The Nation Newspaper

Tag: President

  • Alumni President seeks support

    President of Ajuwa Old Students Association, Chief John Ademoyegun has started visiting members of the association in various cities across the country to raise funds for rehabilitation of the school’s infrastructure.

    In a statement made available to The Nation, Ademoyegun urged the old boys who attended the school located in Okeagbe, Akoko in Ondo State, to support the association’s project.

    The President thanked Otunba Solomon Oladunmi, Chief Executive officer of Solton Hotel and suites, Ijapo Estate, Akure for donating N1 million to rehabilitate the science laboratory he endowed in 1996. He also thanked Oladunmi for pledging to give prizes to the best students in JSS and SSS classes in science and arts subjects to encourage their academic pursuits.

     

  • Group protests against President

    The United Nigeria Group has called for the impeachment of President Goodluck Jonathan for breaching his oath of office.

    Addressing reporters at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, the chairman of the group, Comrade Isa Tijani, said the action of the President was capable of truncating democracy. He said the group would lead a protest march to the National Assembly.

    He said that the offences committed by the President include the abuse of power, endangering democracy, reneging from the oath of office to protect and uphold the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and complicity to truncate the rule of law and other atrocities.

    The group explained that the protest had to be postponed because of the fasting period. “Our Muslims compatriots complained about fasting and combining it with demonstration that may require a lengthy trekking will not augur well.

    “The National Assembly will commence a recess on, which makes it difficult for them to do anything on it, until they return. Should we embark on it, we may risk sweeping such a burning issue under the carpet.

    “The various stakeholders have expressed concern with lack of contact in time and as such asked for little more time to ensure wider contact and consultations,” he said.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Why Sudanese President wasn’t arrested, by Foreign Ministry

    Why Sudanese President wasn’t arrested, by Foreign Ministry

    •’Al-Bashir, participants have immunity in line with AU practice’

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday explained why Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir was not arrested in Nigeria. It said by the statute of the African Union (AU), he was supposed to enjoy immunity like other delegates.

    It also said al-Bashir was in the country under the auspices of the AU and the nation owes an obligation to respect the decision of the continental body.

    The ministry said the presence of al-Bashir is a matter between the AU and the international community.

    The Ministry made the clarifications in a statement in Abuja against the backdrop of controversy trailing the presence of al-Bashir in Nigeria for the AU Summit,

    It said Nigeria is standing by the 2009 Resolution of the AU that the UN Security Council should defer the proceedings initiated against President al- Bashir in accordance with Article 16 of the Rome Statute of the International Crime Commission (ICC).

    The statement said: “With respect to the participation of H E President Omar Hassan El-Bashir of the Republic of The Sudan, it should be emphasised that Nigeria, as an active member of the continental body, is under an obligation to comply with the decision of the African Union on the Special Summit.

    “The decision to hold this Summit was taken by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. Therefore, member states do not require the invitation from Nigeria to attend. “Indeed, standard Host Country Agreements for such Summits grant privileges and immunities to all foreign participants expected at the conference, including obligations on the part of host countries to provide all the necessary facilities for the entry and exit to participants.

    “President al-Bashir was therefore in Nigeria under the auspices of the African Union, based on the Assembly decision to convene the Special Summit in Abuja, to deal with three diseases that together constitute a heavy burden on member states.”

    The Ministry urged Nigerians not to make an issue out of al-Bashir’s trip to Nigeria.

    It added: “Any attempt to make an issue out of the attendance of President al- Bashir at the AU Summit will only serve to unnecessarily shift focus away from the important objectives of the Special Summit.

    “It is, therefore, a matter between the African Union and the international community.”

    The Ministry said the Federal Government decided to stick to the 2009 resolution of the AU urging the UN Security Council to defer action against al-Bashir.

    “For the records and avoidance of doubt, Nigeria’s position in this regard is consistent with the AU Assembly decision adopted at the 13th Ordinary Session of the Heads of State and Government in Sirte, Libya on 3rd July, 2009, as it concerns President al-Bashir of The Sudan.

    “In this regard, it is worthy to recall that following the lack of action on the request by the African Union to the UN Security Council to defer the proceedings initiated against President al- Bashir in accordance with Article 16 of the Rome Statute of the ICC, the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government decided inter-alia that the “…AU Member States shall not cooperate pursuant to the provisions of Article 98 of the Rome Statute of the ICC relating to immunities, for the arrest and surrender of President Omar El-Bashir of The Sudan…”

    “The AU decision further reiterated its request to the UN Security Council and appropriate response is still being awaited to-date. As a responsible member of the AU, Nigeria has a duty to take full cognisance of this decision in the overall interest of Africa.”

     

  • Count President out of Rivers crisis, say Okupe, PDP

    Count President out of Rivers crisis, say Okupe, PDP

    Senior Special Adviser to the President on Public Affairs Dr. Doyin Okupe and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday dissociated President Goodluck Jonathan from the Rivers State political imbroglio.

    Okupe, who spoke with reporters in Abuja, said Amaechi was too small for the President to fight, adding that the crisis should be situated within the local politics of Rivers State.

    He said: “For the avoidance of doubt and at the risk of repetitiveness, we wish to state categorically that in spite of what the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) will want the Nigerian people to believe, President Goodluck Jonathan is absolutely unconnected and definitely not involved in the political crisis that seemed to have engulfed Rivers State in recent times.

    “The President is not, has not and will never engineer any act that can cause disaffection between Governor Rotimi Amaechi or any other Governor and the state legislature or any other institution of government.”

    The President’s aide insisted that since Jonathan’s election as president over two years ago, his personal and official mien had revealed a personality that has utmost respect for democracy and rule of law.

    Okupe described the position of the opposition as “condemnable, extremist and fundamentally flawed”.

    He added: “We therefore call on our distinguished and honorable parliamentarians and the general public to ignore and disregard the self-serving and unpatriotic call for impeachment of the President by the Action Congress of Nigeria.”

    In a statement yesterday, Acting National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Tony Okeke, said the call for the impeachment of the President was “malicious and the height of political irresponsibility”.

    The statement said: “President Goodluck Jonathan has continued to display commitment, candour and sincerity in handling national issues. It is therefore a sign of frustration, desperation and defeat for the opposition to call for the impeachment of the President on account of the issues in Rivers State.”

  • Senators oppose six-year single term for President, governors

    Senators oppose six-year single term for President, governors

    •Senate begins consideration of constitution review

    THE Senate is set to kill the six-year single tenure recommendation for President and Governors.

    The proposal was made by its committee on Constitution review.

    Of the 20 Senators that spoke yesterday on the recommendations of the Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution, none supported the six-year single tenure.

    The committee, headed by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, proposed the six-year single tenure.

    The Committee said: “Considering the financial expenses often associated with re-election and to ensure that executive heads are freed from the distractions to be able to concentrate on public policy issues, a provision for a single term of six (6)) years for President and Governors is made in sections 135 and 180 respectively.”

    But majority of Senators described the recommendation as an invitation to chaos and an attempt to institutionalise corruption.

    Senator Isah Galaudu (Kebbi North) said the committee failed to provide adequate justification for six-year single term.

    Galaudu described the recommendation as retrogressive, saying it would open a floodgate to loot the treasury by those who find themselves as President and governors.

    He also opposed decentralisation of prisons, saying the prison service should remain in the Exclusive List.

    Senator Clever Ikisikpo (Bayelsa East) opposed removal of the immunity clause.

    He said it will be a major source of distractions for the President and governors.

    He described the six-year single term proposal as undemocratic.

    Ikisikpo added that adoption of six-year single term will lead to corruption “because any occupier of the office would say this is my turn.”

    He supported Local Government autonomy “because this will enable them (local govts) to undertake projects that would impact on the people positively.”

    He supported mayoral status for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), but said the name should be changed.

    On 13 per cent derivation, he said that it should not be stagnant at 13 per cent.

    On assent, he said the President should be allowed to assent to the constitution.

    Senator Ahmed Lawan (Yobe North) backed the abolition of state and local government joint account and the first line charge for State Assembly.

    On six-year single tenure, he said: “This is an investment in disaster, invitation to chaos and anarchy.

    “In a democracy, the will of the people should be allowed to prevail. The people should have opportunity to elect or reject. This is what we call power to the people and not a slogan of a political party where power belongs to a few cabal.

    “Senate should throw away the baby and bath water as far as the six-year single tenure is concerned.”

    Senator Enyinnya Abaribe, noted that the problem is not with the law but its operators.

    H e said: “The state and local government joint account, the Constitution says once those funds come, the state government is to add its 10 per cent and distribute to the local government areas. Is that happening now?

    “The problem is not this law. The problem has been the operators of the Constitution who have refused to do the right thing.”

    On state creation, he asked why the committee continued to receive requests when it knew that the agitators were not doing the right thing.

    Abaribe opposed six-year single term and removal of the immunity clause and supported local government autonomy.

    Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume wanted financial autonomy for local governments and abolition of state and local government joint account.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Ndume opposed six year single term wondering “why we cherish democracy don’t like the content of democracy.

    He said, “I am thinking that we should have midterm election so that the people will be able pass a vote of confidence on us. We cherish democracy but we hate elections where the people will decide what should happen.”

    On immunity, he said that immunity should not be given in criminal acts.

    Senator Matthew Nwagwu: (Imo North) opposed six year single term.

    He said, “We supported it when we thought we will have zoning in the constitution.”

    He supported local government autonomy and abolition of state and local government joint account.

    He said that Aviation should move to the Concurrent List and said that the consent of the President on constitution should be retained.

    He said that state creation should have been considered and approved by the committee.

    He said, “We are disenfranchised at all levels. In the Senate we are short of three senators, Federal Executive Council, we are disenfranchised.

    Senator Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East) wanted that issue of granting Lagos State a Special status revisited.

    He noted that is obvious that Lagos belongs to every Nigerian.

     

  • Our cursing president

    Our cursing president

    If curses were some kind of magical instrument of statecraft, President Goodluck Jonathan would probably be the best leader on earth for if there is an art he seems to have mastered so well, it is reeling out curses to ‘enemies’ of the state. While last Saturday’s gruesome attack of a school and slaughter of pupils is nonpareil in the annals of Nigeria’s recent terror madness, the President’s stock response and numbing reaction is becoming a study in presidential paralogia.

    Nobody seems to have the accurate figure of the number of pupils killed at the Government Secondary School, Mamudo, in the Northeast state of Yobe, but it is not as much the number as the method and viciousness. Some national newspapers reported between 20 and 29 while the American wire service, Associated Press (AP) seemed quite definitive about 42 dead students and teachers. Here is one account: “It was a gory sight. People who went to hospital and saw the bodies shed tears. There were 42 bodies, most of them students. Some of them had parts of their bodies blown off and badly burnt while others had gunshot wounds,” a local resident reportedly told AP.

    Another account from escapee teacher and pupils say the gunmen gathered their victims in a hostel and threw explosives and opened fire. They burned the pupils alive, reports an injured student from his sick bed. The insurgents believed to be of the Boko Haram sect were especially bestial, adding a satanic fervor to their act this time. But this is not their first attack on schools; indeed this is the third in the last one month having struck in Maiduguri (Borno) and Damaturu (Yobe).

    What this suggests is that they had established a pattern of targeting schools in recent months and we ask, why had our security agencies not cottoned on to it and deployed preemptive measures. It is scary that ill-trained bandits could invade schools and public facilities, unleash mayhem, have a field day and disappear into the sand dunes without a trace. We appreciate the vast and tough terrain; we appreciate that not every inch of the large states of the Northeast of Nigeria can be manned. What this calls for therefore, is improved and relentless intelligence surveillance. There must also be efficient and rapid response. We know that what is going on is not a James Bond movie but we are thinking of a situation where any strike or heavy deployment of arms anywhere in the country ought to trigger an alarm. For how many more schools will be attacked and how many more innocent pupils will have to be cut down in cold blood before we can brace up to this challenge.

    Finally, if this manner of free-wheeling attacks and killings is embarrassing, it is even more so when President Jonathan reacts. In this latest attack he had this to say: “The killing is barbaric, completely wicked. Anybody who will target innocent children for any kind of grief or emotional dysfunction will certainly go to hell.” Going about placing a curse on killers and plunderers is certainly not part of a president’s call. A president’s duty, especially in a time of national conflict and emergency, is to project steely resolve, character, courage and a certain invincibility that reassures the citizenry. He is expected to assess the situation quickly and objectively and assert authority, including sanctioning negligent aides. To curse is a sign of weakness never to be associated with any president. To lapse into curses like a fish wife is to abdicate responsibility, to surrender.

     

  • Senators oppose single term for president, governors

    Senators oppose single term for president, governors

    The stage appears set for the Senate to kill the recommendation of a six- year single tenure for President and Governors made by its committee on Constitution review.

    Out of 20 Senators that spoke Tuesday on the recommendations of the Senate Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution, none supported the recommendation for six year single tenure for the president and governors.

    The committee headed by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, recommended six year single tenure for President and governors.

    The Committee had said, “Considering the financial expenses often associated with re-election and to ensure that executive heads are freed from the distractions to be able to concentrate on public policy issues, a provision for a single term of six (6)) years for President and Governors is made in sections 135 and 180 respectively.”

    But majority of Senators who contributed to the debate on the issue described the recommendation as an invitation to chaos and an attempt to institutionalize corruption.

    Senator Isah Galaudu (Kebbi North) in his contribution said the committee failed to provide adequate justification for six year single term.

    Galaudu described the recommendation as retrogressive, saying it would open a floodgate to loot the treasury by those who find themselves as president and governors.

    He also opposed the decentralization of prisons, arguing that the prison Service should remain in the Exclusive List.

    Senator Clever Ikisikpo (Bayelsa East) opposed removal of the immunity clause.

    He said that removal of immunity clause will be a major source of distractions for the president and governors.

    On six year single term, he described it as undemocratic.

     

  • The President and his promise on power

    SIR: To say President Goodluck Jonathan is showing disdain for the plight of Nigerian masses is an understatement. Nigerians are tired of the President’s promises that have since turned a national swindle. His assertion last year in several quarters that there would be additional 4,500 megawatt in the next six months and that power would continue to increase progressively has turned out to be a ruse.

    Early last year, the President told a newsmagazine: “ By the middle of next year, you will dash me your generator. I will send it out of the country, because we won’t need it anymore”.

    This year, on January 24, President Jonathan told a bewildered world in an interview anchored by CNN’s Christiane Amanpour in Davos, Switzerland that power generation and supply under his administration had reached a peak that no previous administration had attained. He drummed his chest that Nigerians are impressed with the current level of improvement in power, and that if there was one area ordinary Nigerians applauded his administration for, it was power.

    The President would enthuse: “I would have loved that you ask ordinary Nigerians on the street of Lagos, Abuja or any other city this question about power. This is one area that Nigerians are quite pleased with the government that our commitment to improve power is working. So if you are saying something different, I’m really surprised. That is one area that even civil societies agree that the government has kept faith with its promise”.

    His claim was immediately perforated on Twitter by Nigerians who were following the interview in Nigeria with many tweeting that they were monitoring the interview with generators. When Amanpour put that forward to the President, he buckled and acknowledged that his administration had not achieved the target it set for itself and promised to deliver results by the end of the year. Surely, darkness is visible indeed!

    Granted that electricity crisis is not entirely President Jonathan’s making, but the question on every lip is “what effort is he making to redeem the nation from the throe of darkness?” The other question is, does the troublous electricity deficiency defy all antidotes? The earlier the Presidency comes to term with the power responsibility and that the solution to electricity crisis resolution is beyond sloganeering the better for us all. Nigerians didn’t elect him as a national historian to tell us how much successive governments before his failed on account of power generation and other intractable maladies.

    How can the future of the country be bright if we are aspiring to be one of the 20 biggest economies in 2020, yet we are aspiring to produce 10,000 megawatts of electricity next year?

    Nigerians are patiently waiting for President Jonathan and Professor Chinedu Nebo, the Minister of Power to deliver on their power promise if that means climbing up to the pick of Mount Nebo to actualise it.

     

    • Erasmus Ikhide

    Lagos.

     

  • National Honours: Don’t strip president powers, say Belgore, NBA

    National Honours: Don’t strip president powers, say Belgore, NBA

    Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Alfa Belgore has opposed to the removal of exclusive powers of the president to award national honors on deserving Nigerians.

    Belgore’s position was supported by the Nigerian BarAssociation (NBA), Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) among other stakeholders.

    The former CJN, who is the Chairman of the National Award Honours Committee also disagreed with idea of excluding serving public office holders from being recognized with the award, as proposed by the amendment.

    Belgore spoke on Thursday at a public hearing organized by House Committee on Governmental Affairs on two bills seeking to amend the National Honours Act.

    One of the bills seeks to subject the conformation of any award on the National Assembly as well as powers to revoke due to misconduct on the part of the awardee.

    The bill also seek to prohibit serving public officer, elected or appointed from being conferred with the award while it also seeks to increase the fine payable upon conviction from N100, 000 to N1m.

    Justice Belgore, however, appealed to the lawmakers to shelve any attempt at stripping the President of the powers to award the National Honours on those he deemed fit.

    “It is not done anywhere in the world, it is the exclusive of the President and not the National Assembly. I don’t think this amendment is necessary because everywhere in the world, it is the prerogative of the President to preside over this award,” he said.

    He also disagreed with the exclusion of serving public officers from the award, saying, “Why not? The award is meant to recognize those that are deserving and if those serving merited it, they should so be recognized.

    “It is for recognition and being so recognized would serve as impetus for others to want to contribute their own quota to nation building, “the former CJN added.

    The NBA in its presentation aligned with Justice Belgore on the two issues and stated that limiting the number of awardees to 100 would not be fair to deserving Nigerians.

    According to the NBA, the current 450 limit should be left open.

     

  • 2015: Middle Belt won’t back President now, says Jang

    2015: Middle Belt won’t back President now, says Jang

    •’Victims of 2011 post-election violence to get their dues’

    Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang yesterday said the Middle Belt, under the aegis of Middle Belt Forum (MBF) will not support President Gooodluck Jonathan’s second term ambition until he decides to run.

    Some elders of the Southsouth and Middle Belt under the aegis of Congress for Equality and Change (CEC) led by Elderstatesman, Chief Edwin Clark and former Senate President, Ameh Ebute last month backed Jonathan’s ambition to retain his seat in 2015.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of a closed door meeting with Jonathan yesterday, Jang said the Middlebelt will only make its position known after the President makes his intentions known.

    He said: “Southsouth forum is the zone of the President, so if they have started making the noise, it is good because he is their President, ours is to support. But you don’t start shouting before the man says this is where I am going.”

    “So, when he talks, supposing he says he doesn’t want to go, so allow the man to talk . When he talks, if people are supporting, we shall come out to support him,” the Plateau governor said.

    On the visit, the former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Ghana said: “This session was designed for exchange of ideas in an interactive manner with Mr President. We brought leaders from 14 states in the Middle Belt.”

    “We are very delighted and honored that the delegation was led by the former Governor of Plateau State, Chief Solomon Lar. Essentially, we came to see Mr. President to appreciate what he has been able to do so far as contained in his mid- term report.”

    “We appreciated the area of achievement and we also pointed out areas that needed further attention so that their completion will give tremendous credibility to this government and also help those of us who are supporting the government from the part of the Middle Belt the credibility to speak about government.”

    Also yesterday, the President promised that the Federal Government will monitor the disbursement of the N5.7 billion which was recently approved for victims of the 2011 post-election violence in nine states, a statement by the president’s spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati said.

    Replying to concrns raised by the middle belters, led by Chief Lar, Prof. Jerry Gana and Jang, Jonathan said the Federal Government will do all within its powers to ensure that the money goes to genuine victims.

    “The Middle Belt has a key role to play in Nigeria. You have played a crucial role in keeping us united. I urge you to continue in that spirit,” Jonathan added.

    Other members of the Middle Belt Forum included General Zamani Lekwot, Gen Joshua Dogonyaro, Gen Atom Kpera, Chief Fidelis Tapgun, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, Senator Jonathan Zwingina, Senator Ameh Ebute, Senator Joshua Dariye, Rev. Jolly Nyame, Gen Ishaya Bamaiyi, Dr. Bala Takaya, Ambassador Dan Suleiman, Hon. Margaret Ichei and Joe Gadzama.