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Tag: Reuben Abati

  • Presidency challenges Sanusi to respond to allegations against him

    Presidency challenges Sanusi to respond to allegations against him

    *Approves Forensic audit of NNPC accounts

    The Presidency has challenged the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to defend himself against the allegations raised against him.

    While advising Sanusi to stop misinforming the public, the Presidency insisted that his  suspension  had nothing to do with his claims that some sums of money were not remitted to the Federation Account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    Addressing State House correspondents on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati maintained that Sanusi is spreading false allegations because he has axe to grind with the government.

    The Federal Government, he said, has authorized the engagement of reputable international firms to carry out forensic audit of NNPC accounts.

    He said: “We have noted with disappointment, the unrelenting attempt by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to falsely portray his recent suspension from office as an attempt by the Presidency to bury his allegation that huge sums of money due to the Federation Account are unaccounted for by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).”

    “The Presidency wishes to reaffirm that Mallam Sanusi’s suspension has absolutely nothing to do with his unproven and inconsistent claim that $49.8 Billion, $12 Billion or $20 Billion is missing from the national treasury.

    “As was clearly stated in the letter suspending him from office and confirmed by President Goodluck Jonathan in his last Presidential Media Chat, Mallam Sanusi’s suspension was wholly based on the need for him to step aside while the weighty charges of financial recklessness, gross misconduct and persistent disregard for laid down rules and regulations in the management of the Central Bank made against him by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and others are properly investigated.”

    He went on: “It is most unfortunate that instead of trying to provide some reasonable response to the clear and unambiguous query of his official conduct as Governor of the Central Bank, Mallam Sanusi  has cynically chosen to whip up public sympathy for himself and anger against the Federal Government by deliberately misleading unwary Nigerians and the international community into believing the falsehood that he is being punished for exposing corruption.

    “In recent days, the suspended CBN Governor has, following in the footsteps of others who have an axe to grind with the government, taken to spreading his false claims and allegations through gullible foreign media correspondents, telling them among other things that his threat to force commercial banks to open up their books to unravel the whereabouts of the “missing” funds whether $49.8 Billion, $12 Billion or $20 Billion, ultimately led to his suspension.”

    “He also continues to make the mischievous claim that the government is somehow involved in a scam to divert huge sums of money from the Federation Account through the misappropriation of kerosene subsidy funds.”

    Stressing that Sanusi’s allegations are untrue, Abati said that Government is making no effort to bury them as falsely claimed.

    According to him,  relevant committees of the National Assembly are still investigating the claims and that the suspended CBN Governor is free to give evidence before them to back up his allegations.

    “Furthermore, in keeping with its avowed commitment to full transparency, openness and accountability in governmental affairs, the Federal Government has authorized the engagement of reputable international firms for the recommended forensic audit of NNPC accounts.”

    “The Presidency condemns Mallam Sanusi’s resort to playing politics with serious national issues.  His suggestion that the phantom missing funds may have been diverted to fund campaigns for next year’s general elections is mischievous, irresponsible and designed to incite other political parties and members of the public against the Federal Government.”

    “The claim which amounts to cheap blackmail against the government and was clearly made in furtherance of a selfish personal agenda is most unbecoming of someone who still holds the High Office of Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.”

    “The Presidency would not ordinarily have wished to join issues with Mallam Sanusi who as CBN Governor remains an appointee of the President, but the very unacceptable manner in which Sanusi has been misinforming the public made it imperative that this statement be issued,” Abati added

  • Presidency denies plans to install military govt

    Presidency denies plans to install military govt

    The Presidency denied yesterday a report alleging that President Goodluck Jonathan was planning to install a military governor in Borno State.

    The report alleged that the Presidency had identified a retired Army General to be appointed as the military administrator of the state.

    Despite the state of emergency declared in the state and two other Northeast states, Borno has been the most hit by Boko Haram insurgents.

    Speaking last night, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, described the report as another mischievous attempt in the media to portray the Federal Government in bad light.

    He reiterated the commitment of the Jonathan administration to adhere to the rule of law.

    Stressing that the report did not make any sense, Abati said the country’s constitution did not make provision for military rule in a civilian regime.

    Rather than take such illegal step, he said the Federal Government would extend the state of emergency if the need arose.

    Said he: “It is preposterous; it does not make any sense. This is one of the states where government has declared a state of emergency twice, and on the two occasions, it did not remove the governors.

    “No where does the constitution recommend military rule over civilian rule in a democratic setting like Nigeria. This is a government, which has placed emphasis on strict adherence to the rule of law.

    “If there is need to extend the state of emergency in the states currently observing it, government will do so and not remove a democratically-elected governor. To suggest that the Federal Government is trying to impose a military government in a democratic dispensation is far-fetched.

    “Let it not be another mischievous attempt in the media to project government in bad light.”

  • Jonathan promises to complete priority projects

    Jonathan promises to complete priority projects

    •President greets Muslims on Eid-el-Mawlud celebration

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday promised to complete priority projects and overlook distractions ahead of next year’s elections.

    Dr Jonathan made the promises in his Eid-el-Mawlud message to Nigerians on today’s public holiday on the birth of Prophet Mohammed (SAW).

    Jonathan said his administration would support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

    The statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, reads: “Against the background of the increasing tempo of political activities in the country, as individuals, groups and parties jostle for vantage positions in the countdown to next year’s general elections, President Jonathan assures all Nigerians that his administration will not be distracted from working diligently to bring all of its priority developmental programmes and projects to a successful conclusion.

    “The President also assures the nation that his administration will continue to act on its belief that only free, fair and credible elections can make democracy in Nigeria truly meaningful and useful as a vehicle for development and progress by working with the INEC and all stakeholders to make the best possible preparations for the next elections.”

    The President urged Muslims to celebrate the Prophet’s birth with special prayers for greater peace, unity and progress in Nigeria.

    “Also, as this year’s Eid-el-Mawlud fortuitously comes just a day before the nation’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day, President Jonathan urges all Nigerians, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, to seize the opportunity of the eid to offer special prayers as well for officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces who continue to do their best to protect the nation’s territorial integrity and achieve greater security in all parts of the country.”

    Dr Jonathan said his administration would always count on the support and prayers of patriotic Nigerians for the success of his administration’s efforts to move the nation faster on the path to greater peace, unity, progress and prosperity.

    He said: “The President believes that a greater internalisation of the virtues of honesty, selflessness, charity, tolerance, good neighbourliness, justice, equity and fairness which the Prophet preached and exemplified will be of immense benefit to the nation in this regard.”

    He urged Nigerians to imbibe these virtues and values as they celebrate the Prophet’s birth.

    The President wished Nigerians a happy Eid-el-Mawlud.

  • Conference: ‘Fed Govt won’t interfere’

    Conference: ‘Fed Govt won’t interfere’

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said the Federal Government will not interfere in the structures and processes of the proposed National Dialogue.

    Jonathan spoke in Abuja during an audience with leaders of Ohaneze Ndigbo and the Southeast at the Presidential Villa.

    A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the Jonathan administration had left it to Nigerians to determine the framework, content and process of the dialogue.

    He said: “If you listen to the radio, watch television and read on-line, you will realise that Nigerians are talking. We listen and read the commentaries. But all the discussions and ideas need to be harmonised. We must come to a point where we can move in one direction.”

    On the worries expressed in some quarters over the time frame for the dialogue, the President said the process would be completed before the 2015 elections.

    According to him, the Presidential Advisory Committee on the National Dialogue will soon present its report to him, having concluded its nationwide consultations.

  • Jonathan certified fit, returns Sunday

    Jonathan certified fit, returns Sunday

    President Goodluck  Jonathan has been certified fully fit by the doctors who examined him for the severe abdominal pains in London and will return home on Sunday to continue his official duties.

    A statement issued on Saturday by Dr. Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said after a thorough evaluation of the President’s symptoms, medically referred to as acute abdomen, the doctors concluded that no surgical intervention was required.

    “President Jonathan will therefore return to Abuja tomorrow evening and will be at work in the Presidential Villa as usual on Monday,” the statement reads.

    According to the statement, the President is scheduled to depart from London at about 1400 hours GMT and arrive at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 20.00 hours.

    He seized this opportunity to thank all Nigerians once again for their sympathy, support and prayers for his quick recovery following the announcement of his indisposition.

     

  • Why budget presentation is delayed, by Presidency

    Why budget presentation is delayed, by Presidency

    The Presidency explained yesterday why the presentation of the 2014 Budget proposals to the National Assembly is being delayed.

    Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity Dr. Reuben Abati said the delay was to ensure strong intra-governmental harmony between the Executive and the National Assembly.

    The delay, he said, would also prevent unnecessary acrimony that usually trails budget passage.

    He said: “Previous acrimonies were blamed on failure of intra-governmental relationship.

    “The budget has been ready for over a week now, but since the two arms of the National Assembly are yet to harmonise their positions on the crude oil bench mark in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, and the Fiscal Strategy Paper, FSP, it was wise for Mr. President to wait until this is done.”

    He said the Presidency would cause the budget to be laid before the National Assembly as soon as the harmonisation is concluded.

    Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs Dr. Doyin Okupe, defending the President, said: “This disparity, if not harmonised, will grossly undermine the veracity of the projections in the 2014 budget as prepared by the Federal Government.

    “The President, therefore, chose to allow the two chambers arrive at a harmonised figure after which the presentation of the 2014 budget will be done by the President such that the processing and approval by the National Assembly will not be unduly encumbered.

    “We trust that this pragmatic approach will be appreciated and wholesomely well received by the distinguished senators and honourable members of the National Assembly”.

    The President’s aide debunked insinuations in some quarters that the President boycotted the exercise for security reasons or that the government had anything to hide on the budget issue.

    “We assert that this is not a boycott of the National Assembly or an attempt to create discord between the two arms of government. Rather, it is an effort to improve on procedural efficiency, conviviality and cooperation between the legislature and the executive in the overall interest of our nation, our citizens and good governance,” Okupe said.

     

  • Fed Govt probes attack on Nigerians in Guinea Bissau

    Fed Govt probes attack on Nigerians in Guinea Bissau

    The Federal Government ordered yesterday investigations into Tuesday’s attack on Nigerian Embassy in Guinea Bissau.

    A Nigerian was said to have died and several others injured.

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting yesterday, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati described the incident as barbaric and inhuman.

    Stressing that President Goodluck Jonathan and members of the Federal Executive Council deliberated on the incidence yesterday, he said that the President directed the Nigerian Ambassador to Guinea Bissau to begin full scale investigation in to the case and unravel reasons behind the attacks.

    He said the Nigerian Ambassador is to meet with his counterpart in the foreign affairs ministry in Guinea Bissau in carrying out the investigations.

    He said: “When the incident happened, the Ambassador in Guinea Bissau waded in to the matter and protested to the authorities and said that it is unacceptable. You can be rest assured that this government is committed to the protection of the lives of Nigerians wherever they are either within or in Diaspora”

  • To China with waste

    To China with waste

    President Jonathan’s 13-minister, four-governor delegation to China perhaps hallmarks an idle country cavalier in its idleness

    Even for a reported finalisation of a US $1.1 billion loan, President Goodluck Jonathan’s five-day visit to China, boasting 13 ministers, four governors, a platoon of aides and a battery of media personnel, paints a picture of a country tragically without focus. Which other country would so merrily trot out virtually its whole establishment because it is finalising a loan deal?

    On the trip and its humongous delegation, Reuben Abati, presidential spokesperson, had made a spirited defence. Of course, there is something asinine in the claim that President Jonathan took off to China just to spite US President Barack Obama, for again snubbing Nigeria on his second visit to Africa, during which he visited Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania. That sounds evidently stupid and Dr. Abati did well to dismiss it with the contempt it deserved.

    But not so the humongous presidential delegation. It is true the US $1.1 billion finalised during the trip is part of a US $3 billion loan package, at interest rates of below three per cent that China is extending to Nigeria. The package is meant to fund infrastructure: airport terminals in four cities, roads, a light-rail line in Abuja, the federal capital; a hydropower plant and other projects in oil and gas.

    But trucking 13 ministers, four governors and a rash of aides – does that not reflect the manifest waste that has condemned Nigeria to seeking the China loan when it could, if it husbanded its resources well, have financed a good percentage of these projects from its own pocket? Indeed, the picture of this fair weather delegation is the grim irony of a poor country happily show-casing a rich, over-pampered and wasteful bureaucracy.

    The Presidency could well argue that since the loan was multi-sectoral, the various ministries involved had to be represented on the China trip. But13 ministers? And there is a coordinating minister of the economy? And also a Minister of National Planning?

    That everyone thrust himself or herself forward to be part of the gravy is indicative of a presidency bereft of planning; and almost incapable of fully grasping its needs; and putting to work a lean staff, to get the most effective results, with eyes focused on cost cutting.

    Indeed, it would appear that despite signs emerging that the government could be running broke – or what other reasons could be there for proposing to shrink the 2013 federal budget? – the Jonathan Presidency appears incapable of avoiding a bloated bureaucracy. That is the picture the China junketing paints.

    Dr. Abati could push the official line that everyone on Jonathan’s delegation was well accounted for, had a specific function and would return value for money. He is entitled to his official-speak. But the presidential spokesman should grant Nigerians some measure of intelligence; and accord them some mastery of the negative sociology that drives governance on these shores; which Nigerians have come to know over the years.

    True, a good number of the delegates would be fully engaged, particularly the sub-heads of delegations. The ministers should be well engaged, even if the sheer number of their tribe present – 13 – still rankles. So, would be their immediate lieutenants. But the farther down the line, the more lax they become and the more unjustifiable the inclusion in the team.

    Indeed, many a delegate would be on the trip simply because some high official felt obliged to compensate the lower official with government estacode – the government travel allowance. Such is the abiding racketeering on public funds.

    If you factor in probable corruption, which could entail the benefactor having a cut from the beneficiary’s largesse; and even the whole delegation, being China Government guests, drawing the full estacode instead of a third as dictated by Civil Service Regulations, then you can understand why Jonathan’s delegation is so big, happy and merry! These are the probable systemic wastes that have rendered the country prostrate, when it should be out there competing with the rest of the world.

    Despite the junketing (which runs counter to the spirit of going a-borrowing) however, the China trip is not altogether unnecessary. Decayed infrastructure is the bane of this economy. A policy of sustained investment on infrastructure cannot go wrong, other things being equal. A promise of four glittering and new airports, light rail for Abuja to improve intra-city commuting, a hydropower plant to solve the abiding electricity problems and new projects in oil and gas is exciting; and good for the economy.

    What is not so good is the record of tardy implementation (or even total abandonment), even after a deal has been struck; and of course, the baffling change in public policy, simply because a new set of faces has taken over government.

    On October 30, 2006, for instance, the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidency signed a US $8 billion contract with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CECCC) to modernise the Lagos-Kano railway line, replacing the present obsolete narrow gauge with a medium-gauge track. But for some reasons, the succeeding Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua Presidency cancelled the contract and opted to renovate the present obsolete tracks. Earlier, Obasanjo himself, exhibiting anti-Sani Abacha sentiments, had cancelled a US $3 billion contract with China to modernise Nigerian rail, citing alleged corruption. Will the sad history continue with this latest economic tryst with China?

    Despite the bloated delegation to sign this latest infrastructure deal, therefore, even all the wastes would matter little if the government delivers on the project to gift the economy a kiss of life.

    But will it? We insist it must.

  • Rivers PDP crises regrettable- Jonathan

    Rivers PDP crises regrettable- Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday expressed worries about the recent political developments in Rivers State as he called on all those involved in regrettable acts of political violence to show greater respect for the constitution and the rule of law.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President urged members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and all other political gladiators in the state to put the interests of the state and the nation above their personal egos and ambitions that “seem to have gotten in the way of their expected commitment to uphold the principles of democracy and good governance.”

    He called on all those who were remotely or directly involved in heightening political tension in Rivers State to put an immediate end to their actions, which he said, are capable of plunging the state into public disorder.

    To this end, he urged them to strive to settle their political differences without further recourse to barbaric acts of violence.

    The statement reads: “President Jonathan expects all members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, irrespective of their current affiliations or loyalties, to comport themselves with greater restraint while efforts continue to resolve existing differences and restore internal harmony to the state branch of the party.

    “The Presidency has also noted with regret the continuing attempts by some individuals and groups to place responsibility for the unpleasant developments in Rivers State on President Jonathan.

    “We are constrained to state once again that there is absolutely no factual basis for suggestions that some of the politicians involved in the current dispute are acting at the behest of the President.”

    “President Jonathan certainly did not instigate the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly and as President of the nation, he will never support any actions that negate his avowed commitment to the rule of law. The President will also never violate his oath of office to always defend the Nigerian Constitution.”

  • Ribadu is an hypocrite- Presidency

    The Presidency on Monday described the comment credited to former Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu that Nigeria is ‘sinking ship’ as false, hypocritical and self-serving claim.

    Ribadu, at a lecture in Kaduna on Saturday, was said to have declared that Nigeria is a “sinking ship” under President Goodluck Jonathan with the yearnings of the masses being neglected by a tyrannical leadership.

    A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati noted that there is no tyranny greater than the tenure of Ribadu at EFCC when governors were removed via undemocratic means and illegally barring some persons from contesting elections.

    Ribadu, the statement said, ought to be grateful to the President for saving him from self-imposed exile, restoring his rank in the Nigeria Police and converted his dismissal from service to retirement.

    The statement reads: “The Presidency totally rejects the false, hypocritical and self-serving claim by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu at a lecture in Kaduna on Saturday that Nigeria under President Goodluck Jonathan is a “sinking ship” in which the yearnings of the masses are being neglected by a tyrannical leadership.”

    “We find it very sad and utterly deplorable that Nuhu Ribadu has resorted to shameless wolf-crying, the peddling of arrant falsehood and the denigration of the elected government of his fatherland in furtherance of his selfish quest for continued national political relevance after his wholesale rejection by Nigerian voters in 2011.

    “It is very unfortunate indeed that the once highly respected former EFCC Chairman has now taken to political prostitution and developed a penchant for irresponsible and reckless utterances aimed at improving the electoral fortunes of his new friends and “leader”, who he once famously denounced as a crook who is “not fit to hold public office.

    “There can be no doubt that nothing else but blind ambition for an office for which he is clearly unfit is driving Ribadu to infer that an Administration led by a President who welcomed him back to the country after his self-imposed exile, restored his rank in the Nigeria Police to save him from the shame of demotion and converted his dismissal from service to retirement has now become tyrannical and anti-people. We take special note of his ingratitude.

    “If Nuhu Ribadu wants to talk of tyranny then he should talk of the days when he orchestrated the impeachment of governors with an illegitimate quorum of legislators who had been threatened by the EFCC under his watch. It beats the imagination that Nuhu Ribadu, a man who once presided over an  EFCC which in 2007 compiled a list of disqualified politicians aspiring for office without a court order or legal backing now has the guts to accuse the man under whom Nigeria has had the most credible elections in this Fourth Republic of being  the leader of a “sinking ship.

    “Can there be a greater tyranny than the tyranny of removing governors via undemocratic means and barring legally entitled persons from contesting elections?” The Presidency queried

    “Nothing else but misguided ambition could have driven Ribadu to urge Nigerian youth to rise up and save the country from an Administration which he willingly served recently, but which he now duplicitously and insincerely claims is “imposing private interests on the majority”.

    “It is certainly the height of hypocrisy for Ribadu who built his entire reputation as an anti-corruption crusader by completely disregarding the rule of law and recklessly trampling on the rights of perceived enemies of the government of the day, to now accuse an administration that has consistently upheld the rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights of being tyrannical.

    “It is only a shameless man that will turn around and accept to be the political lackey of a man he once openly accused of corruption at various times between 2004 and 2007. Now that he has been used and abused by the undemocratic overlords that reign over the ACN and fearing that he may soon be dumped now that that vehicle is about to be subsumed into the so called All Progressives Congress, Ribadu is  desperately seeking fresh relevance.

    “Ribadu’s descent into a moral abyss since leaving the exalted office of EFCC Chairman, his equally ethically-challenged new friends and his willingness to vituperate against any person or institution he perceives as a challenge to the fulfillment of his unattainable ambitions, have clearly exposed him for what he truly is – a thoroughly unprincipled attention-seeker whose entire career in the public service was built on bootlicking and doing the bidding of the powers of the day without a care for legality which should have been his primary concern as an officer of the law.

    “President Jonathan and his Administration will not be distracted from the diligent implementation of the agenda for national transformation by the falsehoods and vituperations of Ribadu and his new friends.

    “Far from being tyrannical as Ribadu falsely alleged in Kaduna, President Jonathan will, as he has consistently done since assuming office, continue to strengthen institutions of democratic governance in Nigeria, uphold the fundamental human rights of all Nigerians including the youth, and protect their right to elect leaders in free, fair and credible elections.” Abati  stated