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Tag: Jonathan

  • Jonathan stops PDP’s bid to contest Buhari’s victory

    Jonathan stops PDP’s bid to contest Buhari’s victory

    President Goodluck Jonathan may have prevailed on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to challenge President-elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s victory  in last Saturday’s election.

    Instead of planning a case for the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, the Presidency will raise a Transition Committee on Tuesday, a source told The Nation yesterday.

    Vice President-elect Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is likely to head the All Progressives Congress (APC) team which will join the committee ahead of the May 29 transition.

    Ministers have started preparing their handover notes, it was also learnt.

    It was gathered that although some PDP stalwarts wanted Buhari’s victory challenged at the tribunal, the President thought otherwise.

    The party stalwarts, it was said, believe that some irregularities in some states are strong enough to upturn the final results of the election, which was hailed at home and abroad as substantially credible. Jonathan, it was learnt, said it made no sense —contesting Buhari’s victory— after he had conceded defeat.

    It was learnt that the PDP leaders referred  to the electoral scenario in  Ekiti where  the All Progressives Congress(APC) went to tribunal  despite the acceptance of defeat by ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi.

    The President, however, stood his ground that he would rather stand by his statesmanship attitude than going to tribunal.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The President has prevailed on PDP to drop plans to go to tribunal against Buhari. He said he wants his word to be his bond, having been applauded by the international community.

    “At a point, Jonathan said ‘I don’t believe in post-election petition at tribunal because it distracts the incoming administration’.

    “He also said Nigeria must emulate other nations where once the presidential poll is lost and won, the new government must not be distracted with election petitions.

    “He told party leaders that he was not interested in going to the tribunal. It is now left for PDP leaders to heed his advice.

    “So as at Thursday, the government’s position is that the PDP should not go to tribunal.”

    Stating the PDP’s position on the elections in a statement yesterday, Chairman Adamu Mu’azu, said:   “We have received reports of serious irregularities that characterized the conduct of the election and we shall channel our protests to the appropriate quarters in line with our profound respect for the rule of law and democratic ethos.”

    He did not say whether the party would go to the tribunal but added:  “What is paramount to us is the survival of our democracy, the unity, peace and progress of our dear nation and the happiness of all our people. Nigeria is bigger than any political party, individual or group and her overall interest must be our priority at all times.”

    The President in 2010 at the 15th summit of the African Union (AU) in Kampala, Uganda described post-election litigation as a major distraction to governance.

    Jonathan said: “It is inconvenient to already be in office and be thinking about election litigation.

    “The essence of the immunity clause in the constitution is that if a president or a governor takes an oath of office, he should sit down and concentrate on the job and when he leaves office, he could be prosecuted for any offence.

    “But because of the way we conduct our elections, the president who sits in office is still battling and being distracted with election issues, and it affects us.”

    The transition committee is likely to be constituted next week.

    Another source added: “The Presidency is working on a seamless transition from Jonathan’s administration to Buhari’s. The details are being worked out.”

    “I think by next week, the picture of the transition committee will emerge. The government is working early on the transition because it involves a lot of work.

    “The APC team will have to collaborate with the committee and ask questions if there are grey areas.”

    Meanwhile, Ministers have started compiling their handover notes, which will be part of the integral aspect of the report of the transition committee.

  • U.S. Secretary of State Kerry lauds Jonathan, Buhari

    U.S. Secretary of State Kerry lauds Jonathan, Buhari

    United States Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday congratulated President-elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

    He also lauded President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He said: “The United States congratulates the people of Nigeria and the Nigerian Government on historic and largely peaceful elections the weekend of March 28.  We especially applaud all voters who showed patience and demonstrated their commitment to participate in the democratic process.

    “The United States commends Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Attahiru Jega, on the generally orderly vote, on the use of technology such as card readers to increase the credibility and transparency of the electoral process, and on prompt communication of the results.  While we note reports of logistical problems, such incidents did not undermine the overall outcome of the election.

    “In January, I traveled personally to Nigeria and met with both President Jonathan and now President-Elect Buhari.  At that time, I emphasized that for the United States, Nigeria is an increasingly important strategic partner and that Nigeria has a critical role to play in the security and prosperity of this continent and beyond.

    “I also said that it was imperative that these elections are an improvement over past elections and that they need to set a new standard for this democracy.  That means that Nigerians needed to not only reject violence but actually promote peace.

    “We laud both President Jonathan and General Buhari for their public commitments to the Abuja Accord signed in January and reaffirmed March 26, respecting the official results, and encouraging their supporters to do the same.  We commend President Jonathan for his years of service and for having acted in the best interest of his country.  We welcome President Jonathan’s calls for unity and calm during this transition period.

    “Finally, we extend our congratulations to President-elect Buhari.  The United States reiterates its commitment to working with the newly elected government that emerges from this democratic process.”

  • Jonathan inaugurates power plant

    Jonathan inaugurates power plant

    Sooner or later, residents of Aba, the commercial nerve of the Southeast will be less dependent on the national grid for their electricity supply. President Goodluck Jonathan was there to inaugurate the first phase of the Alaoji National Integrated Power Project (NIPP).

    The President inspected facilities at the Geometric Power/Aba Power Limited, the companies behind the NIPP, promising that the Federal Government would resolve all pending issues so that  residents of the commercial city will enjoy uninterrupted power supply.

    The company, since the completion of its plant, had been having issues with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) over franchise-related matter. But President Jonathan, impressed with what he saw during his inspection of the facility, vowed that the Federal Government would not allow such heavy investment to be a waste.

    “This project is well-planned and will change the face of Aba in terms of power supply. Aba is a city that is highly industrialised with so many small and medium enterprises that need stable power supply to grow better and create more jobs for our people. We need to resolve this matter. This kind of investment cannot be a waste. We must call the parties involved in the matter–government, Geometric and EEDC to resolve the matter,” the President promised.

    He praised former Power Minister, Prof. Barth Nnaji who is the chairman of Geometric Power/Aba Power Limited, chairman Diamond Bank, Pascal Dozie and Governor Theodore Orji for their support towards the project.

    The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo said his ministry was working hard towards finding an amicable solution to all issues among the Federal Government, Geometric Power and the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company.

    Prof. Nebo noted that with a capacity of 141 megawatts of power, the company was capable of satisfying the electricity needs of the entire Aba metropolis, adding, “the excess power generated by the plant would be absorbed into the national grid.”

    Outlining the genesis and operations of the plant to the President, the chairman of Geometric Power/Aba Power Limited, Prof. Nnaji described the project as “a child of necessity.”

    He said the desire of Aba industrialists, including the small and medium-scale industries and “our desire to contribute our quota to increasing power supply in the country began over 10 years ago.”

    According to him, it was realised that the best way to ensure that Aba city quickly has reliable and affordable electricity was to build this off-grid power project that serves the metropolis.

    He added that at the same time, the then World Bank President, Mr Wolfensen and the then Finance Minister who is the current Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala met with Aba industrialists, including the Aba Ariaria manufacturers (SMEs).

    At the meeting, the Ariaria manufacturers were asked to identify their number one problem which if addressed would significantly improve their production; they unanimously said it was reliable electricity.

    He outlined: “Mr. President, this convergence of desire for reliable electricity is what led us to this historic Aba Integrated Power Project. At that time, I and our development partners from the International Financial Corporation (lFC) of the World Bank, the European Investment Bank (EID) and the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (now known as FMFM), wanted to find a business model for power development in Nigeria that is sustainable, can stand on its own, and can be easily replicated by various investors in other major cities in Nigeria.

    “We recognised that the country will not be able to afford sovereign guarantee for all of its power needs. We, therefore developed a model of customised embedded generation that would not require sovereign guarantee.

    “Consequently, we set about developing this integrated power project to satisfy the electricity needs of Aba metropolis at a time when the Power Sector Reform Act of 2005 was not yet enacted. In 2005, the Federal Government had to concession Aba metropolis as the only security of the investment in the project instead of the normal sovereign guarantee. We have met the terms of our concession agreement with the Federal Government, by building this 141MW Power Plant with state-of-the-art equipment from General Electric (GE) and rehabilitating the entire distribution network in Aba.

    “In addition to the power plant, we have built over 105 km of 33KV overhead lines within the Aba metropolis. You can see Mr. President that the steel tubular poles used to build the 33KV line infrastructure is unlike any other in Nigeria. We have also built over 40km of new 11KV lines in Aba. We have completed five new sub-stations consisting of the Power Plant’s 3x60MV A sub-station; four new 2x15MV A sub-stations at various parts of Aba town.

    “In addition, we have refurbished the only three existing Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) sub-stations which are dilapidated, by building three new control buildings with outdoor sub-station gantries within the premises of the existing PHCN sub-stations. In order to ensure the reliability of gas supply, we built a 27km gas pipeline from Imo River to this power plant and built the gas infrastructure to support the supply of reliable gas to the power plant. To date, we have invested over $500 million or over N100 billion in this project.

    “The power project is virtually complete, the power plant, various sub-stations and 33KV lines have been energised and fuel is available for this project. The remaining interconnection work on the distribution network within the premises of the existing PHCN sub-stations and the 11KV lines should take less than two months.

    “This was the remaining work that was being done by our contractors before the entire Enugu Electricity Distribution Company was handed over to another party by the BPE without excising Aba from the sale.”

    Continuing, Prof. Nnaji informed Mr. President of the protracted issue that has been holding down the company from switching on the plant and start power generation and distribution.

    He said: “This action, in spite of our valid concession agreement and your assurances that the agreement was sacrosanct, emboldened the operators of EEDC to stop our work and chase away our contractors from the sub-stations thereby ensuring that Aba people will not get benefit of this project.  This means that the BPE, in effect, double-sold Aba metropolis (which includes Aba and Ariaria in spite of the very fact that the agreement we had with the Federal Government clearly states that whenever there is privatisation, our company has first right to purchase the facility in Aba hence our heavy investment in this project.

    “As you can see Mr. President, the developers and investors in Aba IPP have developed a world-class electricity infrastructure with the belief that their investment in Nigeria is safe. We have made all effort to get BPE to correct what (for choice of words) may be called an “error”.

    “So far, they have not yielded to doing the correct thing. Rather, they have sought to justify this error and have continued to politicise the situation unnecessarily, thereby playing with the investment of this magnitude that aims at improving the well-being of our people and the interest of our country and the people of Aba at heart.

    “Mr. President, I and the other investors in the Aba answered the call of our beloved country to come home and be part of the development of our dear country. The investors and stakeholders include members of the Aba business community, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and our banks, especially Diamond Bank.

    “This travesty has been very cruel to us all. People in the investment community continue to wonder if this can happen to Nigerian investors with a well-structured agreement. How then can they be sure that their investments and agreements will not be breached in the future? This action by the government has certainly put cold feet on the legs of potential investors. The only instrument for doing business in developing and developed countries across the globe is an agreement, which must be respected and held sacrosanct by all parties.

    “All the various committees set up to look into this issue have come up with the same answer: that our agreement should be respected by the Federal Government and that Aba power should be offered the Aba and Ariaria Electricity Business Districts as enshrined in the agreement. I have been assured by Mr. Vice-President that the technical committee of National Council on Privatisation (NCP) and the NCP legal committee have made the same recommendation.

    “However, the painful fact is that this critical issue has been left festering since November 2013. It costs our company $3.5m in bank interest charges alone; plus more than N30 million for insurance coverage; other operational expenses every single month to carry a project that is not yielding any revenue due to the deliberate, hostile and crippling action of Enugu DISCo and the BPE over 15 months ago.

    “So far, about eight committees, including committees of the NCP, Nigeria Electricity Regulating Commission (NERC), and Ministry of Power among others, have investigated this matter and came up with the same recommendation. There is no more need for another committee; all that it requires is your decision and firm action that will ensure the full implementation of their recommendation to sell Aba metropolis to Aba Power.

    “We are therefore pleading with you to take a decisive action today and rescue our company and the people of Aba from the shackles of deliberate man-made mischief. We also plead with you to ask Enugu DISCo (EEDC) to immediately allow our contractors to complete the interconnection works that will allow Aba to receive this power.

    “Please, give the people of Aba an opportunity to get the intended benefit of this project, which is absolute reliable electricity. It is unfortunate that the powerful economic and political saboteurs within the system have denied your administration the golden opportunity of using the Aba metropolis electricity ring-fence as a shining example of your power reform agenda.

    “Nevertheless, we remain fully committed to ensuring that this project will be completed under your watch for the benefit of Aba Business Community and the Nigerian people.

    “Our team has worked very hard and made personal sacrifices to ensure that this project will be the first fruit of your power reform initiative in which the private sector will be empowered to drive power production and distribution in Nigeria. It is for this reason that it gives our people tremendous joy that you are here today. We hope that your visit today will liberate the Aba Integrated Power Project and release the huge economic potential of an “Enyimba City” (Aba) where electricity will be taken for granted. We are confident that your action in finally resolving this issue will do wonders for the regional economy and create hundreds of thousands of jobs for our teeming youths.”

  • Re-Jonathan and the Yoruba

    SIR: Dear Egbon, do not bother yourself about a Yoruba man calling you egbon. I am touched by your above message, God will continue enriching your knowledge and wisdom. Our tribes and tongues may differ but come March 28th; the brotherhood of faiths will effect the long awaiting change in this country.

    Mr. President should understand that this country will outlive him and history will not forget his name as the luckiest president who shattered hopes and aspirations of our people. The Almighty God will protect you and your family as labour for the greatness of this country-

     

    • Kenny * <kenlof2005@yahoo.com>

     

  • Buhari, Jonathan, true statemen -Agbaje

    Buhari, Jonathan, true statemen -Agbaje

    Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has praised President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari for displaying true sportsmanship and statesmanship in the presidential election.

    In a statement by Felix Oboagwina, Director of Media and Publicity to Mr. Agbaje, the PDP Governorship Candidate commended President Jonathan for placing the nation ahead of personal and party interests by conceding defeat to Buhari.

    “Many in Nigeria and the international community had feared that 2015 would witness post-election violence and explosion in the nation,” he said. “But the pre-election and post-election disposition of these competing candidates has defused the tension and frustrated all evil prognoses.”

    According to him, the two had shown themselves as true nationalists.

    Agbaje described President Jonathan as a man of history, being not only the first incumbent leader to concede defeat to the opposition, but one of the few African leaders who did not have the sit-tight or do-or-die attitude to politics.

    Congratulating Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their victory, Agbaje prayed that their reign would usher in peace and prosperity to every part of Nigeria.

    He said that by the result of the polls in Lagos, Lagosians had demonstrated that they were ready for change in the state.

    According to him, PDP’s commendable performance at the three elections came about as a synergy between indigenes and non-indigenes.

    “The results were a victory for democracy in Lagos State,” he said.

    Agbaje also congratulated Federal legislators emerging from the elections, saying, they must remember that they owed their victory to the people and they should be ready to serve the electorate.

    He urged Lagosians to hold firmly to their resolve to produce change at the April 11 governorship and state house of assembly polls.

    However, Agbaje urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to solve the several headaches that bedevilled the polls, including, lateness of polling staff at duty posts, malfunctioning card readers and the unholy alliance between officials and APC.

    “INEC owes Nigerians the duty to deliver free, fair and credible elections and the Commission must do everything humanly possible to check and avoid failure,” he said.

  • Jonathan acted in best interest of Nigeria – Kerry

    Jonathan acted in best interest of Nigeria – Kerry

    The United States secretary of state John Kerry has sent a message of congratulation to the Federal Government and entire Nigerians for the peaceful conduct of last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    In a statement, Kerry said; “The United States congratulates the people of Nigeria and the Nigerian Government on historic and largely peaceful elections the weekend of March 28.  We especially applaud all voters who showed patience and demonstrated their commitment to participate in the democratic process.”

    He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Attahiru Jega, on the general orderly vote, adding “on the use of technology such as card readers to increase the credibility and transparency of the electoral process, and on prompt communication of the results.  While we note reports of logistical problems, such incidents did not undermine the overall outcome of the election.”

    The statement added, “In January, I traveled personally to Nigeria and met with both President Jonathan and now President-Elect Buhari.  At that time, I emphasized that for the United States, Nigeria is an increasingly important strategic partner and that Nigeria has a critical role to play in the security and prosperity of this continent and beyond.

    “I also said that it was imperative that these elections are an improvement over past elections and that they need to set a new standard for this democracy.  That means that Nigerians needed to not only reject violence but actually promote peace.

    “We laud both President Jonathan and General Buhari for their public commitments to the Abuja Accord signed in January and reaffirmed March 26, respecting the official results, and encouraging their supporters to do the same.  We commend President Jonathan for his years of service and for having acted in the best interest of his country.  We welcome President Jonathan’s calls for unity and calm during this transition period.

    “We extend our congratulations to President-elect Buhari.  The United States reiterates its commitment to working with the newly elected government that emerges from this democratic process.”

     

  • Bayelsa Rep hails Buhari, Jonathan

    Bayelsa Rep hails Buhari, Jonathan

    A member representing Sagbama-Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House Representatives, Dr. Stella Dorgu, Thursday saluted President Goodluck Jonathan for his uncommon show of sportsmanship after losing the Saturday’s election to Gen. Muhammadu, Buhari (retd).

    Dorgu who spoke in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, further hailed Buhari for his success and appealed to him to be magnanimous in victory.

    She said the President by conceding defeat immediately demonstrated his love and commitment to the unity of Nigeria.

    Dorgu said President Jonathan had made the Ijaw proud and changed people’s negative perception against the ethnic group.

    She said the posture of the President had paved the way for a peaceful transition for the continuity of democracy in the country.

    “I salute his courage and magnanimity. I also salute Governor Seriake Dickson for keeping the Bayelsa PDP family together.

    “We will now enter another phase of political development that will make us stronger strategically. We need to work in unity for good governance in Bayelsa State and Nigeria as a whole,”she said.

  • Buhari: Jonathan has nothing to fear from me

    Buhari: Jonathan has nothing to fear from me

    NIGERIANS got yesterday a glimpse into how the Muhammadu Buhari presidency will be run.

    There will be no discrimination, religion, ethnicity or gender. The president-elect said.

    Gen. Buhari promised to work for those who voted for him, those who voted against him and those who did not vote at all.

    He pledged to govern instead of ruling.

    Gen. Buhari said he harboured no ill-will against anyone despite the rancour of the elections which was occasioned by his eligibility for the poll.

    He extended a hand of friendship and conciliation to President Goodluck Jonathan and his team, adding: “Jonathan has nothing to fear from me.”

    He said Boko Haram will soon know the “strength of our collective will and commitment to rid this nation of terror and bring back peace”.

    Gen. Buhari made his views known in a speech after collecting his Certificate of Return from the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

    With  Vice President-elect Prof. Yemi Osinbajo by his side, Gen. Buhari said he is looking forward to an environment where Nigerians will go to bed and feel safe.

    The President-elect said: “Let us put the past, especially the recent past, behind us. We must forget our old battles and past grievances—and learn to forge ahead. I assure you that our government is one that will listen to and embrace all.

    “I pledge myself and our in-coming administration to just and principled governance. There shall be no bias against or favouritism for any Nigerian based on ethnicity, religion, region, gender or social status.

    “I pledge myself and the government to the rule of law, in which none shall be so above the law that they are not subject to its dictates, and none shall be so below it that they are not availed of its protection.

    “You shall be able to go to bed knowing that you are safe and that your constitutional rights remain in safe hands. You shall be able to voice your opinion without fear of reprisal or victimisation.

    “My love and concern for this nation and what I desire for it extend to all, even to those who do not like us or our politics. You are all my people and I shall treat everyone of you as my own. I shall work for those who voted for me as well as those who voted against me and even for those who did not vote at all. We all live under one name as one nation: we are all Nigerians.”

    Amid intermittent applause, said in spite of hate campaigns, he harboured no grudge against anyone.

    ”Some unfortunate issues about my eligibility have been raised during the campaign. I wish to state that through devotion to this nation, everything I have learned and done has been to enable me to make the best possible contribution to public life. If I had judged myself incapable of governing I would never have sought to impose myself on it. I have served in various capacities and have always put in my best.

    “But despite the rancour of the elections, I extend a hand of friendship and conciliation to President Jonathan and his team. I hereby wish to state that I harbour no ill will against anyone.

    “Let me state clearly that President Jonathan has nothing to fear from me. Although we may not agree on the methods of governing the nation, he is a great Nigerian and still our president. He deserves our support and permanent respect by virtue of the office he has held.

    “This is how an honourable nation treats its servants and conducts its affairs; and this is how Nigeria should be looking forward to meeting with President Jonathan in the days to come to discuss how our teams can make the transition of administrations as efficient as possible.”

    Gen. Buhari repeatedly stressed that he will govern and not rule the nation.

    He said change has finally come to the country because APC government will faithfully serve Nigerians.

    He said: “I am immensely grateful to God for this day and for this hour. I feel truly honoured and humbled that the Nigerian people have so clearly chosen me to lead them.

    “The official announcement from INEC was the moment the vast majority of Nigerians had hoped and been waiting for. Today, history has been made, and change has finally come. Your votes have changed our national destiny for the good of all Nigerians.

    “INEC has announced that I, Muhammadu Buhari, shall be your next president. My team and I shall faithfully serve you. There shall no longer be a ruling party again: APC will be your governing party. We shall faithfully serve you. We shall never rule over the people as if they were subservient to government.

    “Our long night has passed and the daylight of new democratic governance has broken across the land. This, therefore, is not a victory for one man or even one party. It is a victory for Nigeria and for all Nigerians. Millions of you have worked for this day. So many have risked life and livelihood; and others have died that we may witness this moment.”

    Gen. Buhari said while he is not above mistakes, Nigerians should be patient and join hands with his administration to succeed.

    He said if it meant crawling or walking, he will get the job done.

    His words: “I ask you to join me in resolving these and the other challenges we face. Along the way, there will be victories but there may also be setbacks. Mistakes will be made. But we shall never take you for granted; so, be rest assured that our errors will be those of compassion and commitment not of willful neglect and indifference.

    “We shall correct that which does not work and improve that which does. We shall not stop, stand or idle. We shall, if necessary, crawl, walk and run to do the job you have elected us to do.

    “I realise that the expectation of our people today is as high as their commitment to change has been strong and their belief in us unshaken. While we pledge to begin doing our best without delay, we would like to appeal to them to appreciate the gravity of our situation, so that we become more realistic in our expectations.

    “We will govern for you and in your interests. Your vote was not wasted. This is not the first time Nigerians have cast their votes for us, and this is not the first time they have been counted; but this is the first time that the votes have been allowed to count. With the help of God, we pledge to do our utmost to bring forth the Nigeria you seek.”

    Although he thanked Nigerians for voting for him, Buhari said their obligation does not end with the casting of the ballot.

    He sought for input from Nigerians to tackle the challenges facing the nation.

    He pledged to wage war against Boko Haram and corruption, among other problems bedeviling the nation.

    He added: “Most of all, I thank the people of Nigeria for reposing their confidence in me at this trying moment. Our nation wrestles many challenges, including insecurity, corruption, economic decline. I pledge to give you my best in tackling these problems.

    “The good people of Nigeria, your obligation does not end with casting your ballot. I seek your voice and input as we tackle these problems. This will not be a government democratic only in form. It will be a government democratic in substance and in how it interacts with its own people.

    “No doubt, this nation has suffered greatly in the recent past, and its staying power has been tested to its limits by crises, chief among which is insurgency of the Boko Haram.

    “There is no doubt that in tackling the insurgency we have a tough and urgent job to do. But I assure you that Boko Haram will soon know the strength of our collective will and commitment to rid this nation of terror, and bring back peace and normalcy to all the affected areas. We shall spare no effort until we defeat terrorism.

    “Furthermore, we shall strongly battle another form of evil that is even worse than terrorism—the evil of corruption. Corruption attacks and seeks to destroy our national institutions and character.

    “By misdirecting into selfish hands funds intended for the public purpose, corruption distorts the economy and worsens income inequality. It creates a class of unjustly-enriched people.

    “Such an illegal yet powerful force soon comes to undermine democracy because its conspirators have amassed so much money that they believe they can buy government. We shall end this threat to our economic development and democratic survival. I repeat that corruption will not be tolerated by this administration; and it shall no longer be allowed to stand as if it is a respected monument in this nation.”

    Gen. Buhari paid tribute to all his supporters, admirers and those who died during the electioneering.

    He said: “And it is with a very heavy heart that I report many deaths and injuries amidst the jubilation yesterday. We send our sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives; and wish speedy recovery to those who suffered injuries. I appeal to all our supporters to celebrate this victory with prayers and reflection instead of wild jubilation.

    “May the souls of those who died rest in peace. Let us take a moment of silence to honour all of those whose sacrifices have brought us to this fine and historic hour. As the results of the election have shown, their labour has not been and will never be in vain. Democracy and the rule of law will be re-established in the land.”

    He thanked President Barack Obama, the UN Secretary-General,  other world leaders, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, General Yakubu Gowon, Alh. Shehu Shagari, General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan and General Abdulsalami Abubakar  and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu,  for making the poll successful.

    Gen. Buhari promised a robust diplomatic  relationship with other nations on the basis of mutual reciprocity.

    He pledged that Nigeria will become a more forceful and constructive player in the global fight against terrorism.

    Gen. Buhari said: “I give special thanks to President Obama and his timely intervention and support for peaceful and credible elections in Nigeria and for sending Secretary John Kerry and other United States officials.

    “The European Union,  especially the United Kingdom, France, Germany and other nations that were actively involved in ensuring the success of this election are equally appreciated. My sincere thanks to the United Nations Secretary General Mr. Ban-Ki Moon. The Commonwealth, China, India and other Asian and Gulf states are also hereby appreciated.

    “Finally, our brothers in the African Union and ECOWAS have truly and clearly shown and demonstrate their commitment to our democratisation process. Former Presidents John Kuffour, Amos Sawyer, Bakili Muluzi and his team are well appreciated.

    “ I must also add my appreciation for the role played by civil societies, national and International observers, other world leaders in ensuring that Nigeria holds free and fair elections.

    “I assure all foreign governments that Nigeria will become a more forceful and constructive player in the global fight against terrorism and in other matters of collective concern, such as the fight against drugs, climate change, financial fraud, communicable diseases and other issues requiring global response. I want to assure our fellow African nations that Nigeria will now stand as a more constructive partner in advancing the matters of concern to our continent, particularly with regard to economic development and eradication of poverty.

    “Former Heads of State and Presidents- Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, General Yakubu Gowon, Alh. Shehu Shagari, General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan and General Abdulsalami Abubakar – deserve commendations for their statesmanship and words of caution and counsel for peace during the tense moments of this electoral period.”

    “ I want to thank my party for selecting me as its candidate. I thank our party leaders and members for the steadfast contributions they made to bring our dream to fruition.

    “ I thank INEC, the police and all other government agencies for performing their tasks in a proper manner and for refusing to be induced to undermine the election and the democratic process.

    “I also wish to thank religious leaders, traditional leaders, the media, labor unions, civil society organisations, organised private sector, youths and students for their roles in this election.”

    Earlier, INEC chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega had said the commission did its best.

    He, however, admitted that there was need to keep on reforming and improving the process

    He said: “We like to use this opportunity to express our appreciation to all Nigerians for the support that they have been given to the commission to see to the successful conduct of this elections.

    “We have done our best under all circumstances and we are gratified that a large number of Nigerians have utilised the opportunities and came out to exercise their franchise.

    “We believe that it is important to keep reforming and improving the Nigerian electoral process. It is important that we do this for the integrity of our governance process and for dividends of democracy in our country.

    “We pledged to all Nigerians that as a commission, we will continue to do our best under all circumstances to ensure free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.

    ”I will like to at this point acknowledge the contributions of a number of stakeholders for the successful conduct of the election.

    “We urge all Nigerians to continue to exhibit patience and decorum and to be peaceful and orderly because these are essential requirement of a successful conduct of an election.”

    The occasion was witnessed by party leaders, governors and dignitaries, including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; former APC Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande;  APC National Chairman Chief John Odigie- Oyegun;  APC National Secretary Mai Mala Bunu;  Governors Aliyu Wammako, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola, Adams Oshiomhole, Abiola Ajimobi,  Ibikunle Amosun, Tanko Al-Makura, Rochas Okorocha and  Kashim Shettima.

    Others are Inspector-General of Police Suleiman Abba;  Gen. Buhari’s wife, Hajiya Aishat;  former Governors Kayode Fayemi, Timpreye Sylva, Olusegun Oni, Olusola Saraki, Abdullahi Adamu and Prince Audu Abubakar.

    Also at the ceremony were a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau; former PDP National Chairman Alh. Kawu Baraje; Senator Jibrila Bindow; Sen. Abu Ibrahim, Sen. Robert Ajayi Borroffice, Sen. Aishat Alhassan, Sen. Kabiru Gaya;  Sen. Chris Ngige; Senator-elect Dino Melaye; ex-FCT Minister Nasiru ýEl-Rufai, ex-Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, ex-Minister Paullen Tallen, activist Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, APC National Publicity Secretary Lai Mohammed, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senator Olunrunnimbe Mamora and ex- Secretary to INEC Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed.

  • Defeat of Jonathan, depression and allied illnesses

    Stranded and alone,” Like my name, I remember this 14 September 1974 newspaper headline any day my mind revisits my days on the LAGOS WEEKEND newspaper. The Lagos Weekend sold an average of 250,000 (eyes 300, 000) copies every Friday. It was about the second biggest sale in the stable of the Daily Times newspaper group, after the Sunday Times, edited by Mrs. Gbolabo Ogunsanwo which must have hit or surpassed the 400,000 or 500,000 mark. These figures should make many of today’s editors green with envy. For it is doubtful if all their daily sale put together exceed 250,000 copies. Yet we have a bigger literate and reading public with more money in the pocket than did the information consumers of those days. Radio, television and the social media may have a hand in this retrogression, no doubt. I believe, however, that the biggest trouble, as Taiwo Obe never tires of saying, is that the journals of today have no firm roots in the market places and, so, are disconnected from the reading public, like fish with no water to swim in.

    This is not a day to debate why some newspapers are thriving while others are collapsing.

    Last Saturday’s Presidential election merely reminded me that success has many fathers, and failure, no father, of the loneliness and depression which may have enveloped not only President Ebele Jonathan and his garrulous wife, Patience, but of many aides and kinsmen who loyally stood by them, and the flight of those fair-weather ones who merely hid under the Presidential canopy to fatten their purses.

    On 14 September 1974, Mr. Clement Okosun, editor of Lagos Weekend, published his weekly column named THE TIME BEFORE THIS with the said headline, Stranded and Alone. He was one of the many editors I worked with in my formative years as a journalist. The list included Mr. Henry Odukomaiya, Mr. George Okoro, Mr. Sola Oluwole, Mr. Sola Odunfa, Prince Tony Momoh, Mr. Angus Okoli and Mr. Clement Okosun.

    Mr. Clement Okosun said he felt “stranded and alone” because, on that day, I left for the university. There were only two of us who produced the Lagos Weekend.

    He was editor, I sub-editor. I doubled as reporter, proof-reader and production editor. Yet we had only Monday and Tuesday to assemble the paper, proof-read and okay on Wednesday, print on Thursday and sell on Friday. I do not know how Mr. Okosun coped after I left. But from the things he said in that article, I still have no doubt that he experienced pain of the soul from my separation from him. His employment of Stranded and Alone may not entirely fit my construction of it in this column. But I see in the frameworks of both common destabilising elements in a person’s life. Mr. Okosun was so attached to me because I made his editorship so easy for him.

    President Jonathan is so attached to power because, through public office, the school boy who had no school shoes and school bag, has become, arguably, one of Nigeria’s wealthiest men. Separation from power must, therefore, bring agony of soul. Mr. Okosun and I had become too attached to each other for him not to feel the pain of my tearing away from him. I may not have felt anything because I was going on adventure and enjoying it. I was later to learn after university, from the experiences of life, that attachment to anything (family, office, work, property, neighborhood, money, power etc), except to ones’ Creator, could be the greatest calamity that could befall a person. It was at this stage of inner experiencing that I began to understand the story of Lot’s wife rendered in the Christian Bible. Many Christians take this story on the face value. Destruction was to befall Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot, a Pius man, was to be spared. He and his family were to flee the town and not look back. In their flight, Lot’s wife remembered the jewelry and other valuables she was leaving behind. She looked back… and immediately became a mould of salt. In my view, this was an allegorical rendition of a story which teaches us not to be attached to anything except our goal, which is the return home to Paradise in the Kingdom the Lord has provided for those people who fulfill the purpose of their creation, namely the perfection of their spirits. No man is appointed a judge over other men in these matters. But all can feel to their fingertips cases or situations of attachment to the wrong things.

    In this regard, President Jonathan, should have seen this humiliating defeat coming a long time ago. He was, in my opinion, attached to power. He must have spent about eight years in the corridors of power in his home state before the then President Olusegun Obasanjo fished him out for his project of succession of Musa Shehu Yar A’dua.

    ayelsa deputy governor Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was to succeed his boss, impeached for financial crimes, at Obasanjo’s behest, as the governor, complexed as vice-President of Nigeria to Yar A’dua’s Presidential ticket. The match-making cabal extracted from Jonathan a promise that he would not lift a finger for the Yar A’dua Presidency, considered a northern Nigeria slot, should anything, including death, happen to the sickly Yar A’dua before he completed two terms of four years each. Yar A’dua died two years into the first term and Jonathan jetissoned the pledge, supported by Constitutionalists who puritanically insisted succession had to follow letters and spirit of the Law. Jonathan thus became Acting President. There was uproar in the north then and when Jonathan made a bid for a full four-year term after completing the remainder of Yar A’dua’s first tenure two years. Obasanjo calmed nerves and sold the north a middle-road agreement in which the north would support Jonathan’s 2011 Presidential bid and Jonathan would pave the way for a northern President in 2015. But, again, in 2015, Jonathan broke the agreement and manipulated himself as a sole Presidential candidate in the party’s presidential primaries.

    Meanwhile, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, leader of one of the opposition parties and, arguably, political leader of the South-West region, galvanised opposition parties into the All Poeples’ Congress (APC) to produce a northern Presidential candidate in General Muhammed Buhari (rtd), a one-time military strongman of Nigeria who, with only two routine houses and less than N1 million in the bank to his credit, arguably holds Nigeria’s record for the INCORRUPTIBLE MAN or MR INCORRUPTIBLE on the contrary Jonathan did not declare his assets or his wife’s in public.

    The Presidential campaign was Nigeria’s fiercest. All the Presidents men who had led or misled him into policies which fattened their estates in the President’s support, even when they knew he could fail against Buhari, urging him to throw or hurl more money at the poverty stricken electorate are now departing from him. Jonathan, afraid and desperate to return to power, hurled and hurled and hurled more money. Encouraging him on were the same people who swallowed the trillions of naira invested in the energy sector with nothing as yet to show for it. They were the same people who got him to borrow trillions of naira to fight the dissident Boko Haram instead of serving of Nigerian’s 774 Local Government Areas, expecting the rag tag army over four years of his tenure to do the job; whereas Nigeria fought a 30th-month civil war with the secessionist Eastern Region and borrowed no single kobo from overseas to fight the war, even when crude oil income was not available to prosecute the war. That cabal got money pumped like water  into practically every security project. In the end, It was foreign troops from Nigeria’s neighbours who helped to liberate Nigeria’s lost local government areas. The stolen girls were not found. No one has been prosecuted for treason. And, as someone remarked, “the myth” of Nigeria’s army in Africa was broken. So bad did Nigerian life become under Jonathan that the Naira, the national currency, crashed abysmally. The President’s men kept telling him these were not his handiwork but a global phenomenon. And they kept lining their pockets. Corruption came to such unbelievable head that Ibrahim Babangida, whose military junta was thought to fuel the corruption machine most, said when he compared his days with Jonathan’s, he must pass as a saint before the judges in history.

    resident Ebele Jonathan promised his party he would not pursue a second tenure ambition. But once he became President in 2011, courtesy of that agreement, he canvassed a constitutional amendment that would replace a four-year term with one of seven years. This, again, was evidence of attachment to power. But he never had his way. Only history and meticulous accountants would be able to ascertain how much money he has flung at voters in this election. I do not see him, in defeat, walking away from office with a broad smile on his face, thankful to the Lord for a wonderful opportunity he has had to be of service to his people. Leaving office grudgingly would mean attachment to office and a forcible tearing away from office by the public will. That would bring nothing but sadness and sadness that may lead the way to depression. President Jonathan would not be alone, downcast and suffering. There would be hundreds of thousands of people, if not millions, who would journey in the same train with him. Many of these people would be those followers of Jonathan who clung to him on ethnic and religious grounds irrespective of visible damage he had wrought on the economy or who stood by, believing that another tenure would bring of unlimited access to the treasury. A state of depression which is likely to follow President’s Jonathan’s defeat informs the choice of depression as the subject of this column today. It should offer an opportunity for self-help to everyone who, “stranded and alone,” finds himself or herself in a state of depression….

    There are two carpenters who gave me an idea of what the face of depression may look like. The first was to help me knock up wood work in the kitchen. I had known him for many years. He came by money easily because he had many clients who liked the finishing of his job. But he spent money as easily as he earned it, believing the morrow would bring yet another haul. Then one day, he received the shocking news of his life: his younger brother had just built a house and moved in. This carpenter was depressed by the news because he had just been sent out of his single room abode by his landlord and was living in a market stall. For months, he locked up his workshop, and depended on the generosity of his clients to keep body and soul together. I managed to persuade him not to weigh his life on another person’s scale. So, he came to the house for the kitchen job. But he couldn’t summon his nerves to work and left.

    The second carpenter came to make ward robes in the rooms. He seemed full of life but wherever he settled to work, he never  kept his lips sealed. He was always talking to himself, complaining about how his extended family was fleecing him of money. Mid-day through the wardrobes, I stopped him from coming to the house. For he looked like someone who may knock the hammer and the nail in the wrong place someday.

    Besides both men, I have been privileged to observe many people whose bodies do not align with their souls. Some of them talk to no one in particular as they walk along on the highway. In buses, some are physically wide awake but do not hear the conductor call their bus-stop. Some are lethagic and feel like doing nothing in life. Some have no appetite, while some overeat. Some people cannot sleep (insomnia) while some people sleep all day (sleep attack). Some people, especially the young, are easily irritable. Some people loose interest or pleasure in almost all activities, including sex. Some people feel guilty or worthless. Energy loss and fatigue may assail some people. Concentration may be difficult in some cases. In some cases, suicidal or negative thoughts may flourish in the soul. At this level, the patient may be subjected to the receipt of auto suggestions from disembodied but earth-bound souls who seek to manifest their desires in the earthly plane by taking possession of any human body whose blood radiations make them vulnerable for such possession. Orthodox medicine would appear not to be familiar with this terrain orthodox doctors simply put the patient to a prolonged sleep to calm the patient. When the patient falls asleep, the invading disembodied soul finds the body unusable and vacates the scene for a while, to return when the patient is awake. The doctor prescribes another round of sleeping drugs, and the vicious cycle continues. In their own practice, traditional medicine doctors who have a calling in this field merely cast the invader away and the patient normalises. Nutritionally, this can also be achieved by recomposing the blood. To elevate its radiations, particularly with green foods and drinks. The recomposition elevates the blood radiation to the point that it cannot be used by a soul other than the inhabitant of that physical body, that is the patient. In the 1980s, Lagos city witnessed the phenomenon of a bearded man who prowled the metropolis picking insane people in the streets and marching them around all day in a long file. He would buy them razor blades, and they would, with them, cut their hair. Public spirited people donated clothes and money. The once insane people became well. It was unfortunate that the health authorities did not seek to understand his art and integrate it into the hospital health care delivery system. In my understanding, what he did amounted to no more than freeing these once insane people from those entities in the beyond which made them playgrounds of  their own pleasures. Many people are subject to auto-suggestion on a middle scale without realising it. People would tell you that something always tells them while on a pedestrian bridge to jump into fast moving traffic below. Sometimes they feel like reaching out for a knife and stabbing themselves. When I teach troubled people how to fight negative auto-suggesting, I let them know that every negative thought they develop is a perversion of a positive thought. When they think negative, they should act the positive end of the continuum.  Example, if one has a serious argument with another, and he receives an auto-suggestion to slap or strike that other person, he could turn the table against negativism by telling the other party… oh we need not quarrel over this matter. “I am sorry about everything”. I have found those three words. “I am sorry” a great healing balm in many situations, even when I am in the right. By the time one has become suffused with positive thinking, the negative auto-suggestions decrease in quantum and frequency. In this season of election block and defeat, those minions of darkness who work with negative auto suggestions will be everywhere instigating quarrels, gun duels, and whatever would not make for the peace of the individual and his or her society.

     

    CAUSES

    here are many possible causes of depression. An underlying feature of them all is sadness. All of us are sad at one time or the other. We may be bereaved, in the heat of divorce, have unresolved emotional issues, be under tension and stress, become financially embarrassed, or our hormones may become unbalanced. Besides this, some drugs, especially recreational substances may cause mind havocs. Mood swings do occur, also from low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and high blood sugar.

    In the specific case under reference, that is depression arising from election shocks and defeat, politicians and their followers will be imperiled in their health if they do not detach themselves from this event and carry on with their lives. They may become moody, hurtful all day, all night, losing brain chemicals which stabilise the brain. The loss of one of these chemicals, serotonin, has been linked to various states of depression. Depression is a crystal clear word. It means compression or the piling of pressure. The piling is impacted on the mind by forces outside the mind. If forces within the mind cannot match the forces outside, a break down occurs within which rapidly consumes all the nutrient chemicals which keep the brain stable. In the event of these substances not being as rapidly replaced as they are consumed, the brain , too, goes under.

  • Lawmaker dedicates victory to Buhari, Jonathan, Jega, Tinubu

    Lawmaker dedicates victory to Buhari, Jonathan, Jega, Tinubu

    A member of the House of Representatives and former governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the June 21, 2014 election in Ekiti State, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, has congratulated the President-elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari over his landslide victory in last Saturday’s presidential elections.

    In a press release made available to The Nation, Hon. Bamidele described it as “a brilliant outing by Nigerians whose determination to liberate themselves from the untold hardship and sheer misrule that characterized the 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hegemony in Nigeria is worthy of celebration.”

    Bamidele, who returned back to the All Progressives Congress Congress (APC) as the campaign for the elections got underway, called on the President-elect to regard the victory as a God-given opportunity to provide a most unique and transformative leadership to the nation. He added that Gen. Buhari should not renege on his promise to ensure a zero level of tolerance for corruption and to commit himself to the security and welfare of Nigerians on assumption of office. The lawmaker said, otherwise, the efforts of all lovers of democracy at home and abroad to support his bid for the presidency will be in vain.

    He said: “In the same vein, I urge Gen. Buhari neither to allow himself to be distracted nor dissipate so much energy in probing past leaders and administrations, but rather encourage those who have looted public treasury to re-invest such money in the local economy with a view to generating more opportunities for massive employment and financial stability.

    “His most urgent assignment must be to concentrate on the critical need to assemble a highly professional and resourceful economic team that has the capacity to rescue the nation’s economy from the doldrums within a reasonable space of time, as the poverty condition among the people of this country is no more tolerable and requires an urgent intervention. He needs this crack economic team to complement his strict leadership posturing in order to move the nation forward.

    Bamidele also congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for his spirit of sportsmanship. “He has demonstrated that he has the spirit of a good sportsman and has acted in the interest of peace, progress and unity of our dear nation. The issue at stake is beyond Gen. Buhari and President Jonathan as it is essentially about the sustainability of our democracy as a nation and the need for us to demonstrate to the rest of the world that Nigeria has come of age and has set her foot on the right path in terms of commitment to global best democratic practice standard.”

    He described the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, and the National Leader of the APC Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as men who would go down in history as defenders of democracy. He said Prof. Jega is a man whose integrity and strength of character “became the blood and tonic that sustained the electoral process.”

    He also described Asiwaju Tinubu as the foremost opposition leader whose selfless and resourceful efforts gave rise to the new Nigeria everyone is celebrating today. He added: “Tinubu was once referred to as ‘the last man standing’ when he was the only surviving governor following the so-called ‘electoral tsunami’ that swept away his counterparts in the Southwest geo-political region in the 2003 general elections.

    “Tinubu did not only leave progressive legacies of socio-economic transformation in Lagos State, but went back to the trenches to rescue the rest of the Southwest region from the PDP between 2003 and 2011 in a tumultuous legal and political battle of heroic dimension.”