembly to refrain from exhibiting arrogance of power in the circumstance.

    “The letter calls for a sober examination of the reasons adduced by the president for rejecting the controversial amendments. More so, that some of the amendments are patently illegal and unconstitutional. For instance, one of the most objectionable propositions in the 4th amendment, which was not even captured in the President’s letter is the provision of the scandalous pension for life for former leaders of the National Assembly,” the lawyer said.