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  • Jonathan, Sambo, Buhari, others mourn as Douglas dies at 49

    Jonathan, Sambo, Buhari, others mourn as Douglas dies at 49

    THE Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Research, Documentation and Strategy, Mr. Oronto Douglas, is dead.

    Douglas, who hailed from Okoroba in Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, died at the State House Clinic at 5 am yesterday after a battle with cancer.

    The late presidential adviser had, on several occasions, received medical attention in the United States (U.S.) for the ailment.

    Born in 1966, Douglas stood out as one of Dr. Jonathan’s most brilliant and influential aides.

    He was known for documenting the President’s achievements, legacies, coordinating media and campaign strategies for the Presidency.

    Douglas was a leading human rights attorney and served as one of the defence lawyers to the late Ogoni leader, Ken Saro Wiwa, who was executed under Gen. Sani Abacha’s regime, in 1995.

    He was the first activist to present the Niger Delta’s struggle to U.S. President Bill Clinton.

    The late environmentalist was a fellow of the George Bell Institute (England) and the International Forum on Globalisation (USA).

    President Jonathan has expressed deep sadness on the death of aide.

    Besides the official condolence statement, Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo visited the family of the late Douglas in Abuja.

    They met briefly with the family before signing the condolence register.

    Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Board John Kennedy-Opara prayed for the family during the visit.

    Jonathan said he had never seen anybody with a strong will like Douglas.

    He said he was with the late aide last Saturday, and although Douglas knew he was going to die, he was still passionate about his work.

    The President said: “Myself and Douglas are from the same local government in Bayelsa State. I knew him first when I was doing my PhD research work; he was an environmental activist. I was doing some aspects of the Ecology of the Niger Delta, and my supervisor then, a Canadian, Prof. Powell, knew him. We met in his house.

    “But when I came into politics as a deputy governor, he was the commissioner for Information, and we were close. When I became the vice president, he came with me as my adviser on research, documentation and strategy – a post he held until this morning.”

     “He was a dedicated young man; very committed. I was here last Saturday, even though he knew because the doctors told him in America he was going to die in three weeks, he was still passionate about his work.

    “I have never seen a person with such a strong will. Oronto was a good man. He left us too early, but God knows the best. I only pray that God should provide for the family and pray that his soul should rest in peace.”

    On his part, Sambo said: “This is a sad day for us. We have lost a good friend, a brother and a patriotic Nigerian. He was a person of integrity and we pray to Almighty God that his soul shall rest in perfect peace.

    “We pray that the family he left behind will have the fortitude to bear this great loss. Nigeria has lost a good man and a person that had contributed positively to the country’s development.”

    The President-elect, . Muhammadu Buhari, has condoled with Jonathan on the demise of his aide.

    Buhari, in a condolence letter to the President, said: “I received the news of the death of your long-standing and key aide, Oronto Douglas, with sadness.

    “I appreciate how close he had worked with you and consider him (Oronto) a young and dynamic individual, who still has a lot to offer our country as we build on our democracy. I urge you, Mr. President, to take heart and to convey my condolences to his family as we pray for the repose of his humble soul.”

    The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Godknows Igali, said the late Douglas was a great environmental rights activist and thinker, who was well-appreciated globally.

    “It’s a great loss. But his work is going to endure for generations unborn. Beyond Nigeria, Oronto is respected all over the world,” he said.

    Younger brother to the deceased Mr. Otonye Douglas said the death was a great loss to the family and Bayelsa State.

    He said his brother’s burial arrangement would be announced later.

    Also yesterday, the President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, extended heartfelt condolences to the Douglas family and the government and people of Bayelsa State.

    He noted that Douglas served his country, state and the Niger Delta region, passionately and diligently, during his years on earth.

  • ‘Jonathan lost because of PDP’s arrogance’

    ‘Jonathan lost because of PDP’s arrogance’

    Dr. Steve Egbo is the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship running mate in Ebonyi State. In this interview with OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE, he says the party must avoid the mistakes of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to remain popular.

    Why did the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lose to the APC?

    At a point in time, after uninterrupted control of power at the centre, the PDP became over bloated; it became arrogant and pompous. They had no respect, no regard for anybody. Such things were not supposed to obtain in the society at this age. The PDP was the architect of its own downfall. The PDP lost all focus and every form of integrity. So, I really don’t wish to sing ‘Nunc Dimitis’ for the PDP, but what has become has inevitably come to become. They saw it coming, but it was too late. In life certain situations when they occur are not reversible. When a bullet leaves the barrel of the gun, you cannot recall it. It has become a self-propelled magnet and it must find a spot to rest. The collapse of the PDP was like a bullet that has left the barrel of the gun and no magic, no miracle or voodoo could have stopped it from self destruction. Let me hope that the election of March 28 will be a lesson not only for the remnants of the PDP, but for other ruling parties across Africa. I also want to say that the APC must also have something to learn from what happened to the PDP, so that it does no fall into the same trap of delusional invincibility. I know that sooner or later, some of these hawks in the PDP would like to come into the APC and do to the APC what they have done to the PDP. Indeed, if the information available to us so far is correct, their applications are already piling up. So, those of us who laboured to create the APC must be careful to know that we have a contract with the Nigerian people and that contract must at all times be kept with care, tenderness and attention to details. The APC has a job to do and every hand must be on deck to accomplish that job.

    PDP members who purportedly won the National Assembly elections are planning to join the APC for the fear of losing their elections at the tribunals. What are your comments?

    As far as am concerned, there was no election in Ebonyi State on March 28 and our investigations reveal that it was a similar scenario across the entire Southeast and Southsouth. I stand boldly to say that what happened in the state and across the entire former Eastern Region was a grand plan, a well articulated plot to scuttle democracy in the Southeast and the Southsouth, in order create a situation that gives massive victory to the PDP. What we had was allocation of votes. There was no way Muhammdu Buhari could not have attained 25 per cent in most of the Southeast and Southsouth states, especially in Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia, Anambra, Rivers, Delta, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States. It was an absurdity for anybody to imagine that Buhari could not gain 25 per cent in these states. In fact, the case of Imo State is an embarrassment to everybody. A state that is controlled by a very capable APC governor cannot give APC 25 per cent? The so-called PDP winners should be jittery because the victory they had was stolen. Some of them are not even receiving congratulatory messages because they are afraid of what will happen the day after. APC has a strong foundation and believes in legitimacy and the rule of law. I wouldn’t want to preempt anything, but believe that the courts would be busy in the next few months and would determine who won and who lost. Can you imagine a situation where the APC cannot have a National Assembly member in Ebonyi and some other parts of Ibo land. It is a situation that does not portend well for Ibos because our so-called Ibo leaders have taken us to the depth of the abyss. I believe that the March 28 election was not a reflection of the wishes of the Ibo people. Rather, it was that of those who felt they can mortgage us to achieve their personal interests of greed and avarice. They sold us and have pocketed millions of naira and dollars. But, as I said earlier, there is always the day after and as we walk steadily towards that day. Many people would have a lot of questions to answer.

    What stunned the people was the alleged involvement of the military in the election rigging. What is your reaction?

    Let me say this, in the nation’s history from 1964 after Nigerian first independence elections, the military has always operated as the terrorist wing of the party in power. I want to underline this. It happened in 1964 when the military institution was unscrupulously deployed to do the dirty work of the ruling NPC. In 1983, it was the same show of shame replicated. It has been so since 1999. I believe that with the recent exposure of the military underbelly, there is bound to be a change. When you talk about fear being expressed on the elections of April 11, let me tell you the scenario. What we saw on March 28 will not repeat itself because some people are already looking behind their backs. Already asking; can I do this again? Can I get away with the ones I have done? Is it still the same old story? Can it still be business as usual. The role of the military in the march.28 elections was more orchestrated in the south east and south-south parts of the country and maybe reasonably Ekiti state. But I am happy that despite all they have at their disposal, they were not able to defeat the will of the Nigerian people. I salute the Nigerian people for the courage they have shown. The election of March 28 was Nigeria’s revolution. It was a very quiet revolution. Their ballots have created a new nation. I make bold to say that March 28 is Nigeria’s independence day. If you ask me I will say lets relocate from October 1 to March 28; it was the day Nigeria for the first time in 55 years, gained its independence and freedom. The PDP placed on the head of every Nigerian, a crown of thorns and went a step further to crucify us all on the cross of red-hot iron. We can now say no more crown of thorns and no more crucifixion. I am happy for the country and every citizen that made sacrifices to get us to this beautiful Easter period.

  • Jonathan was unfair to his people, says ex-militant leader Akpodoro

    Jonathan was unfair to his people, says ex-militant leader Akpodoro

    The National President, National Coalition of Ex-Agitators ( NCE-A) and National Vice President, Phase 2 and 3, Amnesty Programme of the Federal Government,  Israel Akpodoro, speaks on issues affecting the region.

    You have sustained criticisms of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, who supposedly is your regional brother. Why is it so?

    My position, which of course is the position of the NCE-A, is actually that of patriotism irrespective of whose ox is gored. Patriotism to the Nigerian state and the people of Nigeria is uppermost in our mind as a group and being the President, it is my place to project such nationalistic position. Prior to the struggle for a better and prosperous Niger Delta region, there was unrivalled cohesion and brotherhood in the region. All the nationalities in the region lost their youths for our voice as people to be heard.

    As God will have it, today we have produced the president who is of Ijaw extraction and has ruled for six years. Unfortunately, he would have been the luckiest president in the history of Nigeria following the enormous wealth available to his administration but for greed occasioned by massive corruption, nepotism, clannishness and tribal hate, he lost it all standing taller among those who plundered the commonwealth of the Nigerian people. He thrust the Ijaw nation above every other ethnic nationalities in the region creating enemies where none existed. President Jonathan destroyed the bond of brotherhood that hitherto existed in our region, this is why we as a group choose to go it our own way as against what they expected us to do.

     

    What is your assessment of the amnesty programme under the outgoing administration and how do you think the incoming administration can better manage the programme?

     

    The amnesty programme was a brain child of the late President Umar Yar’Adua, starting with the Phase 1. Phase 1 was designed to succeed as militants from all the ethnic nationalities were included but unfortunately after his death, a President who doesn’t see the region beyond his tribe hijacked it for his people alone. He established Phase 2 and 3, of the programme, which ordinarily was to correct the errors, if any of Phase 1, but rather than achieve success those two phases became tools for marginalisation and intimidation of other tribes in the region. They sent ex-militants of the president’s kinsmen overseas for training in the name of the region while ex-militants from other tribes remain idle in abject poverty. All the surveillance contracts were awarded to Ijaw ex-militants in the region leaving the rest nationalities in subservience and as labourers to those who see themselves as superior tribes in our region. So, all of these culminated into the unpopularity of President Jonathan. We refused to be sycophantic about our grouse, which is why we voted for the president-elect, Gen. Buhari. Don’t mind the forged INEC declared results from the region, people massively voted for Buhari but the rest is left for the law courts. As citizens, we have the inalienable rights to challenge those  over bloated result from the Delta region in courts.

    Gen. Buhari would start well by ensuring redistribution of the resources accruable to the people evenly in the region. Equity must be the common denominator for appointments in the region. Urhobo man should be allowed to secure the pipelines in his domain, ditto Ndokwa man and other nationalities. Former office holders who may have corruptly enriched themselves must be prosecuted with ignominy and punished to forestall reoccurrence another day. The reign of impunity under the outgoing presidency must be prodded into especially the negative use of the Nigerian Army by the administration.

     

    Are you saying the president was discriminatory in ýthe management of resources in the region?

     

    Yes, he was tribalistic, just as he took nepotism to all time high in the history of Nigeria. No president has ever ridden on ethnocentric, religious… sentiments as much as Dr Jonathan did. About 90 percent of his appointments in the region were based on those aforementioned banana peels. He cut the crude oil capacity of the Rivers State people by cutting their oil fields in the name of boundary adjustment and allocating it to Bayelsa and Imo states because he doesn’t like the face of Governor Rotimi Amaechi, whose hallmark is equity, good governance and brotherliness in the region.

     

    With the incoming government, do you have confidence that the region would be better?

     

    Very, well. Gen. Buhari has the wherewithal to foster the bond of unity in the region if he eschews robbing Peter to pay Paul. No one is more Niger Deltan than the other, so, we all must be treated equally. Peace will reign supreme in the region if the incoming administration follows the path of greatness. We stand against corruption in any form and we are sure that is what the APC presidency will stand for. Those who plundered our patrimony must be brought to justice.

     

  • Jonathan mourns Oronto Douglas

    Jonathan mourns Oronto Douglas

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday expressed deep sadness over the death of his Special Adviser on Research, Documentation and Strategy, Mr. Oronto Douglas.

    Douglas, aged 49, passed on at the State House clinic at about 4:58 a.m on Thursday.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President extended heartfelt condolences to the Douglas family and the government and people of Bayelsa State on the death of one of their most distinguished sons.

    He noted that Douglas served his country, state and the Niger Delta region, passionately and diligently, during his years on earth.

    The statement reads: “Oronto Douglas, who passed away after a protracted battle with cancer, was President Jonathan’s personal aide for close to a decade.

    “The President will always remember him for his passion for work, excellence, inspiring creativity and outstanding commitment to his duties.

    “The President remains thankful to God Almighty for the brilliance and resourcefulness that Oronto brought to bear on every assignment as a loyal and dutiful aide during his tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State and as Vice President, Acting President and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    The President believed that Oronto will remain a shining and worthy example for every young Nigerian who seeks a life of service and achievement.

    He prayed that Almighty God will grant Oronto’s soul eternal rest and the Douglas family and everyone who knew him, the fortitude to bear the pain of his death.

    “Formal funeral arrangements will be announced  by the Douglas family,” It stated

  • Ojukwu would have stopped bloodshed – TY. Danjuma

    Ojukwu would have stopped bloodshed – TY. Danjuma

    The former Minister of Defence, Theophilus Danjuma on Wednesday said that former Biafrian leader, late Chukwuemeka Ojukwu would have stopped one full year of bloodshed in Nigeria if he had conceded defeat like President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He made the remark shortly after President Jonathan paid him a private visit at his residence in Abuja.

    They met briefly behind closed-doors before the President departed for the Presidential Villa.

    Since his loss during the March 28th Presidential and National Assembly elections, President Jonathan has been having private consultations towards the handing over ceremony.

    Speaking after the closed door meeting, Danjuma said Jonathan’s decision to concede defeat to Buhari, has set a record in the history of the country.

    According to him, if Ojukwu had done the same thing after the fall of Enugu, when his government had to flee into the bush, he would have saved the country from more bloodshed.

    He said: “The outcome of the election and the manner in which President Jonathan conceded victory to Buhari, is total un-African, it is very important in the history of Africa.

    “Ojukwu didn’t do the same after the fall of Enugu. If he had conceded victory to the federal troops he would have saved the nation one full year of bloodshed.

    “President Jonathan has set a history, a record as something to be emulated by the rest of Africa and indeed the whole world. It’s an excellent thing he did”.

    Jonathan thanked him for his fatherly support during the election.

  • Jonathan greets Mark at 67

    Jonathan greets Mark at 67

    President Jonathan on Wednesday congratulated the Senate President, Senator David Mark on the occasion of his 67th birthday anniversary.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President also praised Senator Mark for his remarkable contributions to national development over the years.

    President Jonathan extolled the Senate President’s outstanding accomplishments in the service of his country.

    He said: “On the auspicious occasion of your 67th birthday anniversary, I join your family, friends and well-wishers to thank Almighty God for your life which has been marked by outstanding accomplishments and enduring fulfillment.

    “On behalf of my family, the Federal Government and people of Nigeria, I congratulate you and pray that Almighty God continues to strengthen, guide and prosper you,” President Jonathan wrote to the Senate President.

    He wished him a very happy birthday.

  • Polls: Jonathan warns against ‘negative triumphalism’

    Polls: Jonathan warns against ‘negative triumphalism’

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday warned against triumphalism ahead of the governorship and State Assembly elections billed for Saturday.

    He gave the warning in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.

    He condemned the attempt by some politicians, groups and individuals to intimidate others and heat up the polity in the aftermath of the presidential and National Assembly elections.

    He said: “As the nation prepares for Saturday’s governorship and State Assembly elections, President Jonathan calls on all Nigerians to remain peaceful, united and law-abiding.

    “The President condemns the very unseemly attempt by some politicians, groups and individuals to intimidate others, heat up the polity and cause public disorder and disaffection in the aftermath of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    “President Jonathan is especially concerned about the negative triumphalism that has been put on display by certain elements since March 31, which flies in the face of his personal commitment to post-election peace, unity and national stability.

    “The President calls on all those, who  through their actions and utterances, have been promoting divisiveness, sectionalism and ethnic hatred in the country following the outcome of the March 28 elections to cease and desist from actions that detract from the true spirit and culture of democracy envisioned by patriotic men and women of goodwill in Nigeria.”

    He added condemned the undue harassment of public officials serving under his administration, urging all affected persons to continue to perform their lawful duties without fear.

    The statement added: “The President cautions that this should be a time for the healing of political wounds in the overriding interest of national unity, stability and progress, not a time for ethnic jingoism and the settling of scores.”

    He said the Federal Government would not condone any attempt to instigate a crisis in any part of the country in furtherance of personal political ambitions.

    He assured the citizens that his administration remains committed to national progress and the entrenchment of the best values of democracy for the good of all Nigerians.

    Jonathan also urged Nigerians to go out en-masse once again on April 11 to vote for candidates of their choice in the governorship and State Assembly elections with the confidence that his administration will do all within its powers to ensure that they do so in peace, without threats, intimidation or violence from any quarters.

  • April 11 poll: Jonathan urges Nigerians to remain peaceful

    April 11 poll: Jonathan urges Nigerians to remain peaceful

    As the nation prepares for Saturday’s governorship and State Assembly elections, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan calls on all Nigerians to remain peaceful, united and law-abiding.

    In a statement by Reuben Abati, special adviser to the President on media and publicity, the president condemns attempt by some politicians, groups and individuals to intimidate others, heat up the polity and cause public disorder and disaffection in the aftermath of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    The statement reads; “President Jonathan is especially concerned about the negative triumphalism that has been put on display by certain elements since March 31 which flies in the face of his personal commitment to post-election peace, unity and national stability.

    “The President calls on all those, who  through their actions and utterances, have been promoting divisiveness, sectionalism and ethnic hatred in the country following the outcome of the March 28 elections to cease and desist from actions that detract from the true spirit and culture of democracy envisioned by patriotic men and women of goodwill in Nigeria.

    “President Jonathan also condemns the undue harassment of public officials serving under his administration and urges all affected persons to continue to perform their lawful duties without fear.

    “The President cautions that this should be a time for the healing of political wounds in the overriding interest of national unity, stability and progress, not a time for ethnic jingoism and the settling of scores.

    “The Federal Government will not condone any attempt to instigate a crisis in any part of the country in furtherance of personal political ambitions.

    “President Jonathan assures all Nigerians that his administration remains fully committed to national progress and the entrenchment of the best values of democracy for the good of all Nigerians.

    “He urges Nigerians to go out en-masse once again on April 11 to vote for candidates of their choice in the Governorship and State Assembly elections with the confidence that his administration will do all within its powers to ensure that they do so in peace, without threats, intimidation or violence from any quarters.”

     

  • Transition: Jonathan halts signing of amendments to constitution into law

    Transition: Jonathan halts signing of amendments to constitution into law

    Following the discovery of an extraneous recommendation, President Goodluck Jonathan has halted the signing of amendments to the 1999 Constitution into law.

    The outgoing President decided to avert creating any  problem for President-elect  Muhammadu Buhari.

    According to sources, the National Assembly, after harmonisation, amended 71  sections and some Schedules to the 1999 Constitution.

    The amendments include Sections 4, 7, 9, 45, 50A and 90A, which enshrine in the Constitution the establishment of National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly Service Commissions. Other sections passed include 59, 65 and 106, 67, 81, 82 and 122, 84 (4) (A – F), 89 and 129, 121, 124, 134 and 179, 174 and 211, 225, 228, 241, 251 and 285.

    But Jonathan and his team disagreed with the clause seeking to empower the National Judicial Council (NJC) to recommend the candidate for Attorney General of the Federation to the President. They believe that by  allowing NJC to recommend the Attorney-General of the Federation will amount to abuse of the principle of separation of powers.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The President was almost signing the new  amendments into law until the extraneous recommendation was discovered. The power to appoint either the Minister of Justice or the Attorney-General of the Federation cannot be ceded to the NJC by the President.

    “Also, the government looked at the functions of the NJC and there is no power allowing the body to appoint the Attorney-General of the Federation.

    “So, it is like whittling down the Executive powers of the President for no justifiable reasons. Whatever is the intention of the lawmakers, it is illegal to ask the NJC to appoint the AGF.

    “The President may send this amendment back to the National Assembly to take a second look at it.”

    Another source said: “Signing the amendment empowering the NJC to appoint the AGF  will amount to creating a challenge for the President-elect. Though the amendments preceded the election of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the new government might not see it so.

    “The President does not want to create any constitutional obstacle or crisis for the incoming administration and decided to withhold his assent.”

    In withholding his assent, it was not immediately clear if the President was also wary of the public outrage over pension for life for the President and Deputy President of the Senate; the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    One of the amended sections says: “Any person who has held office as President or Deputy President of the Senate, Speaker or  Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be entitled to pension for life at a rate equivalent to the annual salary of the incumbent President or Deputy President of the Senate, Speaker or Deputy Speaker  of  the House of Representatives.”

    The Constitution (Fourth Alteration) Bill, 2014 was passed in the Senate and House of Representatives respectively on Tuesday 21st  and Wednesday 15th October, 2014.

    The National Assembly transmitted same on Tuesday 28th October, 2014 to the State Houses of Assembly to fulfill the requirement  of Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution.

    The 36 State Houses of Assembly have forwarded their resolutions on the provisions of the Bill.

    Having satisfied Section 9( 2) of the Constitution, the amendments were processed in line with the Acts Authentication Act and transmitted to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his assent.

  • Jega, Jonathan, Buhari heroes of democracy, says Bakare

    Jega, Jonathan, Buhari heroes of democracy, says Bakare

    Serving Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Ogba, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has named Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, President Goodluck Jonathan, and President-elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, as heroes of the presidential elections.

    In what he termed as the ‘congratulatory part’ of his sermon titled: “Chances, Choices, and Consequences”, at yesterday’s Easter service, Bakare said Jega was deserving of the honour because of the role he played in delivering credible elections and not yielding to provocation.

    For graciously conceding defeat, the lawyer-turned-pastor said President Jonathan has defended Nigeria’s democracy.

    “You acted when it mattered most.  You are one of the heroes of democracy, and we thank you,” he said.

    For his patience and tenacity in seeking the presidential ticket since 2003, Bakare said Buhari, whom he called Mr. Integrity, was worthy of mention.