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Tag: President Jonathan

  • Jonathan assures on safety at World Economic Forum

    Jonathan assures on safety at World Economic Forum

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday reassured the global community of the safety of all participants in next month’s World Economic Forum on Africa billed for Abuja.

    He gave the assurance, according to a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, while receiving the new China’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gu Xiaojie, who presented his letters of credence to him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, the security challenges being experienced in parts of the country will have no adverse effect on the safety of participants at the forum.

    He commended China for confirming participation of its delegation at the Forum, to be led by Premier Li Keqiang.

    The Forum, he said, will bring together regional and global leaders to discuss innovative structural reforms and investments that can sustain the continent’s current growth trajectory and create jobs.

    He said: “I am quite pleased that the Premier of the People’s Republic of China has confirmed that he is coming. We will be addressing the World Economic Forum on Africa together. We will also sit down together to discuss shared national interests.”

    “We will give all participants a good reception in Abuja. We have faced challenges in the area of security, but we will overcome the situation so that our economy can move forward faster. Participants will not have a problem with security during the summit.”

     

  • Tackling insurgency our collective responsibility – Jonathan

    Tackling insurgency our collective responsibility – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday said the lingering security challenges in northern part of the country portend threat to Nigerian nationhood, urging the citizens to see security as responsibility of all.

    The President, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Youth and Student Affairs, Comrade Jude Imagwe, at the Inauguration ceremony of Grassroot youth Initiative (GYI), held in Benin City, Edo State, declared that Nigeria will rise again.

    He said that Nigerians must jettison ethnic, religious and cultural sentiments in the fight against terrorism.

    “One issue that worries me is to see how Nigeria will rise again, taking its place among leagues of nations. Nigeria must continue to move on the path of peace, unity and progress. Every Nigerian must set aside politics, religion and be united with the present government to fight those who do not wish our nation well. I believe that Nigeria will surely rise again,” President Jonathan said.

     

     

  • ‘Jonathan hasn’t failed in war against terror’

    Kinsman of President Goodluck Jonathan and Convener, South-South Coalition for Goodluck 2015, Chief Thompson Okorotie, on Tuesday said the Boko Haram insurgency has not overwhelmed the President.

    Okorotie, a former Political Adviser in Bayelsa State, said it was unfair for some persons to label his kinsman a failure following surprised bloody attacks by Boko Haram.

    He said the President has successfully prosecuted the military campaign against terrorism.

    For instance, he said Jonathan had done better in the war than the former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    He claimed that the terrorist group operated in 12 states of the north during Obasanjo’s administration.

    But he said the terrorist group under Jonathan’s administration only operates mainly in the north-east.

    “Apart from that, the Boko Haram members are on the run. We must also remember that what the administration is contending with is international terrorism and Boko Haram has been appropriately classified as an international terrorist group,” he said.

    He said the President should be commended for seeking international assistance to solve the problem.

    Okorotie said the multi-national Joint Task Force (JTF) constituted to deal with terrorism was already solving the border issues strengthening Boko Haram operations.

    He insisted that Boko Haram was a contraption by the enemies of Jonathan to stop him from getting a second term in 2015.

     

     

  • Dance of shame

    Dance of shame

    We condemn President Jonathan’s political jamboree to Kano and Ibadan at a time of national mourning 

    Does President Goodluck Jonathan have empathy for human life? This question would have become unnecessary but for the frolicsome political visits the president made to Kano State and Ibadan, Oyo State, at a period that he should have led the country in mourning the several calamities that befell her within about 24 hours. Firstly, the Nyanya motor park in Abuja was bombed by Boko Haram terrorists, which led to the death of over 71 people (officially) while unofficial figures stand at about 200, with about 200 others injured. Secondly, barely a few hours after this gory incident, about 129 students of Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, a town west of Maiduguri writing their Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE) were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists, in Borno State.

    Yet, the president ignored these incidents and still created time to welcome the former Governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): And to attend the 100 years birthday celebration of the Olubadan of Ibadan Oba Samuel Osundiran Odulana, when he could just have sent representation to the ancient city’s monarch’s event. Sadly, the presidential visits were just 24 hours after the Nyanya calamity and the barbaric abduction of the school girls in Borno State. Where is the fatherly compassion, the civilised leadership and humanity in President Jonathan?

    This year alone, it is unfortunate that terrorism has reportedly led to the untimely deaths of 1,500 people. Despite these despicable acts, it is sad that the president still had the time to be in celebratory mood in Kano and Ibadan, at a time that the bereaved families were still counting their losses and victims were still writhing in pain in various hospitals. Also, the fate of the abducted school girls remained unknown.

    The president’s rush to the Nyanya scene of the incident and some of the hospitals where the victims were on admission, to us, was a ruse from a deceitful leader that wanted to give the impression that he was touched by the incident. Unfortunately, President Jonathan is gradually evolving a pattern that portrays him as lacking the milk of human kindness. We recollect that last February, he was on top of his celebratory game when he and his guests clinked glasses at the wasteful centenary celebration, notwithstanding that not less than  43 school children were then just massacred in Yobe State. He did not even bother to visit the state or the parents of the unfortunate kids to commiserate with them.

    President Jonathan is obviously more interested in keeping his job at whatever cost than in protecting lives and property in the nation. There is a huge disconnect between the government and the governed. Save for the regrettable political culture of docility among Nigerians, the contempt espoused by this presidency for Nigerians is enough to cost those in power their positions. The president routinely engages in acts that debase his office, otherwise, how can it be explained that he would descend so low as to be settling personal political scores with the Kano State governor at a time that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had not lifted the ban on political campaign?  To underscore the abyss of his degeneration, the president reportedly mentioned the Kano State governor’s name more than 50 times during his 15 minutes speech at the shameful political jamboree. More saddening is the fact that he travelled to Kano not to commission beneficial projects as dividends of democracy; he went there with the sole purpose of furthering his 2015 re-election ambition at a time that insecurity has blossomed to quite unacceptable levels in the country.

    Moreover, President Jonathan cannot claim non-complicity in the looming graft in the country with his indictment of the process that produced him as presidential candidate of the PDP when he said that Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State allegedly cornered the money he gave to him (Kwankwaso) for logistics for Kano delegates to the convention where he emerged as the party’s presidential candidate. Where is the much touted internal democracy in the ruling party, especially now that we know that he emerged through reproachful monetary inducement of delegates at that convention? No wonder he has condemned the proposition that a seal should be placed on campaign funds. But he failed to tell his audience how politicians in power are expected to meet the huge budget of campaigning in a graft-ridden system like ours. He also reportedly ended his speech stating to whoever cared to listen that the PDP would ‘recapture’ Kano, Sokoto and Zamfara in 2015 general election while he was also sure that the party would retain Jigawa, Kaduna and Katsina states that are currently under its control.

    The dance of shame in Kano and the insensitive adventure to a birthday bash in Ibadan at a period of national mourning merely underscore one vital point: That in President Jonathan’s view, derisory power game is more important than providing good governance to Nigerians.

  • As a repeat of 1965 beckons in Yoruba Land

    As a repeat of 1965 beckons in Yoruba Land

    But talking seriously, why would a man as  mightily blessed of God as President Jonathan elect  to tempt God,  choosing to  have a  section of the country he governs, under God, be recklessly  declared  a war zone

    It is extremely unfortunate that for reasons of immaturity, self-centredness, even self-importance, African political leaders never learn from history, but instead, unerringly allow history to repeat itself as tragedy. Southwest Nigeria, no thanks to President Jonathan, and his party the PDP, is fast regressing into the anomie of the 1965 West Regional Election era, about which the following was written: ‘… amid widespread charges of voting irregularities, Akintola’s NNDP, supported by its NPC ally, scored an impressive ‘victory’ in November. There were extensive protests, including considerable grumbling among senior army officials, at the apparent perversion of the democratic process. In the six months after the election, an estimated 2,000 people died in violence, called WETIE – i.e douse him/her with petrol- that erupted in the Western Region’. Interested readers should go to: http://www.mongabay.com/history/nigeria.

    If the motivation in 1965 was the urge to solidify the Hausa-Fulani hegemony over the entire country, President Jonathan’s 2015 ambition is the leitmotif for the current looming Armageddon in Yoruba land. In 1965, the NNDP, in which the respected father of Femi Fani-Kayode was the second ranking member, told the world that whether or not the Yoruba electorate voted for its candidates, their party will win the election. Femi Fani-Kayode’s recent rapprochement with President Jonathan is therefore certainly not a happenstance: it must be either the President reached out to him to learn how to have his candidates get elected without the electorate voting for them in the coming governorship elections in Yoruba land or the charismatic Fani-Kayode went there selling his credentials as a ringside observer of the 1965 melodrama. Today the refrain, in Ekiti for instance, is that the electorate will be banished on 21 June, 2014, such that whether

    or not Ekitis vote for Ayo Fayose, he will be declared winner. Fani-Kayode, being such a good archivist, should complete his mission by telling his distinguished host the consequences, for country, as well as for the unfortunate dramatis personae, of the 1965 heinous election rigging. The Yoruba nation has also heard, loud and clear, Vice President Sambo declare Odua land a war zone. We do not intend to ask these ‘soldiers of fortune’, these foreigners in our land of honour, not to come for their war, but we promise, in the name of Eledumare, that they will not return in one piece. The Yoruba is the David here but we do hope they remember what happened to the mighty Goliath. Yoruba land has always triumphed in such ‘wars’ beginning from the 18th century treachery of Afonja, the Are-Ona Kakanfo, to the much more recent Abacha plot to decapitate us and lay our land to waste. And when we see the roles being played by some Yoruba elements

    in all these, we are poignantly reminded that the same Afonja, against the tradition of never attacking Ife, Yoruba’s spiritual citadel, not only sacked Apomu, but marched on the capital, Oyo-Ile, to demand the abdication of Alafin Aole confirming that internal treachery is not new to Yoruba land. But in all cases, they always ended up miserably, both they, and their dastardly causes.[

    But talking seriously, why would a man as mightily blessed of God as President Jonathan elect to tempt God, choosing to have a section of the country he governs, under God, be recklessly declared a war zone, when all we seek is to be able to democratically elect who to rule over us?

    I continue to pray that President Jonathan will be restrained in the pursuit of his 2015 ambition. Without a scintilla of doubt, I know it is not that he loves Fayose or Omisore so, or cares that much about Yoruba land he once told Nigerians is populated by rascals. I am sure that what is playing out is that once the North East has played into his hands, and everything is now being done to ensure that elections do not hold there in 2015, the next major challenge for the President and his Think Tank, is how to also have the Southwest vote consumed by a raging inferno he would have set in place courtesy unprecedented post-election crisis, as there is no way this President will get away with rigging elections in Yoruba land. The history books are there for those who need to learn valuable lessons.

    We are well aware that as part of preparations for the looming apocalypse, the President has meticulously put in place a group whose history, to the last man, the Yoruba people know only too well. While we know that for Buruji Kashamu this is all about business, not so for the quartet of Fayose, Omisore, Obanikoro and Jelili, a group to which Alao Akala would soon be added. I came to that conclusion during the past week after I read that the court has declared he has a case to answer in the N11.5 Billion case instituted against him by the EFFC. He should, therefore, be a perfect fit for PDP’s candidature.

    The above are the reason our people must appreciate what is afoot in our home land, especially what our political enemies have in stock for us. It is heartwarming to note that this is already happening.

    It was fascinating, for instance, seeing members of the Ekiti E-11 on the Ekiti state television morning of Thursday, 17 April, 2014, reminding our people of where exactly we are coming from and how, at the instance of these same federal elements, Ekiti had nine governors in eight years whereas Lagos state had two in fifteen. They equally reminded all Ekiti of the mayhem and bloodletting of those years of the locust compared to today’s relative peace.

    More harrowing, however, is the likely overall consequences of President Jonathan’s plot to ‘pacify Yoruba land for his 2015 presidential ambition. A determined group of concerned Yoruba patriots, already working to thwart these evil plans, has summarised the situation as follows: ‘Yoruba land is being assailed. The adversaries are tugging at our softest underbelly. There is great insult on our collective sensibilities. The core of what we stand for as a people, our ethos, our values and our heritage are being assaulted. A Fayose in Ekiti, an Omisore in Osun, and possibly, an Alao-Akala (or the likes of him) in Oyo, people who ill-represent core Yoruba values, are being arranged from Abuja to once again, intrude into our development process and set us back one more time. They are telling us that we should reject the likes of Fashola, Fayemi and Aregbesola and welcome with open arms these sorts of individuals. They have let on the loose the likes of Obanikoro and Adesiyan – a Minister of Police Affairs ludicrously nominated solely on the say so of an Omisore – to carry out invidious assignments against us. ( We are reliably informed they are already training some of their fake policemen/thugs in Badagry and Ojota, for instance). If care is not taken, and if all hands don’t come on deck, they will succeed and we will be in trouble. We would once again have to contend with another cycle of brigandage, mis-governance, underdevelopment and unimaginable setback, which God forbids.

    WE MUST THEREFORE SAY NO, even on the pain of death!

    They have no faith in the ballot box; otherwise we would have said bring it on. But their style is to act with impunity and they would most probably stop at nothing to ensure that our votes do not count. We must therefore be ready and vigilant. The Yoruba nation must never return to Egypt. We must square up to them with intelligence. We must ensure that they fail miserably. Yoruba land, the most politically important empire in these parts from the mid-17th to the late 18th century, holding sway over large parts of some nearby neigbouring countries, notably the Fon Kingdom and that of Dahomey in modern day Republic of Benin, will never again be sold on the cheap by these marauding buccaneers.

  • President Jonathan’s parallel messages

    President Jonathan’s parallel messages

    My intention in the next few weeks, other things being equal, is to follow the schedule of the National Conference. Last week, before its adjournment for logistic reasons, Conference leaders alerted the public to its agenda. It would start the conference with a discussion of President Jonathan’s address at the inauguration of the conference on Monday, March 17, 2014. This is commendable. It is Mr. President’s conference and there is no doubt that his vision for the conference and his hopes for a good outcome could be an invigorating starting point for delegates. This is why I also choose to take a look at the president’s address to the conference in this piece.

    I see two parallel messages in the president’s approach to the conference and both are implicated in his address. First, the president recognizes and does not shy away from the diversity of the country. Indeed, some would say that he endorses and encourages that diversity with his extension of invitation to groups, including nationality groups, professional organizations, and civil society groups. “You come to the (National) Conference as nominees and representatives of different interest groups,” President Jonathan observed.

    Second, however, as the Number One Citizen, the president is mindful of his responsibility to protect and promote the national interest. He must therefore not be seen as encouraging division. Hence, his message to the conference delegates: “I call upon you to put the best interest of Nigeria before all other sectional or group interests.” Indeed, a very close look at Jonathan’s address shows this message as the dominant one. Thus he finds it “regrettable that there are persons who believe that we cannot undertake any collective task in our country without the hindrance of ethnic rivalry even after 100 years of nationhood.”

    The combination of the two messages above appears innocent and indeed, many would argue, statesmanlike. The president recognizes the reality of diversity, but he also prioritizes national interest and admonishes delegates to embrace his vision. That is what presidents do, even if the reality that they face and acknowledge is starker with dire consequences.

    It is not only presidents that are forced to confront the dilemma of reconciling the obviousness of diverse interests with the urgency of promoting national interest. Philosophical reflections have focused on the dilemma as well, and this is to be expected since philosophy is second order reflection on reality. While idealists see a national interest that is over and above any individual interests, liberals conceive of national interest as nothing more than the summation of individual interests. Collective interest, for liberals, is at best a myth, and at worst, a deceptive parade of private interests as collective interest.

    Liberals are more realistic and down-to-earth honest in their approach to political discourse and practice than idealists. A standard conception of politics is that it is the institution that determines “who gets what, where, and when?” Another way of putting this is that it is the forum for sharing goods and services and deciding whose interests are favored. If this is true, and I am almost sure that no delegate to the national conference will honestly deny that a good outcome for them and for their involvement in this conference is that their group, if not individual interests, are favored. Voting, here, as in the larger political context, is the registration of interests, whether as individuals or as groups. I register mine; you register yours. Depending on the procedure we adopt, you may win or I do. This being the case, it is unrealistic, and may indeed amount to demanding the impossible, to ask delegates, as representatives of particular group interests, to jettison such interests in favor of an undefined national interest.

    Of course, that it is unrealistic does not stop one from trying. We just saw Jonathan try. And before our very eyes, delegates did not allow him to completely step out the door before group interests seeking recognition and advancement flooded the floor of the conference. As of the second full day of deliberations, they had not agreed on modalities for making decisions in the absence of unanimity.

    Idealism thrives on mythic thinking and Rousseau was the 18th century champion of political mythmaking. Seeing the state of nature as morally depraved, he welcomes the political association formed by social contractors as the best thing that can happen to members. The state of nature is the state in which there is no political authority and where anarchy makes moral norms impossible. Human beings in such a state would want to quit it and voluntarily form a political association. Once they succeed, they have traded their private interests for the general interest, that is, their interest as members of the political association. They will rationally do so because to do otherwise would risk going back to the state of nature which no one wants to do.

    The practical consequence of this, for Rousseau, is that when these individual members of the new political community meet to discuss issues pertaining to the community, they must come without any attention to their private interests and each of them must vote on the basis of what is good for the community. Rousseau goes on to assume that since everyone will abide by this injunction, decisions could be reached unanimously and whatever decision is so taken must be considered as the general interest. But, of course, there may be outliers whose votes are not in consonance with those of the others. Well, that is too bad because it follows that those outliers have not purged themselves of their private interests. They must therefore be forced to comply with the decision of the super majority. But, for Rousseau, that is actually not forcing them at all because it is really freeing them from the shackles of private interest-forcing them to be free, an oxymoron of the highest order.

    Surely, our President is no Rousseau, and he is certainly not in the business of forcing citizens to be free. But his charge to make national interest a priority in the deliberations of the conferees comes close to an idealist proposition. In fact, I would argue that Rousseau has a more valid basis for making that charge than the president. In the context of Rousseau’s charge, those citizens that just emerged from the state of nature have a greater interest in keeping their new political community from falling apart than they have in going back to the state of nature. In the case of Nigeria, citizens did not emerge from state of nature. They had their pre-colonial communities. They had their pre-amalgamation provinces. Lastly, they had their pre-military regions. Rightly or wrongly, the majority of the conferees still see themselves in the light of these entities from which they evolved. They can happily go back if the Nigerian project failed and their interest in this alternative reality has been variously expressed.

    What is even more relevant is that the president himself acknowledges this reality and endorses it by inviting delegates to the conference as representatives of various group interests. But you cannot eat your cake of national interest and still have it. You cannot invite delegates to represent primordial interests only to rail against those interests: “Indeed, I am quite worried when I hear people say that some participants in this National Conversation are coming here to defend and promote ethnic or clannish agenda,” says President Jonathan. Really? How can Mr. President be worried? The Presidential Advisory Committee went around the country soliciting inputs from those “clannish” interest groups. The committee presented its recommendation advising the President on which groups to invite. The President accepted the recommendations. Is he now seriously worried that those interests represented by real people are threats to the national interest? What is the national interest anyway? This question will be dealt with next week.

  • Jonathan kicks against nuclear terrorism

    Jonathan kicks against nuclear terrorism

    * Backs nuclear energy for developmental purposes

    President Goodluck Jonathan Monday reaffirmed Nigeria’s full commitment to the global fight against the threat of nuclear terrorism.

    But that Nigeria, under his leadership, will continue to pursue efforts to harness nuclear energy and technology for socio-economic development.

    This was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, while speaking to the third global security summit at the Hague in the Netherlands.

    While Nigeria will continue to support all efforts against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, Jonathan said that the world must respect the right of countries to the peaceful use of nuclear energy for development purposes.

    He said: “As a developing country, Nigeria needs to harness nuclear technology for socio-economic development. It is for this reason we subscribe to the view that international and regional cooperation efforts should be based on the principle of maintaining a balance between nuclear non-proliferation obligations and the inalienable right of States to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy for development purposes.”

    “While this is important, we would also like to draw attention to the need to maintain the highest standards of nuclear safety and security in establishing peaceful nuclear facilities,” he added.

    Towards Nigeria’s commitment to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and the peaceful use of nuclear technology, he said that the Federal Government has submitted an executive bill to the National Assembly to accommodate the country’s obligations under international treaties on nuclear safety and security.

    He went on: “Nigeria accords high priority to all global efforts towards ending the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, including nuclear weapons.”

    “To this end, Nigeria has since the last Summit in Seoul, strengthened the legal framework for fighting terrorism through the adoption in 2013, of an amendment to its Terrorism (Prevention) Act, thus ensuring the implementation of more robust counter-terrorism measures in the country.”

    “Nigeria’s ratification of some international treaties and conventions in the realm of nuclear safety, security and safeguards has necessitated the review of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority Act resulting in the recent decision of the Government to submit a new Bill to Parliament for consideration and passage into law in order to accommodate our obligations under these instruments.”

    “The instruments include the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials and its amended version of 2005, the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. The intention of the bill is to ensure the fulfillment of Nigeria’s international and national Nuclear Safety, Security, Safeguards and radiation protection obligations, by domesticating the international treaties. The bill is presently awaiting passage by the National Assembly.”

    “Furthermore, as part of the outcome of the 2nd Nuclear Security Summit held in Seoul, South Korea in 2010, States Parties were urged on voluntary basis, to embark on the process of converting their reactors from the use of Highly Enriched Uranium to Lowly Enriched Uranium.”

    “Consequently, Nigeria is working in collaboration with the United States of America and China for the conversion of Nigeria’s limited stock of Highly Enriched Uranium used in its research reactor to Lowly Enriched Uranium,” Jonathan said.

    According to him, one of the main objectives of the Nuclear Security Summit was to reduce the amount of dangerous nuclear materials in the world by preventing materials that can be used to produce nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists and unauthorized non-state actors.

    He said that Nigeria supports the immediate commencement and early conclusion of negotiations on a “non-discriminatory, multi-lateral and internationally and effectively verifiable treaty banning the production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons”.

    He commended the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon for establishing a Group of Governmental Experts which will begin work in Geneva next week on the proposal.

    He said: “Nigeria shares the view that fewer nuclear weapons translate into more nuclear security while at the same time reducing the risk of proliferation.”

    “But it is even more important that States as represented at this Summit demonstrate the necessary political will to embark on the path towards the ultimate goal of total and complete nuclear disarmament under strict and effective international control,” Jonathan stated.

    He thanked the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr. Mark Rutte for hosting the summit and commended President Barack Obama who was present at the opening ceremony “for his continued leadership of this important project”

    Other world leaders participating in the summit include President Xi Jinping of China, Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, President Francois Hollande of France, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, the President of South Korea, Ms. Park Geun-hye and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki Moon.

     

  • 2015: Court strikes out eligibility suit against President Jonathan

    2015: Court strikes out eligibility suit against President Jonathan

    The Federal High Court in Kaduna on Monday struck out a suit challenging the eligibility of President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2015 general election.

    The suit, instituted by Shuaibu Lili and one other, had sought a declaration barring the president from contesting the 2015 presidential election.

    Counsel to the plaintiffs, Mohammed Ibrahim, had argued that Jonathan haven been sworn twice into office as president has no constitutional right to contest for the post again.

    He cited Sections 145, 142 and 146 of the Constitution which limits the tenure of the president and governors to a maximum of eight years.

    The plaintiffs had also sought for an order to restrain the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), joined as defendant, from fielding Jonathan as its presidential candidate in 2015.

    In her ruling Justice Evlyn Enya-Dike, said the plaintiffs had failed to convince the court in all the prayers they sought, and struck out the case.

    She said that Jonathan was yet to obtain or declared formally his intention to contest, adding that the suit was “at best hypothetical, preemptive, speculative and mere conjunctures’’.

    Enya-Dike also said that Section 308 of the Constitution insulated the President from civil and criminal actions until he vacates office, adding that the plaintiffs also lacked locus-standi to institute the case.

    “The plaintiffs,’’ she said, “had failed to show that they would suffer any special damage more than any member of the public if the president contests in 2015.’’

    The judge, however, did not make any declaration on whether the suit was an abuse of court process.

    Enya-Dike, however, dismissed the case without any cost.

    Reacting to the judgement, counsels to Jonathan and PDP, Mr Nnamdi Ekwem, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision.

    On his part, Ibrahim said they would appeal the ruling, contending that there were many flaws in the judgment.

  • Jonathan to launch 2nd Niger bridge next week

    Jonathan to launch 2nd Niger bridge next week

    President Goodluck Jonathan said on Tuesday in Abuja that he would do the “real ground-breaking” ceremony for the second Niger Bridge in Anambra on March 10.

    The president said this on Tuesday when he received a delegation of Anambra people led by Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, and Gov. Peter Obi.

    The delegation, which also included the governor-elect of the state, Willie Obiano, was on a thank-you and solidarity visit to the president.

    Jonathan said that the launch of the construction work on the bridge was in keeping with his promise to the people of Anambra,

    He explained that he could have launched the project long ago with fanfare but government must show commitment to its execution.

    He said that with proper planning and funding now put in place, he was ready to start the project in earnest.

    “The Minister of Works has briefed me that they have done a lot of mobilisation; we are coming to do real ground breaking ceremony of the second Niger Bridge and other projects,” he said.

    It will be recalled that the president had, during a recent visit to the state, pledged to launch the construction of the bridge before Obi leaves office on March 17.

    He commended Obi for maintaining a cordial relationship with the Federal Government.

    He also used the opportunity to admonish other elected officials and politicians to focus on developing their states rather than make a past-time of attacking and abusing the president.

    “A number of politicians feel that the best thing to do is to be abusing Mr. President, abusing the Federal Government and so on.

    “You are elected to develop your state and I think the best thing is to have good relationship with the centre; whether you have a pin or you do not have but one day it will come.

    “Wearing boxing gloves, jumping into the boxing ring to face Mr. President does not help the development of any state.”

    The president specifically commended Obi for his people-oriented programmes and for managing an opposition-controlled state assembly without a crisis.

    He pledged to give his successor, Willie Obiano, equal support to help him succeed.

    The president also promised to retain Obi in the Federal Government’s Economic Management Team even after he leaves office as state governor.

    Earlier, Obi had said that it would be difficult for a state governor to make meaningful impact without the support of the Federal Government.

    He specifically thanked the president for the support given to his state.

    “I have been governor under three presidents and I know the difference.

    “Anambra state is your home and we are committed to supporting you and your government,” he said.

  • Jonathan lauds Emir for peaceful co-existence in Kwara

    Jonathan lauds Emir for peaceful co-existence in Kwara

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday commended the foresight of the Emir of IIorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, for ensuring peaceful co-existence among the people of the state.

    Jonathan made this observation when he called on the Emir at his palace in IIorin.

    The President, accompanied by his vice, Alhaji Namadi Sambo, some ministers and governors, expressed happiness at the harmony and unity that Kwara was known for.

    He thanked the Royal Father for working with other government agencies towards ensuring sustenance of peace in the state.

    Jonathan urged the Emir not to relent in maintaining the already existing peace in order to ensure sustained peace in the state.

    The President told the Emir that he was in the state to ginger up members of the Peoples Democratic Party for the forthcoming general election.

    Earlier, the Emir, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-gambari, had told the President that peace, unity and love would continue to reign supreme in the state.

    The monarch, who described Kwara as gateway to North and South of Nigeria, assured the President that efforts would be made to ensure continuous peace in the state.

    The Chief Imam of IIorin, Alhaji Mohammed Bashir, offered special prayer for peace, unity, love and understanding in the state and the country.