Face-off: Obiano mismanaged my N75bn savings - Obi

Show  evidence you left N75bn – APGA

By Anozie Egole & Enyim Enyim

Former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has reacted to Governor Willie Obiano’s recent allegation that the N75 billion savings handed over to him (Obiano) by Obi, in March 2014, were far less than the actual figure, accusing the current governor of distortion of facts and gross financial mismanagement.

Former Governor Peter Obi

At a recent press conference in Awka, the Anambra State capital, Obiano had dismissed Obi’s claims as “half-truths” pointing out that the former governor left the state with a heavy debt overhang of N106.2 billion when his tenure expired on March 17, 2014.Obiano had wondered how Obi could have given Ndi Anambra a rosy picture of the assets he left behind without showing them the liabilities he incurred.

The governor, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Solomon Osi­ ta Chukwulobelu, held that out of the N185.1bn, the Obi adminis­ tration could only pay the sum of N78.9bn when it handed over power in March last year, bringing the total liabilities to N106.2bn.

But Obi, who opened up yester­ day, in a statement made available to the press by his media aide, Valentine Obienyem, decried how Obiano squandered the hardearned savings in foreign currency which would have gone a long way in sustaining the development of the State.The statement entitled, “We Need a Public Debate on the N75 billion Peter Obi Left,” provided details and listed the areas the money was frittered away to include N5 billion ap­ proved by the present administration for the celebration of the first 100 days in office, the N1 billion monthly security vote, hundreds of billions spent for 2014 Christmas decoration and buying of horses and the N40 million to mount the gates at the Government’s Lodge.

Others include N35 million spent to mount the gate at the Government’s House, change of roof at the Government House which gulped N700 million, change of all the tiles in the Government House to pale granite at N150 million, procurement of dining table at N25 mil­ lion, seats at N50 million, gold bed from the United States at N30 million and another gold bed for the governor’s wife at N25 million.

Giving a further breakdown on how Obiano successfully deplet­ed the N75 billion savings within a short period of time, Obienyem said N40 million was spent on imported kitchen cabinet from the United States, N150 million for musical sets for Aguleri, acquisition and relocation of all lands around the governor’s compound at Aguleri, as well as the increase in Commissioners and Special Advisers pay to over N400,000 monthly as against N190,000 Obi’s administration paid.

Other areas the savings was mismanaged include the increase in salary of Senior Special Assistants from N160,000 to N300,000.

According to the former governor, Obiano had also used more vehicles in less than two years than what his predecessor used in eight years, with the present Secretary to the State Government (SSG) using three Prado SUVs and two Toyota Hilux cars; the Chief of Staff two Prado SUVs and two Toyota Hilux cars and the Principal Secretary using two Prado SUVs and one pickup car.

While saying that there is noth­ing wrong in government borrowing money to meet its genuine demands, Obienyem dismissed the claim that the Obi administration left debts on contracts executed.

His words: “They said that Obi left N106.2 billion (wrong figure) over hangon contractual debts alone. I challenge them to publish the schedule of the debts and the companies being owed.

“As at the time Obi left office, he paid for all the certificates generated on contracts awarded. Certificates are generated on the basis of work completed. Are they saying Obi ought to pay for contracts yet to be done? The same man saying this awarded 35 fresh roads within his first year in office at the total cost of over N81 billion out of which he has paid N10 billion.

“On the other hand, Obi awarded roads totalling N93 billion in his last year in office and paid a total of over N51 billion on those roads before leaving office. Most of those roads were used to campaign for him during electioneering on the premise of continuity,” the statement said.

On the claim by the present administration that it met only N9 billion cash in the treasury Obienyem said: “  It is shocking to note that the Anambra State government said they only met 9 billion cash in the treasury. The point is that Obi left 37 Billion Naira in the treasury. We have the statements of accounts from the banks as at March 17th, 2014.    Let me illustrate using a few examples. Fidelity Bank and the money in the account as at 17th  March, 2017: account Name:    Ministry of Works, No: 5030005514, N2,403,862,359.89; account Name:    Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport,    No: 5030025545,    N2,029,706,380.45; account Name:    Local Govt    Community Development, account No: 5030042391, N1,734,069,061.09; account Name:    Government    Account, 5030047097, N3,048,355,196.

Diamond Bank: Account Name:    Anambra State Subsidy Account, account No: 0026290200,    amount  N5,126,258,908.72;  account name: UBE Matching Grant    Account, No: 0031151473, amount    N2,101,864,766.68;  account name: Anambra State Joint Local Govt, No: 0022404540; amount  N3,276,354,490.46.

First Bank:    Name of Account: EF/IGR Consolidated Account, no is 2018779464, amount is N2,139,951,400.00. Enterprise Bank, account name is Govt House, Awka, Account no is 1400036138 and Amount is 1,928,596,191.25.      The total is N23,789,018,751 (Twenty-Three Billion, Seven Hundred and Eighty-Seven Million, eighteen hundred, Seven hundred and fifty One kobo.”

“It is pertinent to note that two years have gone and Anambra State government is still debating what was left or not, even when other governors that inherited huge debts, unpaid salaries and repayable loans and bonds have all taken off.

“In Obi’s first six months in office, he had already saved enormous money for the state before he was illegally impeached” he added.

Furthermore, according to Obienyem, “As a matter of fact, during his inauguration, Gov. Obiano listed many projects he would undertake, some of which are building an air­ port, building three power stations, among others.

“He started three flyovers at the initial cost of N5 billion that was later varied to N15 billion. They diverted the money meant for the road, from Amansea to Amawbia round­ about to three flyovers. The contractor doing those flyovers is owed over N7 billion.

“He also started the construction of three roads to the airport simultaneously. Are these not enough reasons to convince Anambra peo­ ple on the need to borrow rather than bring Mr. Peter Obi into it?”

Show evidence you left N75bn -APGA

But the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, has dared the formergovernor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, to produce evidence that he handed over N75bn to his success, Dr Willie Obiano as he claimed in his handover note 18 months ago.

Speaking to reporters in Awka, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Ifeatu Obiokoye, said the party and Governor Obiano decided to keep mute for such a long time because they wanted peace to reign, more so when Obi was still a member of APGA family.

He said there was no doubt ab-initio that both the uninformed and informed minds knew that the controversial N75bn was not existing any where.

“I believe Governor Willie Obiano was being cautious by coming up with the truth now which, if he had done before now, would have embarrassed his predecessor.

‘’What is clear is that even in the handover note the liabilities were not clearly spelt out.

“The other aspect was other monies that was not in liquid cash but in liabilities. What do we now do with the truth as revealed by Governor Obiano.

‘’I would say that it is time for all of us to seriously look at the financial position of the state in the light of the global recession that is also affecting the country,” he said.

Stating that the revenue currently accrued to the state was 48% less than what it used to get three years ago, Obiokoye charged the people of the state to find ways of raising internally generated revenue, IGR,  to enable government meet up recurrent and capital expenditures.

While condemning the bloated civil service with more than 6,000 staff by Obi at the terminal days of his administration, Obiokoye praised Obiano for being able to pay workers on 25th of every month and pensioners as at when due.

Obiokoye, who described Obi’s reaction to the N75bn saga as pitiable, said it became necessary the governor told the people of the state the truth because the opposition championed by Obi had been and was still playing politics with the issue to drag the image of Obiano to the mud.

Face-off: Obiano mismanaged my N75bn savings - Obi

Transfer of Boko Haram prisoners to Anambra concluded under Jonathan – Obiano

ONITSHA—Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, yesterday, said the transfer of Boko Haram prisoners to Ekwulobia prisons in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, was concluded in 2012 under former President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Obiano and Buhari

The governor, who spoke through his Senior Special adviser on Political Matters, Mr. Chinedu Obidigwe, said the decision was taken during a seminar organized for officers and men of the Nigeria Prison Service, NPS, in which Ekwulobia and Kuje prisons in Anambra and Abuja capital territory respectively, were chosen as prisons for the Boko Haram inmates.

But former Governor Peter Obi, in a swift reaction, expressed shock about Governor Willie Obiano’s claims, describing it as a blatant lie.

However, Obidigwe said the transfer of Boko Haram suspects would have been effected immediately but for the 2015 general elections on ground that it would affect the second term ambition of Jonathan in the South East geo-political zone.

Obidigwe contended that a decision made under the nose of past administrations in the state and the country in general should not be blamed on the current regime in Anambra.

“In as much as the state government would not want to join issues with such section of the public, it is important to note that the policy of transferring Boko Haram inmates to Anambra State had been made since 2012 under the regimes of President Goodluck Jonathan and Mr. Peter Obi, but for the 2015 general elections which the then President was contesting for a second term.

“Since the transfer of the 47 inmates, panic had gripped the people of Ekwulobia as residents in the area were apprehensive of an imminent attack by members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect,’’he said.

Reacting to the claim that former President Goodluck Jonathan    and    former Governor Peter Obi were behind the relocation of Boko Haram terrorists to Anambra State, the media aide to Peter Obi, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, said he was shocked that Governor Willie Obiano would personally sign such a release laying claims to what appeared nauseating and childish.

Obienyem said that such a claim would only end up proving to the people that there were more to the relocation than they already knew.

Describing the claim as a blatant lie, Obienyem wondered how an action or a plan concluded by a man who left office almost 16 months ago was being implemented now.

He said: “The governor is clearly looking for an alibi for an action that was against the people. He should look elsewhere and not in the direction of Mr. Peter Obi, who, since he left office, had opted to stay away from Awka and not to distract the present government in any way.”

Obienyem said Anambra people expected commendation from Obiano for Obi for the N75 billion in cash and investment he left for him and for restoring the pride of the state when other governors were bequeathing debts to their successors, rather than trying vainly to drag his name to the mud through statements such as this present one linking him to the Boko Haram issue.

He said the present campaign was not the first, recalling that the same people mass-produced documentaries against Obi and shared them free to people.

 

Transfer of Boko Haram prisoners to Anambra concluded under Jonathan – Obiano

The problem with Buhari on Boko Haram, corruption — Peter Obi

•‘Jonathan’s re-election will  strengthen Nigeria’s unity’

Mr. Peter Obi, the Deputy Director of the Jonathan/Sambo Campaign Organisation (South) is a former governor of Anambra State. He was in Lagos on Friday and fielded questions from journalists on issues relating to the forthcoming elections. Excerpts:

Governor Obi

You have demonstrated strong commitment to President Goodluck Jonathan. What, really, is the basis of your support for him?

Before I go into reasons why I support him, it is pertinent to clarify the attributes of a good leader. Among others, a good leader is humble, straightforward, tolerant, firm, fair to all, accountable, and of strong character and integrity. He or she must be prepared to learn and to acknowledge and   respect other viewpoints.

Of course, nobody possesses all these qualities, but you have to admit that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan portrays quite a number of them.  We all have our shortcomings, but any person who really loves Nigeria should appreciate that Jonathan has been applying these traits in his role as President.

Over the years, we have seen the ways successive leaders have wielded the tremendous powers of their office. But, President Jonathan has exercised commendable humility in the use of those powers. By way of illustration, he has promoted free, fair & credible elections even at the cost of his party losing some important positions – such as governors of Anambra, Edo and Ondo. These elections were accorded high ratings by local and international observers alike. Nigerians are now seeing that their votes count and their real choices emerge.

On appointments, Jonathan has ensured the steady elevation of merit. A look at the membership of his cabinet and parastatal chief executives is revealing. In the same vein, he has gone beyond the expectations of affirmative action for gender equality in his appointment of women as ministers, Chief Justice of the Federation and a number of other strategic positions.

Jonathan has been committed to freedom of expression, rule of law and fundamental human rights. Soon after his election in 2011, he signed the Freedom of Information Bill into law [Act]. There is no restriction on media ownership and media practitioners operate in liberty – even to throw brick-bats at the President himself. You are aware that the Freedom of Information Bill was passed by the National Assembly 11 years before.

In rejecting dictatorial politics, he strengthened the National Human Rights Commission with an independent board of directors led by an international human rights scholar & lawyer. To the best of my knowledge, there are no ‘political prisoners’ or ‘political detainees’ under this dispensation.

Jonathan is the first Nigerian leader to convoke a National Conference, comprising delegates of high integrity. Given their value-added resolutions, Nigerians are now looking forward to getting a People’s Constitution.

Indeed, what Nigeria needs today is not to change its President, but to support him to complete the good work he has started. What Nigeria needs is change of Constitution and the structure of the country for the mutual benefit of its constituents.

I support President Jonathan very much because he represents the unity of our country. This is the first time, by God’s design, that somebody, from the South-South [that for over 40 years had produced the wealth of the nation], has emerged the President of the country. We should, with all sense of justice and equity, allow him a second term — four more years that will strengthen the unity of the country; four more years that will consolidate the tremendous progress of the first term. We should not forget the wisdom in permitting the South-West to produce the President to placate them because of June 12. Let our leaders display that wisdom again for the continued peace and progress of our great country, Nigeria.

Your newspaper articles and commentaries reflect your emphasis on issue-based campaigns. Beside his personal traits, why should the electorate return President Jonathan for a second term?

I am happy this is an issue-based interview. President Jonathan has performed creditably in all the sectors of the economy, polity and society. If we have the time, I will clarify each of them.

The Opposition always says that President Jonathan has not done well on security. What is your take on the claim?

It is ironical that once security is mentioned, people’s minds go to kidnapping in the South-East and Boko Haram in the North-East. You recall what Abia State used to be and how Jonathan co-ordinated security agencies to take on the challenges head-on. Today, you could walk safely on Abia streets anytime. The situation is similar in other South-east states.

We should realize that security challenges which border on terrorism — such as the Boko Haram & ISIS threats – are global phenomena. With the collapse of some governments in the Arab world [such as Iraq, Syria & Libya], thousands of loose cannons literally spiralled into many other countries.

To appreciate the efforts of the Jonathan administration in tackling Boko Haram, we could take note of how long & complicated it has been for a powerful international coalition to deal with ISIS in the Middle East. These are not combatants engaged in conventional warfare, which is perhaps why it took some time to develop strategies to take them on successfully.

In concert with our neighbours [Chad, Cameroun & Niger], quite a lot of successes have been achieved in dealing with Boko Haram.     They have been literally caged, and we are now assured that normalcy would be restored to the affected areas in a few weeks.

It is shocking that the comments of the opposition on Boko Haram give the impressions that they are in partnership with the criminals. They variously criticized the President’s “excessive use of force on the cultists” and his “lack of will” to take them on. On the missing girls and others, the opposition talks as if they know where the victims are being held, even as they have fallen short of accusing the President of supervising the abductions. Every sane person within and outside our shores empathizes with the victims and their families. Many across the world have been praying daily for their safe return.

There is a lot to learn from threats to national security. Nations go through tough times and, with a united front, they emerge stronger and forge ahead. What could be more traumatic for the Americans than the 9/11 tragedy, when the Twin Towers and the Pentagon [Defence Headquarters] were attacked. Americans did not blame President Bush, but rather rallied round him. The MF 370 aircraft on an international flight has been missing for over a year, yet Malaysians are not blaming it on their Prime Minister. Recently, 137 students were murdered in Pakistan by terrorists, but Pakistanis did not blame their President.  The focus has been on containing the threats.   From the inclination of some Nigerians, I know, God forbid, that if earthquake takes place in Nigeria, some Nigerians will say that Jonathan is Poseidon himself.

Alas, in Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan would have been blamed roundly and vilified. It is worrisome to hear APC say that if General Muhammadu Buhari comes to power, he will solve the problem of insurgency. As a former Head of State & a retired officer of the Nigerian Army, General Buhari has direct access to the President, the National Council of State and the leadership of the Armed Forces – to whom he could have availed his ideas on how to defeat Boko Haram and related threats.

That is a patriotic duty; not a political party initiative. All over the world, people & institutions — in and out government — have been proffering solutions to their countries’ problems, which have been applied in the national interest and for the common good. In the US, for instance, how many people know what roles former Presidents Jimmy Carter, George Bush [Snr. & Jnr.] & Bill Clinton have been playing quietly for their beloved country? Or, what about former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown in the UK?

The opposition has identified corruption as Nigeria’ greatest problem; and that General Muhammadu Buhari has the will and capacity to deal with it.   How do you react to this?

I have always maintained that General Buhari is a respected elder statesman, we must acknowledge that the personal integrity of Buhari does not translate to party or corporate integrity.

Having observed that General Buhari is a man of integrity, we should be bothered by the antecedents of most of the people around him. The primary characteristic of a corrupt person is greed, always manifested in primitive acquisition of everything for himself, his family and cronies. This is exactly the history of the feudal lords. If we exclude Buhari and one or two others in the APC, you will notice that the party boasts the greediest set of Nigerians ready to acquire the country for their selfish ends – if they come into office.

History is not too remote for us to examine these people and their acquisitions in public office and juxtapose our findings with what they had before going into politics. Good leadership requires humility, honesty, tolerance, simplicity and the ability to work with dedication towards making the society a better place. As somebody who has held public office, I can tell you that the more a person is addicted to conspicuous consumption & primitive acquisition, the more corrupt the person will be.

How true is the claim that the Nigerian economy is now the biggest in Africa?

Clearly, President Jonathan has achieved more in economic development than any of his predecessors. All sectors have been positively affected since 2011, when he came into office. The rebasing of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product ranked the nation’s economy 1st in Africa and 26th globally; from 3rd and 46th respectively. It also showed that the economy has been more widely diversified than before.

It will bear repetition to be reminded that Nigeria successfully hosted a World economic Forum in 2014, Foreign Direct Investments    were boosted from US$24.9 million as at 2007 to over US$35 billion by 2014; and virtually all quoted companies doubled in size, assets & profit. The marvels in the road sector show that the Jonathan administration has rendered over 25,000 kilometres of federal road motorable, from barely 5,000 kilometres as at 2011; work is on-going for a second bridge over the River Niger and on the Loko-Oweto Bridge over River Benue; Onitsha now has a port and the dredging of the River Niger is opening up our inland waterways; Nigerian railways has been resuscitated from a 30-years-old coma, with over 3,500 kilometres of lines now operational. In the meantime, 22 airports have been remodelled to meet international standards.   He is simultaneously constructing five international terminals, as has never witnessed anywhere in the world, in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu.

President Jonathan’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda [ATA] has been making waves across the country and internationally.   We now export cassava and increasingly attaining self-sufficiency in rice production. Other agricultural products are also witnessing tremendous outputs. With the rehabilitation of 19 dams and construction of 14 irrigation projects, millions of Nigerian farmers are engaging in all-season farming across the country.

Taking the courageous decision to privatize the power sector, President Jonathan has given it the necessary fillip. Power generation has gone up from some 2,000 megawatts in 2011 to some 5,000 megawatts as at 2014. Even as more independent power plants are being commissioned, the administration tackling the menace of sabotage of gas supplies.

Similarly, the oil & gas sector has witnessed tremendous growth developments since 2011. Nigeria now has a strong Energy Policy, and the Nigeria Content Act is being faithfully implemented. When passed into law, the widely-acclaimed Petroleum Industry Bill [PIB] will help instil transparency & accountability in the sector; and give the country and its people greater control of its oil & gas resources. To check the twin menace of oil theft & pipeline vandalism, the President instituted a novel mechanism of collective responsibility, involving the three tiers of government, oil companies, oil producing communities and security agencies.

Education and Health have also received concrete support. Aside from investing in primary and secondary education, President Jonathan strengthened the Tertiary Education Trust [TET] Fund. He has since established 14 universities [including a Maritime University at Oron]. In the same vein, primary, secondary & tertiary healthcare establishments across the country have been receiving regular support in funding, personnel and equipment.

In exercising the political will to remove a sizeable amount of oil subsidies, the President put a lot of fraudsters and leeches out of business. The monies so saved are being utilized to finance people-oriented projects under the Subsidy Re-Investment & Empowerment Programme [SURE-P]. SURE-P is actively involved in a wide spectrum of development projects & services across the country. These include dual carriageways, rail-lines, maternal & child health, and Graduate Internships.

What is the problem with the Naira?

The devaluation of the Naira is in response to developments in the global economy. The fall in oil prices has affected Nigeria and other countries which are heavily dependent on it. These include Russia, Venezuela, Mexico, Iran, Iraq, Lybia, among others, which have recorded high depreciation of their currencies. As a matter of fact, we are cushioning the effects better with the growth and expansion of the agricultural sector such that our food import bill has been by over 50%.

Could you give us concrete example of how Jonathan has diversified our economy?

The Agricultural Transformation Agenda [ATA] has really elevated the sector to a pride of place in the economy. As I indicated earlier, we have become self-sufficient in the production of a number of products as over 9 million metric tonnes of food were produced last year alone; we now have dry season farming is many areas with minimum rainfall; and we export some products that we imported a few years ago.

It is under Jonathan that Nigeria started to revamp the auto industry. Today, PAN, VON, ANNAMCO are all revived.   New ones such as Innoson Motor Manufacturing at Nnewi and Nissan are doing very well. Other areas of manufacturing are receiving attention. The local content bill has not only empowered local operators, but has led to the local manufacturing and fabrication of components required in the sector, thus creating many jobs.

In the area of Housing, with over 17 million housing deficit and ownership of houses for most Nigerians impossible, the present government has established a Mortgage Re-financing Company to help provide the primary mortgage company the long-term funds. The President will soon launch the Development Bank of Nigeria that will provide finances to our entrepreneurs and the real sector.

The Government has provided various types of intervention platforms. They include the N400 billion & N200 billion MSME Fund as well as the N100 Billion Sugar Intervention Fund.

Nigeria is among the MINT (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey) countries – fast-growing economies with immense potentials.

What would you say of the North’s insistence of producing the next president?

All I can say is that fairness demands we allow a southern another four years. Like I said earlier, it will do us more good than harm as a country. In all its political outings at the centre, the North received the full support of the South-South. North should support them and in the next four years they have an ample time to prepare younger and more energetic candidate for 2019, who should possess Buhari’s integrity. My belief is that for the stability and cohesion of our country and people, Jonathan should be voted in. Let us not pretend to be suffering from collective amnesia.

 

The problem with Buhari on Boko Haram, corruption — Peter Obi

Nigeria does not need 72-yr-old grandfather as president – Peter Obi

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The untruths in the Buhari anti-Boko Haram claims’

By Olayinka Ajayi

Mr Peter Obi, the immediate past governor of Anambra State, is a honorary adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan. Obi shares his perspective on the 2015 polls in this interview.

Governor Obi

We overheard the Vice President introduce you as the Deputy Director General (South), comprising the South West, South East and South South of the presidential campaign organisation, which is why you are here as part of the reconciliation team of the PDP for Lagos.

Are you satisfied with the outcome of the reconciliation meeting? 

Yes I am. I thank Vice President Namadi Sambo, who led the peace talks and also thank and congratulate the people of the state for their maturity. Mr Vice Vice President spoke to the party members like a father, and everybody in the PDP family agreed with him on the need to close ranks and work together.

What is your reaction to the the statement of Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the Director General of Gen Buhari’s campaign, that the APC supports mutiny?

The statement, if it is true, is unfortunate and least expected of a public officer of his status. I have always maintained that leaders in corporate and public life should strive to maintain exemplary character and behaviour that is worthy of emulation. Their pronouncements and disposition must be responsible, devoid of abusive, or inciting words that could undermine the moral fabric of the society.

On this same issue of security in particular, lives have been lost by the civilian populace and military personnel. That is why public figures must be sensitive to these things and show signs of serious social responsibility at all times. We are expected to speak with restraint and decorum, knowing that we can make or mar society.   At all times and in all climes, issues of security are left in the hands of security agents and we must show utmost understanding of the dynamics of security.

Do you agree that Buhari has the capacity to stop Boko Haram if elected?

Buhari

Gen. Buhari, as a respected, retired general and as an elder statesman, does not need an invitation, an appointment or an elective office to intervene on any national issue, especially issues of national security like the one facing the country at the moment. Elder statesmen all over the world do not wait to be invited before they step forward on matters of grave concern to their fatherland.

President Jonathan is running round sleeplessly and working with security agencies, in addition to forging bilateral ties to solve these problems. He will certainly be very glad to receive any suggestions from Buhari and I can assure you that Nigerians will be glad if he helps solve the problem as an elder statesman. He has said that he will summon a meeting of serving and retired generals to help solve the problem if elected, but he does not need to be elected to do so.

But some people are saying that he can deal with Boko Haram, the way he dealt with the Maitatsine unrest decades ago.

I have read in some places where the APC said that because Buhari stopped Maitaitsine in the 80s, he will also stop Boko today. I disagree entirely with this claim, because the stable global environment of the 80s cannot be compared with the volatile and terror-enveloped global environment of today. The socio-religious realities that threw up the Maitaisine group are different from the realities that threw up Boko Haram.

In the 80s, most countries were stable, but today the global instability, cutting across nations like Iraq, Syria and the Middle East, has created a labyrinth of terror. This is in addition to our African neighbours, , like Libya, Egypt, Somalia, Sudan, Kenya, Tunisia and others, which are all facing various forms of instability and terrorist activities. The level of sophistication in technology and military hardware is also totally different today.  No one would have ever imagined in the 80s that terrorists would go into the US and bomb the World Trade Centre, or attack   the Pentagon. But   we all saw it happen.

These are realities that need to shape our understanding of the world of today. What is happening has a global coloration, because the ISIS flag is the flag you see with Alshaba in Somalia and Boko Haram in Nigeria. You can now see why we cannot compare yesterday with what we are seeing today. Who would have thought that Nigerians would turn into suicide bombers?

What do you say about the fate of the Naira?

Most comments about the condition of the Naira are made out of ignorance. It needs the understanding of macro-economic realities to understand what is happening in the world today. The depreciation in the exchange rate is a worldwide phenomenon, fueled by the fall in oil prices and other elements of the increasing global economic and security challenges. Hardest hit are countries that export petroleum products.

Jonathan, ex-leaders, govs resolve to end terrorism before Dec

Talking about the fall in the value of the Naira, look at what is happening in Russia and other places. In just a year, the Russian rouble lost 40% of its value. The Venezuelan currency even lost more than that. The interesting thing about these countries is that they are not calling for the crucifixion of their leaders, rather, they are supporting them with an understanding that the problem will  pass away.

The APC has said that Buhari is the best Nigerian leader ever, that he did it once and can do it again. What do you say about this?

At the age of 41, which was 31 years ago, Buhari staged a coup d’état and removed the democratically elected government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari and tried visibly to instil discipline and order in our society. This was both commendable and his greatest achievement. But the economic policies and actions of that government were disastrous, as Nigeria nearly turned into a pariah nation that no one wanted to deal with globally.

At the time, under the Buhari’s government, confirmed Letters of Credit were rejected, because no one wanted to deal with Nigeria. Though I disagree that he was one of the best Nigerian leaders, even if we assume that he was the best 31 years ago, that is not the reason we should clone him back today at 72. The Singaporeans are not asking Lee Kwuan Yu to come back. Malaysians are not asking Mohamad to come back.

The Americans are also not asking Bill Clinton, who came to office ten years after Buhari’s first outing and who had the best economic performance in the 21st century, to come back. Are we saying that Nigeria has not produced anyone who can do the job today?

What exactly are you saying?

All I am saying is that no progressive country of the world, especially those we are trying to emulate, like the US, the UK, etc, have ever elected anybody above 70 years of age since the inception of democracy in their countries.

The oldest person ever elected in the US was President Reagan, who became president at 68. At that time, Americans were particular about his age. This is a nation with a life expectancy of over 100 years, as against Nigeria, with a life expectancy of about 60 years.

Towards the end of Reagan’s presidency, there were serious issues of stress and his ability to continue with the job. Few months after he left office, he could no longer recognise his wife. Let us cite examples of presidents of these countries I mentioned, all of whom came to power at least ten years after Buhari’s leadership of the country as Head of State. President Barack Obama was 47 when he took over, while George W. Bush was 54 and Bill Clinton 46.

It is almost the same for  the UK where the current Prime Minister was 43 when he took over, while Gordon Brown was 56, Tony Blair 43 and John Major 47. To bring this closer home, our neighbouring Ghana has President John Mahama who started at 53. One can understand if he is in his 60s today. To further elucidate this, why do we have to retire our top military personnel and civil servants at 60, university lecturers at 65 and Supreme Court judges at 75.

Even the religious bodies now retire their leaders at the age of 70. Which is why the highly celebrated primate of the Church of Nigeria, Sunday Mbang, and Ola Makinde of the Methodist Church, as well as Cardinal Okojie of the Catholic Church, are now retired. These are   people who are managing smaller segments of civil society.

In a world where a life-changing protest for democratic change, demanding for free and fair democracy without Chinese interference, was led by a 17-year-old boy in Hong Kong, APC is threatening to inflict a 72-year-old grandfather on Nigeria as president. Do you realise that the major companies of the world like doogle (1998), Yahoo (1994), Ebay (1995), Facebook (2004) and Alibaba (1999), were all founded by people under 40 years of age. Most of the captains of industry in Nigeria today are led by men and women who were in not yet in primary school 31 years ago, when Buhari’s was Head of State.

Gov. Amaechi also complained about Jonathan being responsible for the depreciation of the Naira

Again, this is case of people speaking either out of mischief or ignorance, or both. I speak of mischief here because even those with no knowledge of macroeconomics know why the Naira is depreciating. Currencies depreciate for a number of fundamental reasons, other than the actions of governments. The recent depreciation of major currencies of the world was more pronounced in countries with heavy dependence on oil.

The Russian rouble, for instance, lost over 45% of its value in four months and no one is blaming Putin for it, or asking that he should leave. Ours would have been much worse, but for President Jonathan’s diversification of the economy, especially in the area of agriculture which has saved a lot of savings in food importation.

Furthermore, the currencies of better or similar similar economies, like the Brazilian real, Argentina’s peso, Soth African rand and more have all depreciated by over 12 and 15% in the last one year. This is similar to what we have witnessed here and the people are not calling for the heads of their leaders. Coming nearer home, the Ghanaian cedi has equally depreciated by over 35%and no one has called for an end to the incumbent government.

The opposition also said Jonathan is incapable of fighting corruption and I need to hear your views on that allegation.

Well, everyone in Nigeria claims to be a saint and accuses others of being corrupt. We all read and also heard from those who were there what transpired at the APC presidential primary in Lagos. That is not corruption, right? While I agree that there is the need to strengthen institutions like the ICPC and EFCC, to fight the physical and more tangible forms of administrative corruption, there is also the far more fundamental need to fight corruption from its very roots.

What I mean here is the distortion of   societal values, as can be seen for example where those who are role models are mostly some of worst among us. Honours and titles are often given to persons whose conduct and obscene exhibition of wealth set a bad example for the leaders of tomorrow. The  best way to fight corruption realistically is to institutionalize the processes of governance.

You only need to look at how the reforms in the procurement and distribution of fertiliser have totally transformed everything, making fertiliser directly available to farmers and disbanding the cartel that held the system hostage before the Jonathan administration. It is the same with the pension reforms and the Sovereign Wealth Fund which have, respectively, created a more sustainable financial fall back position and blocked leakages in pension fund administration.

What is you take on who Nigerians should vote for in 2015?

The answer to that question is fairly obvious: Jonathan, Jonathan, and Jonathan. He has put the right policies in place and set the right processes in motion. He needs to continue and finish the good work he is doing now and that is why he should be voted in.

The reason you are asking this question is simply because his performance is under reported and even sometimes distorted by mischief makers. He will be a stronger and better candidate, when re-elected, as he follows through what he has started. Whatever challenges are on the ground today are being progressively overcome and will soon become things of the past.

 

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Nigeria does not need 72-yr-old grandfather as president – Peter Obi

Jonathan appoints Fani-Kayode, Peter Obi, Jerry Gana as campaign directors

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By Sani Tukur, PremiumTimes

President Goodluck Jonathan will inaugurate his campaign team on Monday in Abuja, ahead the February 14 election.

Fani-Kayode

A release by the political adviser to the President, Rufai Alkali, on Thursday said the inauguration will take place at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential campaign office at Legacy House, in Maitama Abuja by 2p.m.

According to the release, the Chairman of the Board of trustees of the PDP, Tony Anenih has been appointed the national campaign adviser, while a former National Chairman of the PDP, Ahmadu Ali, will serve as the Director-General of the campaign organisation.

A former minister, Tunde Adeniran, will serve as the deputy director general of the campaigns’ head office, while the duo of Special Duties Minister, Kabiru Turaki and ex Anambra governor, Peter Obi, will serve as Deputy Directors-General for north and south respectively.

A former minister of aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, is the Director of Media and Publicity, while former Information Minister, Jerry Gana, heads the campaign’s contact and mobilization unit.

Other members of the campaign team include former minister of information, Aliyu Umar, who will head the directorate of administration and logistics, while ex-Minister and Senator, Nenadi usman, will head the finance directorate.

Former Senator Nimi Amange will head the directorate of Planning, Research and Statistics, the directorate of security and intelligence will be headed by Emmanuel Imohe, and Youth Mobilisation by PDP’s National Youth leader, Abdullahi Maibasira.

The release also shows that Nick Eze will head the directorate of Civil Society and Support groups, while Becky Igwe will head that of Women mobilization.

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Jonathan appoints Fani-Kayode, Peter Obi, Jerry Gana as campaign directors

Nigerians celebrate corruption – Peter Obi

A former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, Wednesday said corruption thrives in the country because Nigerians worship money.

Governor Obi

He said the problem with the country is impunity, adding: “the level of greed is unacceptable.”

Speaking during a plenary session of the ongoing Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Owerri, Imo State, Obi, who spoke on the topic: “Nigeria, Any Hope For industrial Revolution,” said corruption does more than harm development.

“Corruption and greed kill entrepreneurship, hardwork and professionalism,” he said.

Obi condemned greed among political office holders who assume power with the single aim of enriching themselves with filthy lucre.

“Someone is voted into office and had no house, no car, but in six months, the person has three cars, six houses, and the person organises a thanksgiving. Even the bishop is praying for him to make more money.

“We have to start fighting those things that make industrial revolution impossible. We have to start by building a country where there is zero tolerance for greed and impunity,” Obi said.

Meanwhile, the NBA President, Okey Wali (SAN), has called for a reform of appointment and elevation of judges and justices.

He said nothing in law stops a qualified lawyer from being appointed a state’s Chief Judge, adding that a lawyer should also be able to go to the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court from the Bar without having to serve on the bench first.

Wali also sought a review of the Constitution to divest governors of powers to appoint Chief Judges.

He said, “Why should another arm of government appoint the head of another arm? Does the judiciary appoint the governor of a state? Do we appoint the speaker of the House of Assembly? So why should they appoint our head?”

A former NBA President, Joseph Daudu (SAN), said the Chief Justice of Nigeria should not preside over the National Judicial Council (NJC) which has the responsibility of appointing and disciplining judges.

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Nigerians celebrate corruption – Peter Obi

Nothing would make him contest in any position in Nigeria again - Peter Obi

AWKA- IMMEDIATE past governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter said weekend that no amount of pressure would make him change his mind to go for any elective position in Nigeria.

Governor Obi

Speaking with reporters at Ochuche in Ogbaru local government area of Anambra State where his former commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Mr. Dubem Obaze received a chieftaincy title from all traditional rulers in Anambra North senatorial zone, Obi, however said he is prepared to serve Nigeria in any capacity.

Obi’s entry into the venue of the ceremony sent jubilation among the audience, with most politicians who graced the occasion swarming his sitting position to greet and have a handshake with him.

In what sounded like a note of finality on the issue, Obi said: “I started telling people during my second tenure in office as governor that I will not aspire for any elective position in the country, but some people thought I was joking.

“Some have even been speculating that I will be contesting for senate for Anambra Central in 2015 or for another elective position at the national level and I want to say here that I have no such ambition.

“However, I am prepared to make myself available for the service of my country in non- elective position.

“I believe that after serving as governor for eight years, I should allow other people go for political offices meant for the state. There is therefore no truth in the rumour that I want to contest for senate next year.”

Obi said he would remain in All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, no matter the nature of assignment he is carrying out for the nation, adding that deliberate efforts would continue to ensure that the party becomes stronger in the country.

With Obi’s statement on his future political ambition, his admirers and political associates who have already started holding nocturnal meetings for the purpose of drafting him to contest for senate in 2015 may have to look elsewhere.

 

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Nothing would make him contest in any position in Nigeria again - Peter Obi