The Nation Newspaper

Tag: President Jonathan

  • MEND backs Buhari for Presidency

    MEND backs Buhari for Presidency

    The presidential candidate of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), on Tuesday gained an unusual support as the main agitating militant group in the Niger Delta, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), pledged its total support for the former military ruler.

    MEND, in a lengthy press statement circulated through email by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, anchored its decision on the need to deliver Nigeria, especially the Niger Delta region, from the crunching effects of corruption.

    It also lamented the unconcerned attitude of the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration at the unrelenting degradation of the Niger Delta environment, taking a hard stance on the increasing level of oil theft in the region.

    President Jonathan, according to MEND, does not deserve a second more in the Presidency.

    The group also commended Buhari for proposing to scrap the office of the First Lady, which it considered to be a drain on the nation’s resources and a conduit through which corrupt government officials stole across all levels of government.

    It said, “The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has, upon careful consideration of the state of the nation, endorses and fully supports the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Gen. Mohammadu Buhari.

    “Our decision to throw our full support on Gen. Mohammadu Buhari stems from the pathetic state in which the country has been put by the government of Goodluck Jonathan and our strong believe in Buhari as the man and change the country needs.

    “President Goodluck Jonathan does not deserve a second more in the Presidency as soon as his tenure expires as he has continuously and blatantly disregarded the very people who voted him into office.

    “A President that told Nigerian to their faces that he does not ‘give a damn’ when asked to declare his assets. A requirement that is constitutional on assuming the office of the President.

    “President Jonathan, since assuming his office, has setup countless committees, whose reports have never been implemented. From the Nuhu Ribadu report to the KPMG and fuel subsidy reports, just to mention a few.

    “How can Nigerians expect a highly corrupt person like Goodluck Jonathan to fight corruption when he believes that stealing is not corruption, as he shamelessly told the Nation?

    “He has proven beyond all reasonable doubt, his inability to tackle corruption or prosecute a single government official in his six years in office.

    “MEND finds it laughable the recent statement by Goodluck Jonathan on his government’s plan to fight corruption. This statement not only smacks of ignorance of the highest order, but also shows just how stupid he thinks Nigerians are. A president that had six years to tackle the problem but chose to shield corrupt government officials, joined in the looting of our resources and now has the temerity to say his government has a plan to fight corruption. This is a big slap in the face of every single Nigerian!

    “We re-state our disregard and lack of confidence in President Goodluck Jonathan. Rather than address the perennial issues in the country responsible for his administrations failures, he is concentrating government funds in a campaign of misinformation intended to hoodwink Nigerians who, unfortunately for him, are now wiser and smarter than he is.

    “Goodluck Jonathan’s actions, utterances and arrogance prove that he is totally disconnected with the situation facing the ordinary Nigerian and completely out of touch with reality.”

     

  • Jonathan will campaign in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa – Gana

    Jonathan will campaign in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa – Gana

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will take President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election campaign train to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and other states ravaged by Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeastern part of the country.

    The Chairman of the PDP fundraising dinner and former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, stated this in Abuja on Monday.

    Gana is also the Director, Contact and Mobilisation of the President’s campaign organasation.

    Towns and villages in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States have come under bloody attacks by Boko Haram insurgents. Several towns and villages have been seized by the sect members, with hundreds of innocents citizens killed, maimed and abducted by insurgents on a daily basis.

    Gana said: “As the Director, Contact and Mobilisation, yes, we will go to the North East, the campaign organisation is going to be inaugurated today (Monday) and because we are organised, the programme is ready.

    “North East is in our programme and in fact we are going to campaign in Maiduguri, Yobe and everywhere else and by the grace of God, we shall come back.”
    Speaking on the chances of the PDP in the February elections, Prof. Gana said the electorates will go for capacity and experience.

    “People will go for experience and capacity and not those that will be experimenting with the new house because we don’t know whether the new house will last after the election.

    “People who want to be stable build on solid rock, which is the PDP. The other one is the sand and when you build on sand, it may scatter. Please advise Nigerians to vote for the party that is on the rock.

    “This is a critical year for Nigeria, but it will all go well. There won’t be violence, the elections will be free and fair. The winner will be clear, Nigeria will not break up. Anyone who says Nigeria will be divided will be disappointed because Nigerians have become very mature politicians and democrats.”

  • Jonathan’s performance in transport unprecedented – PDP

    Jonathan’s performance in transport unprecedented – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the performance of President Goodluck Jonathan in the transport and aviation sectors as unprecedented.

    In a statement on Tuesday, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh said the party and, indeed, “all well-meaning Nigerians” are happy with the on-going transformation in these key sectors that support greater economic productivity in the country.

    The statement said: “Under President Jonathan, rail services have returned, boosting not only commerce but also national integration. Today, the Lagos-Ibadan- Osogbo-Ilorin-Minna-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano narrow gauge has been rehabilitated with improved fast coaches providing regular services. The Enugu-Port Harcourt-Enugu intercity train has been opened for operations while container cargo freight services from Apapa port complex have commenced.

    “Already, rehabilitation works on the Port Harcourt-Aba-Umuahia-Enugu-Markurdi-Lafia-Kuru-Bauchi-Gombe-Ashaka-Maiduguri, as well as the branch line from Kafanchan to Kaduna are at completion stages and will be operational soon.

    “In the same vein, work on the Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge rail line has reached advanced stage and is expected to become operational in the first quarter of 2015. This is in addition to the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri standard gauge line, which is projected to resume full operation by the middle of 2015.

    “Other segments of the new standard gauge speed train network are planned, with contract already awarded for the Lagos–Ibadan segment. Already, a Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of a new railway line that will run from Lagos to Calabar, extending to the Obudu Cattle Ranch has been signed.

    “Passengers carried by rail has increased from one million in 2012 to 4.2 million in 2013 and still growing with the opening of new lines in 2014.

    “On land transportation, the investment friendly environment created by the Jonathan administration has resulted in increased participation of private individuals and companies in road mass transit, including those funded through SURE-P and other financing windows, thereby reducing the land transport challenges faced by Nigerians.”

    Giving an overview of the achievements in the water transport sector, the party noted that the dredging of the River Escavos and the Niger from Warri to Baro in Niger State and the inland city ports in Onitsha have since been completed to create the much desired inland water channel for movement of personnel and goods.

    “This is in addition to the acceleration of the dredging work at the Lokoja axis and the opening of coastal transport services. In the last three years, over 6.7 million passengers and over 1.6 million tonnes of cargo have been moved through this channel.

    “In the same vein, extensive port reforms by the administration have paved the way for availability of 24 hour services with clearing time reduced from 39 days to seven days for trouble-free cargo.

    “On aviation, it is incontrovertible that this sector, which in the past was denied desired attention, has been revamped and repositioned by President Jonathan.
    “In line with the President’s Transformation Agenda, the Aviation Ministry and its parastatals were immediately restructured while obsolete infrastructure were either replaced or upgraded in all the major airports across the country in line with international best practices,” the statement added.

  • Jonathan will win 2015 election – Dickson

    Jonathan will win 2015 election – Dickson

    The Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has predicted victory for President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election.

    The governor also urged voters in the state to obtain their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and get ready for the general election.

    Dickson further appealed to the people of the state to pray for the Jonathan-led Federal Government to overcome the difficult circumstances facing the administration.

    He spoke on Monday at the last edition of the state’s monthly praise night at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa.

    Dickson claimed that Jonathan’s scorecard and credibility would fetch him victory in 2015.

    “With constant prayers from Bayelsans and leaders at all levels, he would emerge victorious, because God answers prayers.

    “I wish all Bayelsans Merry Christmas and a prosperous crises-free 2015, there will be security and peace across the land,” he said.

    Going prophetic, Dickson said: “There will be unprecedented progress and development in the land of Bayelsa in the New Year.

    “I thank God for his mercies for the state, the crises-free election and tremendous level of infrastructural development across the state.”

    Dickson commended the state Peoples Democratic Party for conducting what he described as rancour-free party primaries, noting that there was “no victor no vanquished.”

    The governor used the occasion to renew his call on all registered voters across the state to collect their PVCs, disclosing that over 75 per cent of voters have already collected theirs.

    Earlier, in his sermon, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. Israel Ege, admonished Bayelsans to fear God and praise Him as that will turn around every negative situation the state is going through.

     

  • Students vow to mobilize against Jonathan’s re-election

    Students vow to mobilize against Jonathan’s re-election

    The students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife have vowed to mobilize students across the nation against President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election, unless he fulfill his promise to reduce university’s tuition fees without delay.

    Under the aegis of the Students Union Government, they said reduction of school fees was among other demands by the students.

    According to a statement by the Students Union President, Isaac Ibikunle and Secretary, Bamidele Oludare; “We in OAU may have no other option but to mobilize our rank and file against the Jonathan/Sambo second term ambition if these demands are not met immediately.

    “Exigency and need for accountability demands that we remind the Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of his promise to the Great Ife community as well as Nigerian students at large.

    “Nigerian students historically have permanently occupied the position of the conscience of the nation as well as the voice of the downtrodden. We have submitted a protest letter to Mr. President containing the following demands among others.

    “That our hiked fees be reversed to status quo and embargo placed on increment in other federal institutions. That the welfare conditions of students be improved vis a vis construction and equipping of qualitative hostel buildings, lecture theatres, laboratories etc.

    “That the Federal Government  follow the UNESCO twenty six percent budgetary allocation to education as such that education be properly funded by the government as hike in fees have become the culture of Nigerian tertiary institutions at all levels to fund themselves.

    “December 28 marks one full month of the President’s visit to our campus. Your Excellency sir, we believe that our demands are the least that can be done by your government as far as education is concerned.

    “We are not oblivious of the stressful demands on governance as well as efforts being made towards securing your second term in office. However, we as the conscience of the nation and the leaders of today consider meeting these few demands of ours as practically exigent national needs that could even have effect on your second term bid.

    “Despite the six months of our life given to the ASUU struggle in 2013, many of us have had course to stay home for some 2 or 3 more months in 2014 due to struggles against hike in fees. We in OAU may have no other option but to mobilize our rank and file against the Jonathan/Sambo second term campaign if these demands are not met immediately.”

     

  • 2015: Jonathan vows to empower INEC for free, fair elections

    2015: Jonathan vows to empower INEC for free, fair elections

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday promised that his administration will give all necessary support to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deliver free, fair and credible elections next year.

    He made the promise in his Christmas message to the nation.

    Jonathan also promised to give the necessary supports to the national security agencies to ensure peaceful and violence-free election towards strengthening democracy in the country.

    He said: “Dear Compatriots, we are also celebrating this Christmas against the background of preparations for next year’s general elections. I seize this opportunity to reassure the nation that my administration will give the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) all necessary support to ensure that it delivers very free, fair, credible and acceptable elections in 2015.”

    “National security agencies will also be given all necessary support to enhance their ability to ensure that the elections which should strengthen democracy in our country are peaceful and violence free.”

    He also urged the political class to be law- abiding and place the greater interests of Nigeria above all personal or sectional interests in the countdown to the elections.

    “Let us all be more statesman-like, conduct issues-based campaigns, and eschew the promotion of falsehood, division and hatred of others as we seek the votes of our countrymen in what should be a peaceful competition among contending points of view for the progress and development of our dear nation.

    “I remain convinced that God Almighty is still with us as a nation even in the midst of our current challenges which we shall surely overcome with greater unity of purpose, dedication, commitment and perseverance,” he added.

    The President also urged all Christians and non-Christians to reflect more deeply on the virtues and ideals which the Messiah, Jesus Christ, espoused during his earthly mission.

     

  • Jonathan hails improved economic ties with Ethiopia

    Jonathan hails improved economic ties with Ethiopia

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday commended the cordial bilateral relations between Nigeria and Ethiopia.

    This, he said, has encouraged leading Nigerian companies to establish branches in the Horn of Africa nation.

    He spoke in Abuja while receiving the outgoing Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ali Abdo Suleiman.

    Jonathan noted that economic ties between both countries have improved significantly in the last three years.

    He also observed that the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between both countries has resulted in regular flights from Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, to four major cities in Nigeria – Abuja, Lagos, Enugu and Kano.

    The President commended the outgoing ambassador for working hard to boost trade and economic relations between Nigeria and Ethiopia during his tenure in Abuja.

    Amb. Suleiman, who served in Abuja for three years, told the President he was leaving with very happy memories of Nigeria.

    He thanked President Jonathan for the support and cooperation he received from the Federal Government which, he said, had greatly helped to facilitate the expansion of trade and economic relations between Nigeria and Ethiopia.

  • Jonathan seeks ‘hall of shame’ for criminals

    Jonathan seeks ‘hall of shame’ for criminals

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday pushed for a designated place to be created and named “Hall of Shame” where names of criminals and societal misfits will be documented.

    Stressing that he muted the idea while he was the Governor of Bayelsa State, the President said that it will serve as deterrence to those who may want to indulge in criminality in the country.

    The President gave the suggestion on Tuesday while receiving the Legends of Nollyhood, led by its Chairman Paul Obaziele, who conferred on him the title of Grand Patron of the body at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, immortalizing the names of criminals in the proposed hall of shame would make families and youth not to be attracted to crimes that could bring shame to their names.

    He said: “I heard you saying that you are planning a Hall of Fame, I think we should start thinking of having a hall of shame where the names of criminals would be written. This will serve as a deterrent to those who may want to indulge in criminal activities as they would not want to soil their family names.”

    Acknowledging the contributions made by the actors and actresses in the film industry, he eulogized them for contributing to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    He said that the Nollyhood actors have done the nation proud by projecting its culture positively within and outside the country.

    Jonathan noted that the country used to be proud of soccer stars in the recent past but since the national team has begun to disappoint the nation, the Nollyhood has overtaken them.

    He called on the actors to help project agriculture positively in their movies so that youngsters could develop interest in going into the business.

    The President assured them of government’s support for the production of such movies.

    Speaking earlier, Obaziele sought for more support from the government in terms of welfare.

    He also requested for comprehensive health insurance and pension schemes be created for actors and actresses and the provision of accommodation for those who cannot afford decent housing.

     

  • Jonathan tasks Royal Fathers on 2015 elections

    Jonathan tasks Royal Fathers on 2015 elections

    Towards a smooth 2015 general election, the Federal Government has appealed to traditional rulers across the country to enlighten their subjects on peaceful conduct during and after the elections.

    President Goodluck Jonathan made the appeal, according to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President, Umar Sani, in his address at the 7th General Assembly of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), with the theme: “Sustaining the natural mandate of the traditional institutions in contemporary Nigeria.”

    Jonathan, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, acknowledged the unifying force and the tremendous contributions of the traditional institution in maintaining peace and stability in the country.

    He said “As royal fathers and traditional rulers, such a time calls for your wise counsel and the enlightenment of your subjects as well as prayers to ensure hitch-free and successful elections across the federation.

    “The role of the traditional institutions as the custodian of our rich cultural heritage has contributed immensely to ensuring high moral standard amongst the citizenry and must be greatly appreciated.”

    He also called on the royal fathers to join hands with governments at all levels to ensure the end of the surmountable security challenges in the country.

    President Jonathan further informed the royal fathers that government was doing everything necessary to uplift the socio-economic status of Nigerians, through job and wealth creation mechanisms.

    The Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and also the Governor Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, while lauding the traditional rulers for their dexterity, urged them to come up with holistic traditional mechanisms to address the security and socio-economic challenges in the country.

    Earlier the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, reaffirmed the commitment of the royal fathers to the peace, unity, justice and stability of the nation, while also urging government to positively look into their recommendations.

  • Divine Jonathan?

    Divine Jonathan?

    Okupe’s comparison of President Jonathan to Jesus Christ is sycophancy bordering on apostasy.  It can only further diminish his embattled principal

    Again and again, Dr. Doyin Okupe, the Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, has proved that he is as much a misfit as the position he occupies is aberrant.

    We wish to state upfront that the position Okupe occupies in the Presidency is not only an ill-conceived new-day contraption, it is excess to requirement; while the nature and temperament of the office and its occupant may well be doing more harm to the institution of the Presidency than good.

    Last Monday’s faux pas by Okupe, in comparing his principal to Jesus Christ, is just one more in the series of his ill-digested and lazy responses to public discourse since he assumed office. Speaking during a programme, Sunrise Daily, on Channels Television, Okupe said that President Jonathan is like Jesus Christ because “He is bearing the burden of everybody.”

    Beyond the above, Okupe’s response to questions and handling of issues of sensitive national import, raised all through the programme, are pointers to his utter lack of rigour and, indeed, seriousness. He showed no deep understanding of the key issues raised; and does not seem to appreciate the magnitude of the problems assailing the nation at this critical turning point of Nigeria’s history. His answers were vacuous; just as he appeared lackadaisical all through the programme.

    For example, on the woeful power situation in the country, particularly in the last quarter of this year, Okupe in one breath said power equipment were expensive which made generation and distribution companies to borrow billions of dollars; and in another, he submitted that government’s efforts to improve power was being sabotaged by politicians who sponsored vandals to attack gas pipelines just to make government appear incompetent.

    On the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast of Nigeria, Okupe flippantly argued that Boko Haram was a “multinational international insurgency arrangement in Nigeria.” The group, according to him, has links with ISIS, Al Qaeda and other international terrorist groups.

    And on the case of the abducted Chibok Girls that Okupe had boasted a few months ago would soon be released, all he could tell his listeners this time was that “the issue of the Chibok Girls was an emotional tragedy that we must bear with fortitude,” suggesting that such atrocities as abduction, rape and murder were common in war.

    If we forgave these infantile outpourings as part of his dubious call of duty; if we take Okupe’s mumbo-jumbo as part of the fair game and propaganda in a time of political ‘warfare’, to what do we blame his banal and off-hand reference to Christ?

    First, this shows clearly that Okupe is not a Christian and if he were, we now know the kind of Christian he is. No true Christian would contemplate such utter irreverence, if not blasphemy, as to compare any living mortal or deity at that, with Christ.

    It is also a clear pointer to the irresponsibility he brings to his so-called job. Had he paused a moment to reflect, he would have reckoned that such a statement would be highly insensitive to the Christian community and to true Christians anywhere. Crasser still, how could any serious Nigerian begin to compare President Goodluck Jonathan to Jesus Christ? This is obtuse propaganda taken too far.

    His postulation that Jonathan is a humble persona who bears the burden of Nigerians is a farce. President Jonathan voluntarily presented himself for the number one job in the land and, as he is doing currently, he went to great lengths seeking to be elected a president. Nigerians did not vote him because he is the most humble man in the country or so that he could bear the most burden – no.  He was voted to lead. So, he has a duty to provide quality leadership, even at the pain of paying the supreme price.

    However, if in the estimation of Okupe, Jonathan is leading well, that fact is not quite apparent to most other Nigerians. And reasons abound: corruption has become more viral in his time; power supply situation is worse today than about six years ago when he assumed office; Nigeria, an oil-producing nation, still engages in that most wasteful act of petroleum products importation at huge costs to the treasury. So many other examples of mis-governance can be adduced.

    To therefore compare Jonathan to Christ is not only to insult the intelligence of his listeners, but it was an assault and an affront to the people of Nigeria. For the benefit of Okupe, Jesus Christ, according to the Holy Bible, represents purity, holiness and confounding love. He willingly surrendered his life that man may be redeemed from the shackles of sin and life.

    In better-ordered societies, Okupe would not be deemed fit for the Presidency, not to talk of serving as the face and voice of that most crucial national monument.

    We dare say that Okupe is not adding much value to the Presidency’s public communication department. That job requires sobriety, rigour and a glistening form of candour.

    These are the qualities that would engender goodwill and endear the people to the Presidency.

    Okupe’s statement amounts to a ridicule of Christianity. An apology would be in order.