ACN Will Unseat Goodluck Jonathan In 2015

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and former governor of Lagos State, has expressed ACN’s strong determination to take over power from the Peopl es Democratic Party-led government of President Goodluck Jonathan come 2015. 

 Tinubu said the ACN leadership was consolidating on its strong followership in the south-west and south-south and will extend its reach to the north to stop the PDP in 2015. Feel Free to SHARE.

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Goodluck Jonathan goes on leave

President Goodluck Jonathan will begin a week-long break from his work routine on Monday, April 2, 2012.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati made this known in a press statement.

He said in the statement, that the President will be in Abuja for the period his leave is meant to last and will continue to deal with all essential affairs of state.

Mr Abati said that the President will return to work after the Easter holidays.

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President Goodluck Jonathan plead With Facebook Friends

President Goodluck Jonathan has called on his Facebook friends to pray for the success of the reform initiatives his administration is putting in place.

Posted on his facebook page, Jonathan said that the initiatives were not only about the present, but for the country’s future too.

He noted that in May 2011, he signed the Freedom of Information Bill into an Act, and stated his commitment to run a transparent, open, sincere and accountable government.

The President said that his government would act within the rule of law and the protection of the country’s common destiny.

”In taking the commitment of transparency to heart, I gave my word to the Nigerian people that this administration would put in place policies, institutions and structures so as to ensure transparency in every sphere of our governance trajectory.

”I believe that the mandate Nigerians gave to me following the election that was acclaimed as free, fair and transparent is to do all within my constitutional powers for the good of our country.

”My dear friends on facebook, this administration has commenced a series of reforms in many areas including agriculture, power, energy, security, education among others.

”And I want to specially request your support in prayers so as to ensure the success of these initiatives,” he said.

According to him, regardless of the orchestrated distraction, he will continue to place national interest above partisan politics.

He called on those who might continue to view issues only from the prisms of partisan politics to take a break.

”Election campaigns are over, it is the season to deliver on good governance.

”In all the areas we have slated for reforms, we have, regardless of party, ideology or other interest, assembled and will continue to do so, very distinguished men and women of outstanding pedigree to carry out assignments in our nations interest.

”We must reward and call to service excellence and patriotism at all times,” Jonathan said. (NAN)

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When You Marry An Illiterate Woman as a Wife, You Make Stupid Decisions Like Jonathan – Wole Soyinka

An analytical piece by Tobi Akiode. He has obliged to sharing this with as many Nigerians as possible. Please share this with friends and the general public.

It’s No More about Subsidy Alone.

The American President has only TWO aircraft, our president has 9[Nine] in his fleet and was voted money recently to buy ONE more! Making it TEN!

The British prime Minister has only TWO official cars, our president has 23 in his pool and only recently voted 300Million Naira to buy TWO more bullet/bomb proof ones!

Senators in the US earn about $6,000 dollars monthly and that’s about what a university professor, or a director in a state department, or a doctor with 20years experience, or a teacher with 25years experience earn too, but Here in Nigeria a senator earns 245 million Naira per annum! That’s the salary of 25 vice chancellors, or 50 medical doctors, or 60 directors, or 500 school teachers!

The US, almost the size of Africa with about 500million people have 24 ministers, and 32 government parastatals and commisions, Nigeria has a whooping 42 cabinet ministers, and over 50[Fifty] government parastatals!

America with about 500million people and more mileage to drive consumes 39million litres of petrol daily, Nigeria with 150million people 60% out of which live in remote areas, yet our government tells us we consume about 35million litres of petrol daily!

2. Is Subsidy Really the Problem of Nigeria?

‘When you marry an illiterate woman as a wife, you will definitely make stupid decisions like jonathan’: wole soyinka spoke!

Our Dear President GoodLuck Jonathan has become a tyrant, a shandel, a shame, he has become the No.1 Enemy of Nigeria. Is this because we, Nigeria are yet to adopt to CHANGE? Change that only Jonathan can see? The End will justify everything. Pray for Nigeria! Pray for our Beloved Country!

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Goodluck Jonathan's Female Adviser Flauntes Her Tattoo

Interesting photo of the special adviser to the president on inter-governmental affairs showing off her tattoos..

Guys what do you think?

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Why I moved against Sylva – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday broke his silence on the disqualification of former Governor Timipre Sylva from contesting the November 19 governorship primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Bayelsa State by the leadership of the party, describing his five years of reign as monumental disgrace.

Jonathan who expressed regret over the Sylva’s tenure, lamented that it failed to stimulate development and complete worthy projects left behind by his administration, citing the 5 Star Hotel project among others resulting in the frustration of the people who openly stoned him during the Presidential rally sometime in October 2010.

The President clad in cream colour Ijaw attire while addressing the crowd in Yenagoa during the presentation of PDP flag to Hon Seriake Dickson and his running mate, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd), said though nobody can truncate the PDP train from occupying Creek Haven, the administration of Timipre Sylva was a set back for the state as it failed to promote development. His words, “Everybody knows that in our society, we need development.

I was second in command to Alamieyeseigha. One thing I remember is the Tower Hotel. It was not my dream but it was conceptualized under the Alamieyeseigha administration. He discussed with the contractors. It was supposed to be a 5 Star Hotel and it would attract people from all over the world. But now, it is a monument of disgrace. One thing I know is that God is with Bayelsa people.”

The President, in company of his wife Dame Patience Jonathan, the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, Senate President, Senator David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Acting National Chairman of the Party, Abubakar Baraje, some principal officers of the National Assembly, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Timi Alaibe among others said, “Dickson you brought the people from Abuja to present flag, the only thing I want to do is to tell you that sometimes ago I was in Bayelsa and the people stoned the Governor. I was here and you must work hard for Bayelsa not to stone you.”

The day they stone you, I will join to stone you.”

The President who described Seriake Dickson as a lucky person to be presented the PDP flag on the birthday of its National Acting Chairman however urged him not to relent in making Bayelsa the envy of others in terms of development.

The President however expressed confidence in the choice of Dickson and his running mate and called on Bayelsans to rally round the duo at the Saturday poll.

Earlier in his speech the former board of trustee chairman of the PPD, Chief Tony Anenih advanced reasons why Sylva lost his return bid saying it was to enforce discipline among its members.

He said, “The party stood firm to enforce discipline. What you are seeing here is the result of that discipline,” and went on to speak in parable noting “You can never grow older than your parents.

When you grow older than your parents, you will never grow old. When a child insisted on eating the vulture and the father tried to convince him not to and he insisted.

It will be better you tell the child that those that have eaten the vulture in the past are no more. I am happy that the President is from the South-South. He needs the backing of the people. It is sad to hear that someone we don’t know can challenge him. It will not happen again. All is well.”

Also peaking, the Acting National Chairman of the Party, Baraje Abubakar said the demand of Bayelsans for a change prompted the party to seek a better candidate in the person of Seriake Dickson.

In his address of welcome, the Acting Governor of Bayelsa, Hon. Nestor Binabo said the crisis that rocked the party was as a result of the complexity of the party adding, “In every large family, we expect misunderstanding and division, the ability to resolve it is what you are seeing here today.

The highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of the party flag to Hon Seriake Dickson and his running mate, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd) by the Acting chairman of the party.

In his remark, the Dickson assured that he would not betray the confidence reposed in him promising to move the state and people from neglect and poverty.

“In the new PDP government in the state, we will be working with the youths and elders to replace Bayelsa lost glory. We want to turn Bayelsa to the Jerusalem of Ijaw Nation.

“We will work with the people. I am aware of the unwarranted attack on the President, the blackmails and the rest, when we look back at what we did, prosperity will say we have done the right thing.”

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Between Boko Haram and the Biafran war

NO matter how much we paint the situation, when a government becomes so weak and so incompetent that it can no longer protect its citizens; and when a nation becomes so corrupt and overtaken by criminality, then, the major indicators or symptoms of a failed state are registered.

That is the sorry state to which the Boko Haram has pushed Nigeria. The visionlessness of our leaders has now moved the once vibrant, once most powerful black nation, to the cliff that, we think it is only a question of time before the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) predicted apocalypse on Nigeria becomes true.

Nigerians hold their Kings – the Obas, Obis, Emirs and Peres – in high esteem. If one day we came to the rude awakening that the Oba was at the battlefield, personally pulling the triggers and cutting down the enemies, it would simply mean that there was something seriously wrong.

Many would not wait to be reminded to leave whatever they were doing and head for the battlefield. To us, the King does no wrong. After all, he is God’s representative on earth.

We wonder how much truth is healthy for the citizenry in a democracy. If the Governor-General of the nation suddenly became blind and unable to perform the functions of his office, how prudent would it be for us to rush to the press and make a public broadcast of his predicament? Or, would we rather keep sealed lips for some time while carefully managing the affairs of state and looking around for the best possible optician?

In the life of a leader, there comes a point at which one hundred percent disclosure on him is unhealthy to the citizenry. There must be aspects of his life that should not be known to all the people.

As a natural corollary, it is not everything the leader knows that should be known to the people. But for the careful management of information around this writer, he would not have gone to university when he did. By 1972, the rumour was rife that Armageddon was to come in the winter of that year.

My sponsor kept the secret to himself and went ahead to pay all my fees. Without telling me about the doomsday prediction, he encouraged me to go to school while he quietly intensified prayers that the Armageddon should not come. Perhaps because of my uncle’s intercessory prayers, the Armageddon has not still come, 40 years after.

A good leader does not fret. Neither does he disclose to his subjects, all perceived dangers. He acts without giving full explanation for his action. At the village level, the village head would suddenly decree that for the next seven nights, all the women in that village would dance round the village n*de, cursing evildoers. In the Christendom, the Reverend would suddenly declare a 21-day dry fast for all members. He does not disclose why.

In a telling paragraph of his book, The 33 Strategies of War, Robert Greene makes it abundantly clear that the world has become increasingly competitive and nasty. We face opponents who would do anything to gain an edge. Hear him: “More troubling and complex are the battles we face with those who are supposedly on our side. There are those who outwardly play the team game, who act very friendly and agreeable, but who sabotage us behind the scenes, using the group to promote their own agenda….”

Does President Goodluck Jonathan require any soothsayer to tell him that Boko Haram is a satanic organisation that wishes Nigeria no good? Does he not know that if the group had the wherewithal to sink Nigeria or set it ablaze, it would not hesitate for a moment to do so?

Again, it is unclear what President Jonathan seeks to achieve with his recent “Sermon on the Mount” in whch he poured out his full assessment of the Boko Haram: “The situation we have in our hands is even worse than the civil war that we fought. During the civil war, we knew and we could predict where the enemy was coming from. You can even know the route they are coming from, you can even know what calibre of weapon they will use and so on. But the challenge we have today is more complicated.”

This revelation is as useful to the President and Commander-In-Chief as it is useless to the rest of us. If anything, it succeeds in knocking some of us off balance. It can only be a soothing balm if it comes in the past tense, as a passing mention after the group has been crushed.

Our President merely stated the obvious, “Boko Haram is everywhere, in the executive arm of government, in the legislative arm and even in the judiciary. Some are also in the armed forces, the police and other security agencies….” Shall we add, they are predominant among the unemployed, the very population that Jonathan is looking up to, to fortify the security services? All the same, the buck stops with the President.

In his capacity as the Commander-In-Chief, he commands the good, the bad and the ugly; and good enough, they all obey him. There is no evidence that if the Vice-President were of the Boko Haram persuasion, for instance, he would refuse to take instructions from the President.

Evidently, President Goodluck Jonathan is saying more than we should hear and doing less that we should see. The reverse is what Nigerians want – more action, less rhetoric. He must also stop frightening himself. And in all this, time is of the essence.

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President Jonathan responds to Sahara Reporters

In response to the story which Sahara Reporters broke some days ago about First Lady Patience Jonathan taking 32 delegates to AU conference; special adviser to the president on Media & publicity, Reuben Abati has issued a public statement. See it below...

Dear Omoyele Sowore,

RE: Sahara Reporters on “Culture of Waste and Insensitivity” and the 18th AU Summit

I observe that you have made no effort, following my earlier explanations, to amend your story titled “Culture of Waste And Insensitivity Continues As Mrs. Jonathan Arrives Addis Ababa With 32 Aides” (Sahara Reporters), and have allowed your readers to rely on deliberate misinformation.

The story in question does not reflect the true state of affairs with regard to the President’s delegation to the 18th annual African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I therefore want to set the records straight by making the following observations:

1. There is only one Nigerian Delegation to this summit not two as your report suggests. Specifically, the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has no delegation, official or unofficial, to this summit, and she did not arrive in Addis Ababa with “32 aides.”

2. You correctly reported that Mr. President travelled with a “25-person delegation to Addis Ababa for the 18th African Union Summit” but after salting your story with a dash of hype and peppering it with innuendo you have managed to cook up the impression that there are 57 Nigerian delegates in Addis Ababa. This is not fair.

3. The Nigerian Entourage list contains 35 names in total, however three of those whose names are listed did not join the delegation and the total number of delegates in Addis Ababa is not more than 32.

This includes two Senators (the Chair of the Senate committee on NEPAD and another member), a member of the House of Representatives (NEPAD House of Reps), essential aides of the First couple, and Foreign Ministry Officials. Mr. President meant every word of it when he said that only persons who have work to do will be allowed to travel, officially.

4. As you well know, Nigeria is a free country; President Jonathan cannot prevent Nigerians from travelling to Ethiopia or anywhere else without good reason, legal sanction or authority. If there are other Nigerians in Addis Ababa, they are certainly not official delegates, and they have nothing to do with the First Lady.

5. It has become Sahara Reporters’ favourite sport to taint and bait President Jonathan with hooks and details that are inconvenient with the truth. You do your readers and Nigeria no favours by this shrill and deliberate misrepresentation of information.

6. President Jonathan remains committed to the Constitution he swore to protect and defend. You have a responsibility to report the truth.

Reuben Abati

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

January 29, 2012″

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Kano bomb blast:Arrests have been made

President Goodluck Jonathan said Sunday that arrests have been made over attacks in the city of Kano that killed at least 166 people and that the supporters of Boko Haram group were being pursued.

President Goodluck Jonathan visited Kano city on Sunday after one of the deadliest waves of attacks in the country.

Jonathan, facing the biggest crisis of his rule, arrived in the city to see the extent of damages caused by the coordinated bombings and gunbattles that rocked Kano in attacks claimed by the Boko Haram.group.

“A terrorist attack on one person is an attack on all of us,” Jonathan said as he inspected sites targeted in the violence, and met the city’s top Muslim traditional leader, Emir Ado Bayero, pledging to boost security.

“Some arrests have been made. Some died in the process. Some were suicide bombers,” Jonathan said in a BBC interview during the visit.

“There must be people who are sponsoring them. Terrorists all over the world have their source of income,” he said

“We are also looking into those areas to make sure that the so-called Boko Haram… those who are encouraging them, those who are sponsoring them, shall be brought to book.”

Asked about numbers of Boko Haram members, he said: “Nobody can say for now, because you know that they are not organised armed forces.”

Coordinated bombings and gunbattles rocked Kano after Friday prayers in attacks claimed by Boko Haram that targeted a police headquarters and other police stations, a secret police building and immigration offices.

Gunfire also erupted in several areas of the city, which had escaped the worst of the violence blamed on the Islamist group in recent months.

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"This President Just Don't Get It"

Fellow Nigerians, please permit me to sound American today. The type of arrant nonsense going on in Nigeria today would have elicited some exclamatory remarks from the Americans. What I admire in them is their no-nonsense attitude to life. Love them or loathe them, the Americans would always fight for their rights.

They have a long history of robust (to borrow President Jonathan’s...

favourite adjective) battles to fight for the rights of man. And America ended up giving the world some of the most famous civil rights leaders such as Thomas Paine, John Lewis, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, W.E.B Du Bois, Coretta Scott King, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Andy Young Jr., Gordon Hirabayashi and others. They all fought for their beliefs and made the world a better place.

About 30 years ago, it would have been unthinkable or even impossible to imagine a Black President leading America. Today, America has a Black President in Barack Obama. I was a doubting Thomas myself during the election that produced Obama. I told everyone who cared to listen that such a dream would never materialise in our lifetime. As a typical Nigeria, I took a flight out of Newark Airport in New Jersey that evening because I was sure there would be riots as soon as Obama failed to win. The result was announced to us just before we landed at Heathrow Airport the following morning. The entire aircraft erupted in an orgy of wild jubilation. The first images that came to my mind were those heroes who fought for us to witness such a wonderful and happy day.

I have seen a picture of Obama with President Goodluck Jonathan in the White House and observed the glint in the eyes of our own President who was obviously proud of the momentous opportunity. But I’m not sure it occurred to him that many big dreamers who wanted a more humane society were bayonetted or mercilessly assassinated by those short-sighted leaders who wanted the world to exist only from their backward view.

The Guyanese revolutionary, Walter Rodney suffered that fate. In Africa, several radical leaders were frustrated or killed. They include the Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba, Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso; and even our own Moshood Abiola’s wife, Kudirat, who was murdered in cold-blood for demanding that her detained husband be released from Abacha’s gulag. Abiola himself later died under suspicious circumstances in detention. That sad saga became the watershed for the unusual democracy some of our leaders are abusing in Nigeria today. I wish to emphasise that the sacrifice made by some Nigerians is what Jonathan is enjoying today.

We need to retrace this history for the gang of reckless spenders in power to understand where we are coming from in case they are too intoxicated to know. Since they were never an integral part of the struggle to free Nigeria from the clutches of military dictatorship, members of the ruling party are not likely to appreciate the hard-earned democracy they are about to endanger.

Many were detained, harassed, maimed and killed for the Jonathans to be in power today. It is not that they have two heads or four legs to qualify for this rare privilege to lead us. Most of those who made this possible are nowhere near power. They enjoy no special privileges. Their families are barely surviving while the carpetbaggers continue to hold our nation to ransom. Our politicians behave like they are unaccountable to the people. The country is their personal property, and they can treat us as they like.

But that is a fallacy. We are all stakeholders and have the right to ask questions about why some people can waste all our resources on themselves and yet have the effrontery to tell us we have no entitlement in this our forced union called Nigeria. The only so-called cheap oil they think we are enjoying must be taken away from us. How more callous can one be to fellow citizens?

I have taken great pains to listen to arguments of the subsidy gang, championed by Ngozi Okonjo-Iwealla, Deziani Alison-Madueke, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Atedo Peterside and others. I must salute their efforts at going from one television station to the other in an attempt to sell a dead horse to us at a premium. But I was not impressed a bit. I wondered why such otherwise brilliant ladies and gentlemen carried this subsidy matter on their heads as if it was a matter of life and death. The gains they listed in favour of fuel subsidy removal were too little to warrant this higgledy-piggledy. It was too obvious they were coming from a background that alienated them from the ordinary people.

Let me join those who have frowned at the unfortunate role of Mr Atedo Peterside in the whole tragedy. While he’s entitled to his fundamental right of freedom of speech, his position as the Chairman of Stanbic Bank of Nigeria puts him in an awkward position to stretch out his neck into what is likely to attract political sanctions is less than thoughtful. Many have argued that the overzealousness displayed by him can backfire and haunt the fortunes of a great bank. If he was that interested in politics, he should have resigned and gone into politics. His arguments were too condescending and sometimes jejune.

Please, someone should help me, what’s the meaning of “who would you trust, Ngozi Okonjo-Iwealla who has a reputation for telling the truth or…? Who would you trust, Lamido Sanusi, who has a reputation for…?” He went on and on and on. I could not but ask when this supposedly urbane man became a town-crier?

Nigeria is truly in big trouble when technocrats that we thought were the last hopes of rescuing our nation begin to engage in dirty politicking and defend primordial sentiments. The main culprit in this regard is Mr Peterside who introduced ethnic colouration to the fight against subsidy removal. He was clear in his mind about the need to remove subsidy and for him it was a one-way traffic. This is the tragic flaw in most of our economists. It is sad that they all staked their reputation without undertaking due-diligence to determine if indeed there was a subsidy.

There are just too many questions begging for answers. What was the worth of the subsidy? What was our consumption rate? How did the subsidy budget rise so astronomically within one year? How do we expect the ordinary man to find the money to pay for this sudden increase in fuel price? What are the social implications of this harsh decision? Are there alternatives in the short run to this subsidy removal?

What was the hurry about that the government could not wait for the new year to pass? Why did government renege on its promise to engage in further and wider consultations and wait till April to execute the full deregulation of petroleum products? How can we pour petrol into a raging inferno at a time we are unable to contain the conflagration of Boko Haram?

To compound the problems, one week rally exposed many ills of our society. Thanks to social media, everyone became an itinerant reporter and blasted incredible stories from the barricades. The government boys who boasted weeks before that a revolution was impossible in Nigerian saw red pepper. They forgot how Nigeria had amassed the largest concentration of unemployed youths in Africa.

These were people who had nothing to lose if Nigeria went on indefinite strike. They were powerfully supported members of the privileged class who were also sufficiently frustrated and angered by the unprecedented backwardness in our over-blessed country. Despite the bravado of Jonathan and members of his Kool & the Gang, government was compelled to eat its own vomit and did a substantial reduction of the fuel price.

But the bigger news is the on-going investigation into oily matters at the House of Representatives. Nothing could be more salacious than the giant worms jumping out of the barrels of oil. Without doubt, the NNPC is a house of horror. I was delighted to see the way my dear sister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iwealla was rattled by some questions thrown. And I wondered why she desperately campaigned for a policy she did not have enough facts on. It is a big lesson for other technocrats in power who want to cry louder than the bereaved.

My Heart Bleeds for Kano

As I was working on this column, I received the saddest news from Kano and was just totally stupefied. Multiple blasts were reported to have gone off in one of Nigeria’s biggest cities. My thoughts and prayers are with the good people of Kano at this difficult moment. I have close ties to Kano like many other Nigerians. My Vice Presidential candidate, Dr Yunusa Tanko is from Kano. It has been impossible reaching him and other friends. I’m told the whole place is chaotic. There are all manner of gory details coming on social media with horrific pictures.

I don’t know who will rescue Nigeria. This is not the time to play politics with a tragedy of this magnitude. But someone must rescue us. Our President must rise up to the occasion and do whatever is needed to restore peace to Nigeria. I have some free advice to offer him. He seems to have failed himself and the nation. It is time to re-examine his strategies. He’s obviously surrounded by some incompetent people who are misleading him. My first advice is that he should make friends with members of the civil societies. They are not his enemies. He needs more friends now than ever. And he definitely needs a miracle.

Written By Dele Momodu.

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FG reduces pump price of petrol to N97 per litre & president goodluck speech

In a broadcast by 7am this morning, president Jonathan said "given the hardships being suffered by Nigerians, and after due consideration and consultations with state governors and the leadership of the National Assembly, government has approved the reduction of the pump price of petrol to N97 per litre".

Labour has in the meantime suspended street protests/rallies to embark on a sit at home strike.

N97 is still high o FG, please bring hand down small...say N66? Thank you. The president's full speech when you continue...

Presidential Address On The Implementation Of The Deregulation Policy In The Downstream Sector Of The Petroleum Industry, Sunday, January 15, 2012

Dear Compatriots,

1. This is the second time in two weeks I will address you on the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector. In the last seven days, the nation has witnessed a disruption of economic activities. Although, the economic imperatives for the policy have been well articulated by government, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) went ahead to declare a nationwide strike.

2. There was also near-breakdown of law and order in certain parts of the country as a result of the activities of some persons or groups of persons who took advantage of the situation to further their narrow interests by engaging in acts of intimidation, harassment and outright subversion of the Nigerian state. I express my sympathy to those who were adversely affected by the protests.

3. At the inception of the deregulation policy, Government had set up the Justice Alfa Belgore Committee to liaise with Labour and other stakeholders to address likely grey areas in the policy, but despite all our efforts, Labour refused the option of dialogue and also disobeyed a restraining order of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.

4. However, following the intervention of the Leadership of the National Assembly, and other well-meaning Nigerians, Labour accepted to meet with government, but this yielded no tangible result.

5. It has become clear to government and all well-meaning Nigerians that other interests beyond the implementation of the deregulation policy have hijacked the protest. This has prevented an objective assessment and consideration of all the contending issues for which dialogue was initiated by government. These same interests seek to promote discord, anarchy, and insecurity to the detriment of public peace.

6. Government appreciates that the implementation of the deregulation policy would cause initial hardships and commends Nigerians who have put forth suggestions and credible alternatives in this regard. Government also salutes Nigerians who by and large, conducted themselves peacefully while expressing their grievances. Let me assure you that government will continue to respect the people's right to express themselves within the confines of the law and in accordance with the dictates of our democratic space.

7. Government will continue to pursue full deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector. However, given the hardships being suffered by Nigerians, and after due consideration and consultations with state governors and the leadership of the National Assembly, government has approved the reduction of the pump price of petrol to N97 per litre. The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has been directed to ensure compliance with this new pump price.

8. Government is working hard to reduce recurrent expenditure in line with current realities and to cut down on the cost of governance. In the meantime, government has commenced the implementation of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment projects: including the Federal Government- assisted mass transit programme which is already in place, and job creation for the youth.

9. Furthermore, the legal and regulatory regime for the petroleum industry will be reviewed to address accountability issues and current lapses in the Industry. In this regard, the Petroleum Industry Bill will be given accelerated attention. The report of the forensic audit carried out on the NNPC is being studied with a view to implementing the recommendations and sanctioning proven acts of corruption in the industry.

10. Let me assure Nigerians that this administration is irrevocably committed to tackling corruption in the petroleum industry as well as other sectors of the economy. Consequently, all those found to have contributed one way or the other to the economic adversity of the country will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

11. My dear compatriots, I urge you to show understanding for the imperatives of the adjustment in the pump price of petrol and give government your full support to ensure its successful implementation. I further appeal to Nigerians to go back to work and go about their normal duties as government has made adequate arrangements for the protection of life and property throughout the federation.

12. Government will not condone brazen acts of criminality and subversion. As President, I have sworn to uphold the unity, peace and order of the Nigerian State and by the grace of God, I intend to fully and effectively discharge that responsibility. Let me add that we are desirous of further engagements with Labour. I urge our Labour leaders to call off their strike, and go back to work.

13. Nigeria belongs to all of us and we must collectively safeguard its unity.

14. Thank you. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR

President,

Federal Republic of Nigeria

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Broadcast By Pres. Jonathan On Deregulation of the Petroleum Sector

The broadcast was this evening Sat Jan 7th 2012..but before you read it please remember that civil groups and TUC's OccupyNigeria protest will commence 9am on Monday 9th January at the Gani Fawehinmi Park Ojota, Lagos.

Dear Compatriots,

1. A week ago, I had cause to address Nigerians on the security challenges we are facing in parts of the country, which necessitated the declaration of a state of emergency in 15 Local Government Areas in four states of the Federation. That course of action attracted widespread support and a demonstration of understanding. With that declaration, government had again signaled its intention to combat terrorism with renewed vigour and to assure every Nigerian of safety.

The rest of it is blah blah blah, but you can continue to read if you care to...

2. The support that we have received in the fight against terrorism from concerned Nigerians at home and abroad has been remarkable. We believe that it is with such continued support that progress can be made on national issues. Let me express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has expressed a commitment to support us as we strive to improve on the country’s security situation, and build a stronger foundation for the future. The recent mindless acts of violence in Gombe, Potiskum, Jimeta-Yola and Mubi are unfortunate. I urge all Nigerians to eschew bitterness and acrimony and live together in harmony and peace. Wherever there is any threat to public peace, our security agencies will enforce the law, without fear or favour.

3. This evening, I address you, again, with much concern over an issue that borders on the national economy, the oil industry and national progress. As part of our efforts to transform the economy and guarantee prosperity for all Nigerians, Government, a few days ago, announced further deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector. The immediate effect of this has been the removal of the subsidy on petrol.

4. Since the announcement, there have been mixed reactions to the policy. Let me seize this opportunity to assure all Nigerians that I feel the pain that you all feel. I personally feel pained to see the sharp increase in transport fares and the prices of goods and services. I share the anguish of all persons who had travelled out of their stations, who had to pay more on the return leg of their journeys.

5. If I were not here to lead the process of national renewal, if I were in your shoes at this moment, I probably would have reacted in the same manner as some of our compatriots, or hold the same critical views about government. But I need to use this opportunity as your President to address Nigerians on the realities on the ground, and why we chose to act as we did. I know that these are not easy times. But tough choices have to be made to safeguard the economy and our collective survival as a nation.

6. My fellow Nigerians, the truth is that we are all faced with two basic choices with regard to the management of the downstream petroleum sector: either we deregulate and survive economically, or we continue with a subsidy regime that will continue to undermine our economy and potential for growth, and face serious consequences.

7. As you all know, the subject of deregulation is not new, we have been grappling with it for more than two decades. Previous administrations tinkered with the pump price of petroleum products, and were unable to effect complete deregulation of the downstream sector. This approach has not worked. If it did, we would not be here talking about deregulation today. I understand fully well that deregulation is not a magic formula that will address every economic challenge, but it provides a good entry point for transforming the economy, and for ensuring transparency and competitiveness in the oil industry, which is the mainstay of our economy.

8. As a President, elected and supported by ordinary Nigerians, and the vast majority of our people, I have a duty to bring up policies and programmes that will grow the economy and bring about greater benefits for the people. Let me assure you that as your President, I have no intention to inflict pain on Nigerians.

9. The deregulation of the petroleum sector is a necessary step that we had to take. Should we continue to do things the same way, and face more serious economic challenges? Or deregulate, endure the initial discomfort and reap better benefits later? I want to assure every Nigerian that whatever pain you may feel at the moment, will be temporary.

10. The interest of the ordinary people of this country will always remain topmost in my priorities as a leader. I remain passionately committed to achieving significant and enduring improvements in our economy that will lead to sustained improvement in the lives of our people.

11. I am determined to leave behind a better Nigeria, that we all can be proud of. To do so, I must make sure that we have the resources and the means to grow our economy to be resilient, and to sustain improved livelihood for our people. We must act in the public interest, no matter how tough, for the pains of today cannot be compared to the benefits of tomorrow. On assumption of office as President, I swore to an oath to always act in the best interest of the people. I remain faithful to that undertaking.

12. To save Nigeria, we must all be prepared to make sacrifices. On the part of Government, we are taking several measures aimed at cutting the size and cost of governance, including on-going and continuous effort to reduce the size of our recurrent expenditure and increase capital spending. In this regard, I have directed that overseas travels by all political office holders, including the President, should be reduced to the barest minimum. The size of delegations on foreign trips will also be drastically reduced; only trips that are absolutely necessary will be approved.

13. For the year 2012, the basic salaries of all political office holders in the Executive arm of government will be reduced by 25%. Government is also currently reviewing the number of committees, commissions and parastatals with overlapping responsibilities. The Report on this will be submitted shortly and the recommendations will be promptly implemented. In the meantime, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies must reduce their overhead expenses.

14. We are all greatly concerned about the issue of corruption. The deregulation policy is the strongest measure to tackle this challenge in the downstream sector. In addition, government is taking other steps to further sanitize the oil industry.

15. To ensure that the funds from petroleum subsidy removal are spent prudently on projects that will build a greater Nigeria, I have established a committee to oversee the implementation of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme. I sincerely believe that the reinvestment of the petroleum subsidy funds, to ensure improvement in national infrastructure, power supply, transportation, irrigation and agriculture, education, healthcare, and other social services, is in the best interest of our people.

16. Fellow Nigerians, I know that the removal of the petroleum subsidy imposes an initial burden on our people, especially the rising cost of transportation. Government will be vigilant and act decisively to curb the excesses of those that want to exploit the current situation for selfish gains. I plead for the understanding of all Nigerians. I appeal to our youth not to allow mischief-makers to exploit present circumstances to mislead or incite them to disturb public peace.

17. To address the immediate challenges that have been identified, I have directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government to embark immediately on all projects which have been designed to cushion the impact of the subsidy removal in the short, medium and long-term, as outlined in the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme Document.

18. Tomorrow, 8th January, I will formally launch a robust mass transit intervention programme to bring down the cost of transportation across the country. The programme will be implemented in partnership with state and local governments, labour unions, transport owners, and banking institutions, and supported with the provision of funding at zero interest rate as well as import duty waiver on all needed parts for locally-made mass transit vehicles, which will create additional jobs in the economy.

19. We will keep these incentives in place for as long as it takes. I want to assure you that Government will not rest until we bring down the cost of transportation for our people. Let me thank the transporters’ associations that have agreed to reduce transport fares. I have directed the Minister of Labour and Productivity to work with these associations to come up with a sustainable plan to guarantee this within the shortest possible time.

20. In addition, I have ordered the mobilization of contractors for the full rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt –Maiduguri Railway Line and the completion of the Lagos-Kano Railway Line. I have also directed the immediate commencement of a Public Works programme that will engage the services of about 10, 000 youths in every state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory. This will create an additional 370, 000 jobs.

21. Government has taken these decisions in the best interest of our economy, so that we not only have benefits today, but to ensure that we bequeath even greater benefits to our children and grandchildren.

22. Let me assure Nigerians that every possible effort will be made to ensure that we march forward, with a collective resolve to build a Nigeria that can generate greater economic growth, create and sustain new jobs, and secure the future of our children.

23. This Administration will aggressively implement its programme to reposition and strengthen our economy, while paying adequate attention to the immediate needs of our citizens.

24. I assure you all that we will work towards achieving full domestic refining of petroleum products with the attendant benefits.

25. As I ask for the full understanding of all Nigerians, I also promise that I will keep my word.

26. Thank you. May God bless you; and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR

President

Federal Republic of Nigeria

January 7, 2012

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Supreme Court affirms Jonathan’s victory

The Nigerian apex court, the Supreme Court, Wednesday morning, upheld the election of President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo, bringing to an end, eight months of legal tussle. 

The seven-man panel of the Supreme Court unanimously agreed that Jonathan won the election saying that the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC failed to prove that the election was marred with irregularities. 

 Justice Olufunlola Oyelola Adekeye read the lead judgment. It will be recalled that CPC and its presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari went to court to challenge the victory of President Jonathan, claiming irregularities and massive rigging by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, during the April election.

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Buhari vs Jonathan: S’Court delivers judgment today

The Supreme Court, will today, deliver its judgment on an appeal challenging the outcome of the April 16 presidential election.

The appeal which is seeking to sack President Goodluck Jonathan from office, was filed before the apex court by the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC.

The opposition party is urging the Supreme Court to set aside the verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal which on November 1, affirmed President Jonathan as the authentic winner of the presidential contest.

It specifically prayed the apex court to either annul the election and mandate the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to organise a re-run election between its candidate, General Muhamadu Buhari (rtd) and that of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, President Jonathan, or in the alternative, remit the case-file to the tribunal and order the Appeal Court President to constitute a fresh panel to hear the appeal de-novo (afresh).

Listed as respondents in the appeal were INEC; its Chairman, Prof; Attahiru Jega; the Resident Electoral Commissioners in the 36 states of the federation and the FCT; President Jonathan, his vice and the PDP.

It would be recalled that the Presidential Election Tribunal which held its sittings at the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, not only dismissed CPC’s petition against the April 16 general election, but equally held that the electoral exercise was conducted in line with provisions of both the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution as amended.

However, expressing its dissatisfaction with the decision of the five-man panel tribunal led by Justice Kumai Bayaang Akaahs, the CPC, through its lead counsel, Mr Oladipo Okpeseyi, SAN, told the Supreme Court that the tribunal wrongfully evaluated evidences that were adduced before it by witnesses the party called.

In a brief of argument it entered at the apex court registry on November 28, the opposition party contended that the trial tribunal erred in law when it rejected documents required to prove multiple thumb printing, non-distribution of electoral materials as well as occasioned miscarriage of justice by not ascertaining the actual number of required voters, the accredited number of voters and the actual number of voters that voted in the disputed election.

On the other hand, counsel to President Jonathan and his vice, Sambo, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, urged the apex court to go ahead and dismiss the appeal in its entirety, saying it grossly lacked in both substance and merit.

After all the parties had adopted their briefs of argument, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, who presided over a seven-man panel of Justices of the Supreme Court that heard the appeal, adjourned the case till today for judgment.

The other Justices on the panel are, Mahmud Mohammed, Walter Onnoghen, John Afolabi Fabiyi, Olufunlola Adekeye, Bode Rhodes-Vivour and Sylvester Ngwuta.

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Angry Nigerian Children Write Jonathan Over Christmas Day Blasts

Written by Association of Conscious Nigerian Children (ACNC)

Dear Mr. President: We should say Merry Christmas but we are not your government, we are not in the business of deception. After almost ten hours of gathering your thoughts to speak on the bomb blasts that rocked the nation yesterday, you still fell short of your own very low standards. 

 What did you intend to say when you said Bomb Blasts are a burden we must live with? Why do you bother to budget over a trillion for security if we must live with the burden of insecurity? How come you are still a president? We do not blame you, we blame our older ones who were stupid enough to think that where you come from and your religion was all you needed to be a competent president. 

They are crying now. We all cried yesterday on the darkest Christmas day of our short lives. While we cried and left Christmas postponed for another year, we watched as you danced your life away like there was no tomorrow. Is it true that all you care about is the fact that you are the president so whatever can happen should happen. 

Last night we prayed for you. We prayed that the white men should be able to make common sense so that we can budget for it and then you will have it in abundance. As it is, it is obvious sir that you are grossly lacking in common sense. 

If you weren’t, you would never come out to tell a mourning nation that it should get ready to live with the burden of destruction and insecurity. That was utterly insensitive and even the dumbest of our mates, fellow Nigerian children would never descend that low to an unprecedented level of cluelessness. We understand this is not a sane country, if this was a sane country, your ilk will not be in a job. Your security chiefs, yourself and your cabinet would have been throwing resignation letters left right and centre. 

But then, here is a place where people are satisfied with just being in positions, that they are clueless about what to do in such positions does not matter. Mr. President, Boko Haram defeated you in 2011. 

What plans are you making for 2012? Do you realise they have since improved while your security tactics remain stop and search? Do you realise they are far more coordinated than ever before? Have you thought of engaging more intelligence in curbing this menace instead of just mere brute? Yes, you have issues with concentrating for long, why not budget for a concentrator? That way you are conditioned to at least focus on being the president of Nigeria instead of our national chief chef? You are wondering where that came from? It came from cassava bread sir. 

You chose the menu for 2012 but we hope you realise that Boko Haram certainly has a menu. Please Mr. President, they will look to attack again in the New Year, do what you have never done before, get your security chiefs to prevent that by all means. Contrary to your assertion, we are not prepared to live with the burden of bomb blasts. 

Get yourself to work and stop excusing your inability to deal with Boko Haram on the premise that they are a necessity. What is that? If you cannot lead and be a president, help yourself and resign. Please take your vice-president along. You are a twin set of incompetence. 

 This letter has been written with kind words, not because we are in the mood to be nice to you but because we are children and respect is a value we want to live with but our lack of it sometimes is a burden you must live with as long as you force us to live with your Boko Haram burden. 

 We wrote you a letter on subsidy yesterday but we figured it would be better to send this before you get our other letter. As long as your cluelessness reigns supreme in this country, we will always remind you of our angst and stake in this nation. It is not by force to live in Aso Rock. So if you must, do the right things, say the right things and learn to get the basic things right. 

The Bomb Blasts darkened our Christmas but your response dampened our mood even further. This is not the way to lead a people. If you need help, we will nominate one of us to offer you words of wisdom for free. As it is, you look overwhelmed by the mere job of providing security for Nigeria let alone the other duties you swore to carry out for Nigeria. Action point: Sack yourself sir, and take Arc. Namadi Sambo along. It is a good place to start. Signed: Association of Conscious Nigerian Children (ACNC)

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Nigeria launches NigComSat 1R in China

"Today, (which was yesterday Monday Dec 19th) I want to congratulate all Nigerians on the successful launch of Nigeria’s satellite NigComSat-1R. 

This satellite will enhance our nation’s communications system and increase Internet bandwidth throughout the federation while substantially reducing the over $1 billion cost incurred from the usage of foreign owned satellites for e-commerce activities of both governmental and private sector users all of which are a fulfilment of the goals contained in our nation’s 25-year National Space Development Road-map. 

There cannot be Transformation without technology and the technological benefits from this satellite will flow to all Nigerians whether rural or urban dweller and would also provide the infrastructure needed to provide cashless e-commerce transactions for all Nigerians thus opening up Nigerian businesses and enterprises to markets that are not limited by space or time."

  President Goodlock jonathan Thank NIgerians for their support and understanding during the process of it all and promise to do more development in the country.

thank you very much sir, we appreciate! Now how about not removing the fuel subsidy? We will appreciate that even more.

Fuel scarcity is gradually creeping into Lagos. Fill your tanks guys, I hear the coming days will be hellish at the gas stations as they begin to hoard fuel pending when they can sell at over N100 after the fuel subsidy removal.

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War Against Boko Haram: Pres Jonathan Approve N5 Billion Robotic Bomb Detectors

To protect the presidential villa and its environs, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the sum of N5billion for the purchase of robotic bomb detectors for Aso Rock.

They are protecting themselve leaving the masses to expose to insecurity.

What do you think about this act?

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president Goodlock Jonathan to ban importation of rice

To encourage local rice farmers, the Federal Government may in no distant time, put an end to the importation of rice.

President Goodluck Jonathan disclosed this while receiving the report of the Northern Economic Summit organized by Professor Jerry Gana, who led the G-20 Group to the president in Abuja.

Jonathan said the country has adequate arable land that could be tilled to grow enough food for Nigerians and even feed the rest of Africa.

Besides, he argued that Nigeria can no longer rely on rice import most of which have been stored in silos for over 10 years, to feed her population.

The G-20 Group made up of eminent politicians of Northern extraction had on March 17, 2011, organized the First Northern Economic Summit in Kaduna.

“If you have exotic taste for foreign rice, then be prepared to fly your private jet abroad to buy it, as I will make a major pronouncement on rice in my budget speech to the National Assembly soon,” Jonathan said.

Jonathan also dismissed foreign rice as lacking in nutrient after they have been preserved with so much chemicals for over 10 years, saying the commodity is again polished on its way to Africa.

He however assured that his resolve to revolutionize the agricultural sector remained unshakeable.

Jonathan further argued that for the poverty index of the agriculture-driven North Central Zone to be better than the highly industrialized South-West Zone, is a testimony of the huge and great potentials that abound in the agricultural sector.

The President also pledged to support a private sector driven initiative under the auspices of the G-20 Northern Group for the establishment of Northern Nigeria Development.

Pledging his administration’s sincere intention to cooperate with it in any area that could be beneficial to the aspiration of the North, Jonathan expressed optimism that if crude oil could be found in neighboring countries around the North, then there should be oil in the region, adding that the ongoing search would continue.

Jonathan noted the link between politics and economy, saying a bad economy would naturally breed violence and many other social vices, and that the first interest of his government was the economy.

Earlier in his remark, Gana told the President that “the report identified challenges and constraints such as poor energy supply; weak physical infrastructure; and weak governance systems drained by corruption, as current impediment facing the North.

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Lay down your arms, we’ll be merciful, Jonathan tells Boko Haram

IN apparent response to calls for amnesty for the deadly Boko Haram, President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, stated that government was prepared to reintegrate and rehabilitate those who took arms against the state provided they lay down their arms.

The President who renewed earlier calls on those who chose to live on the fringes of the law to retrace their steps as government is prepared to work with them to facilitate their reintegration and rehabilitation, however, warned that they should also be prepared to face the wrath of the state should they fail to lay down their arms.

Jonathan spoke while inaugurating the re-constituted Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, PACPM, chaired by the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Mohammed Bello Adoke, who was represented by a member of the committee, Mr Tunji Abayomi

He said: “W e intend to always provide a window of opportunity for those who have seen the folly in anti social behaviours to retrace their steps. I wish to renew my calls to those that chose to live on the fringes of the law to retrace their steps and we are prepared to work with you to facilitate your reintegration and rehabilitation. If you undermine the state, be prepared to face the full wrath of the law.

“Our review of processes and institutional reforms are indeed designed to strengthen and realign all the instruments and agencies of crime prevention and punishment. My administration will not rest on its oars until the spirit of the law runs across the land. I promise to deliver sudden justice for criminal elements.”

He warned that “today our character or reputation as caring and forgiving people are under severe test by frequent acts of mindless brigandage fanaticism which has resulted in the killing and maiming of hundreds of our citizens including those engaged in the noble acts of serving their fatherland.

“We now confront evil of nation that is unacceptable to all religions and our culture and our sense of humanity but I know that this nation is resilient and the people are strong and refuse to buy into acts of destruction which agents of violence are promoting. We shall fight and defeat the evil.”

He, therefore, tasked the committee in making recommendation to assess every case strictly on its own merit, stressing: “We will not exercise the prerogative of mercy on a quota basis or in defence to the consideration of religion, geography, ethnicity or politics.”

“Let me seize this opportunity to therefore reassure the nation that I have initiated a very rapid and robust process to enhance the capacity of our security forces to protect life and property. Even as I mentioned security scare, I am confident in the ability of our security agencies to overcome the present one. we are resolute in our charge to security agencies to go after all promoters of terror and other anti social activities and bring them to book”, he said.

The President noted that “although our justice administration process is adversarial and doesn’t provide for parole or suspended sentences as in some other jurisdictions, I strongly believe that the cycle of justice should include forgiveness and relief for those that are manifestly repentant”.

“The pervasive assumption is that the Nigerian penal system is punitive and that every encounter with the law may be permanent exit from decent society. We need to place emphasis on our penal system being more correctional, we need to create opportunities for convicted persons either after completing their terms or before they do so considering the circumstances to be reintegrated back into the society and be rehabilitated. Perhaps we can achieve a lot more by making the justice system a bit more redemptive. In doing this, we also need to pay particular attention to human rights especially where there is ample evidence of abuse”.

He explained that “the prerogative of mercy which is enshrined in our constitution, allows the president and the state governors to grant re-convicted person state pardon. This pardon

can be either conditional or otherwise but it could be in the form of respite from the execution or punishment imposed to a less severe sanction. This is a very serious responsibility that need to be carried out with due diligence and solemnity”.

Besides, he said “at times, this decision involves matters of life or death of citizens, it calls for the highest level of decorum and ethics and utmost fidelity to good consciences and public good. It is perhaps for this reason that the constitution provides for this very important Presidential Advisory Committee to assist the president for the exercise of prerogative of

mercy”.

The role of the committee, Jonathan pointed out “most assume a significance now that our nation is in transformation and as we tackle new security challenges in accordance with due process and the rule of law. Your work must go beyond the routine decongestion of prisons and redressing the miscarriage of justice. I need you to be at the front-line of cultural transformation and value reorientation. I need to point out, however, for the avoidance of doubt that our emphasis is mainly prerogative.

This will not in any way detract us from our duty to protect the life and property of all citizens and safeguard the Nigerian state against any form of violation”.

According to him, “I also want to reassure those out people who have lost their relatives to these crimes that we shall bring the perpetrators to book. We share in your pain, we stand united as we confront the actions of misguided few who seems determined to violate the core values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence”, he said.

While congratulating those who have been appointed in this committee with a charge to quickly settle down to work to clear the backlog of cases in the interest of justice and above all, our determination to be fair to all within the ambit of the law, Jonathan disclosed that the former committee was constituted in 2005 and its four years tenure ended in 2009. The new one had not been constituted since then.

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