PDP WILL BOUNCE BACK IN 2019 -PRESIDENT JONATHAN DECLARES

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PDP WILL BOUNCE BACK IN 2019 – PRESIDENT JONATHAN DECLARES

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan declared Thursday in Abuja that if members of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) remain committed to the vision of its founding fathers and work very hard, the party will return to power at the Federal level in 2019.

Speaking after receiving the report of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization at the Presidential Villa, President Jonathan said that the party already had all that it will require to win the 2019 elections, but needed to return to the drawing board to  re-strategize for the future.

"Whatever happened was like a slip. You don't need to travel to America to know how power moves from the Republicans to the Democrats and from the Democrats to the Republicans.

"You can even go to Ghana that is very close to us. The present administration lost some  years back and of course they came back, and won the elections. So the problem is not whether we lost or won elections, which is already history, but how we can reconsolidate our party.

 "If we are committed and we work hard, definitely the PDP will spring back," President Jonathan told members of the party's Presidential Campaign Organisation.

Noting that the outcome of future elections will be determined by the party's preparedness, President Jonathan urged members of the PDP to be more united and remain loyal to the party.

"We must continue to be united as a party. And continue to work hard so that as we move towards subsequent elections in 2019 and 2023, PDP will come out stronger.

"Let's not judge PDP by the results of the presidential elections, because in some of the states where we saw the PDP score so low, it was probably due to problems within the PDP. 

"The party will come back stronger. PDP is still the most organized party. PDP is still the party that nobody owns. PDP is still the party that whoever you are, you can get to any level that you aspire to through competence. I encourage members of our party to remain faithful and not be disillusioned,'' the President said.

 In his remarks at the occasion, the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Sen. Ahmadu Ali, commended President Jonathan for putting the nation before his personal ambition.

"Our great party will emerge from this debacle stronger, wiser and prouder. Even in defeat, we are able to impart some valuable lessons to the Nigerian electorate.

"This is the first time in the history of this country that a sitting Government has handed over power peacefully to an opposition party after an election. We are proud of you,'' he told President Jonathan.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
April 30, 2015

PRESIDENT JONATHAN APPOINTS SANUSI LAMIDO ADO BAYERO MD OF NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT JONATHAN APPOINTS SANUSI LAMIDO ADO BAYERO MD OF NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the appointment of Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Alhaji Sanusi, a lawyer, from Kano State takes over from Mallam Habib Abdullahi who has been relieved of his appointment as Managing Director of the NPA.

The appointment of the new NPA Managing Director takes effect from tomorrow, Thursday, April 30, 2015.

President Jonathan thanks the outgoing Managing Director for his services and wishes him well in his future endeavours.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
April 29, 2015  

We’ve not recalled envoys from S’Africa, say Presidency

The Presidency on Monday denied recalling Nigeria’s envoys in South Africa over the ongoing xenophobia attacks.

Reuben Abati

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, made the Presidency’s position known in an interview with State House correspondents.

Abati said the reports of the recall was a mix up, saying what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did was just to invite the country’s Charge D’Affairs in South Africa for a routine consultation.

Describing the recall of an envoy as a serious and sensitive matter, the presidential spokesman said that had not been done now.

He said, “It is not true that Nigeria has recalled its envoy in South Africa on account of recent xenophobic attacks in that country.

“There is a mix up and misinformation on the matter.

“The truth is that Nigeria has not recalled his envoy from South Africa.

“What has been done is to invite the Charge D’Affairs in that country for routine consultation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Recall of envoy is a serious and sensitive matter, that has not happened.”

The Punch

PRESIDENT JONATHAN COMMISERATES WITH NEPAL OVER DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE

PRESIDENT JONATHAN COMMISERATES WITH NEPAL OVER DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE

On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan extends sincere condolences to the government and people of Nepal over the loss of thousands of lives in the devastating earthquake that has occurred in the country.

President Jonathan notes that the tragedy has caused deep sorrow, not just for the Nepalese but all humanity.

The President assures the government and people of Nepal of the deepest sympathy and solidarity of the people of Nigeria as they mourn those who lost their lives to the earthquake and begin the onerous task of rehabilitating survivors and rebuilding affected parts of their country.

President Jonathan also assures the Nepalese government of Nigeria's preparedness  to join other sympathetic nations in assisting  the people of Nepal to overcome the damage and destruction caused by the earthquake.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
April 27, 2015

PRESIDENT JONATHAN RELIEVES NHIS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF HIS APPOINTMENT, CONFIRMS GWARZO AS DG SEC

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT JONATHAN RELIEVES NHIS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF HIS APPOINTMENT, CONFIRMS GWARZO AS DG SEC

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has relieved the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr. Femi Thomas of his appointment with immediate effect.

The President has also approved the appointment of Mr. Olufemi A. Akingbade as Acting Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the NHIS.

Mr. Akingbade who hails from Ekiti State and holds a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science as well as a Masters in Business Administration was the General Manager, ICT in the NHIS until his new appointment.

President Jonathan has also approved the confirmation of Mr. Mounir Haliru Gwarzo as Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Mr. Gwarzo who has been acting as Director-General of the Commission, was appointed to the Board of the Securities and Exchange Commission as Executive Commissioner in January, 2013.

The President has also approved the appointment of the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
April 27, 2015

PRESIDENT JONATHAN ORDERS IMMEDIATE RELEASE NNPC FORENSIC AUDIT REPORT

STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT

PRESIDENT JONATHAN ORDERS IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF REPORT OF FORENSIC AUDIT OF NNPC ACCOUNTS, DISMISSES ALLEGATION OF LAST MINUTE LOOTING, RUSHED PRIVATISATION AND HURRIED RECRUITMENT INTO FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE

We have noted with concern, the allegation by the spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed that officials of the Federal Government are engaged in "last minute looting of the nation's resources, rushed privatization of key institutions and hurried recruitment into the public service". 

We also consider as most unfortunate and uncharitable, the suggestion by Alhaji Mohammed that the Jonathan Administration is trying to "tie the hands" of the incoming government merely by continuing to discharge its constitutional responsibilities until the end of its tenure.

The Jonathan Administration which continues to do its best to ensure a smooth and peaceful handover over of power to the President-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, deeply regrets the unfairness and combative frame of mind reflected in Alhaji Mohammed's statement. 

President Jonathan has done his best in the past five years to discharge his constitutional responsibilities for good governance and effective leadership of the nation. 

Without any prejudice whatsoever to the freedom of the incoming administration to do as it pleases, within the confines of extant laws when it assumes office, the Jonathan Administration will continue to discharge its responsibility to govern until May 29, 2015.

In continuing to fulfil the obligations of his office however, President Jonathan has not, and will never condone any form of unscrupulous conduct on the part of state officials. 

President Jonathan will also never authorise any attempt to create any problems for the incoming administration as the APC spokesperson, who ought to know that the outcome of the March 28 presidential elections does not imply a cessation of governance, unjustly alleges. 

As Alhaji Mohammed threatened in his statement, the incoming administration will be perfectly within its rights to review all actions of the present government as it may deem fit.

We see nothing wrong with that. After all, the present Administration reviewed the actions of previous governments on assumption of office with resultant benefits for policy and project implementation.

President Jonathan is also deeply concerned by the continuing suggestions that his administration still has anything to hide about the unproven allegation that about $20 Billion is unaccounted for by the NNPC during his tenure.

To lay the matter to rest, President Jonathan in line with Section 7(2) of the NNPC Act, has directed that the full report of the PWC Forensic Audit of the NNPC accounts be released immediately to the public so that all Nigerians will be properly informed on the matter.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
April 27, 2015

PRESIDENT JONATHAN SACKS SULEIMAN ABBA, APPOINTS ARASE AS ACTING IGP

Solomon Arase / Suleiman Abba

PRESIDENT JONATHAN SACKS SULEIMAN ABBA, APPOINTS ARASE AS ACTING IGP
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has relieved the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba of his appointment and duties with immediate effect.

President Jonathan has also appointed Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase as Acting Inspector-General of Police, also with immediate effect.
Until his appointment as Mr. Abba’s replacement, Mr. Arase was the Head of the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department.

Mr. Arase holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Law, as well as  Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Political Science and Strategic Studies.
He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence College.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
April 21, 2015

Story about N2 trillion Election Funds False - Presidency

FULL TRANSCRIPT OF REUBEN ABATI'S INTERVIEW WITH STATE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS ON THE SUNDAY PUNCH FRONT PAGE STORY OF APRIL 19, 2015 TITLED "JONATHAN DEMANDS N2tn ELECTION FUNDS REFUND, AUDIT"

The front-page story of the Sunday Punch of April 19 alleging that the Presidency spent a whopping N2 trillion on the 2015 General elections, and that a Committee of Five has been set up by President Jonathan to conduct an audit of how the funds were disbursed by party members and state officials is mischievous, false and embarrassing.

The President has not set up any committee as alleged in that story. It is also not true that the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party used state funds, or spent N2 trillion during the campaigns. The innuendoes are wrong-headed; the motives behind the story are suspicious.

The story alleges, for example, that the Presidency spent N2trillion on elections and embarked on a money-sharing spree to party members, support groups and state officials. The authors of the story and their self-appointed megaphones further insinuate that public funds were deployed in this regard. Their allegation of a theft of public funds is extremely malicious.

How much is the budget of the Federal Government of Nigeria? The annual budget of the Federal Government is a little over N4 trillion. The story is practically suggesting that half of the federal budget was spent on elections. This kind of reckless insinuation is meant to incite the public and instigate national crisis.

With FAAC having to do everything possible every month to ensure disbursements and with the Federal Government heavily committed to the war against terror in the North East, where is the alleged N2 trillion from the Federal purse? President Jonathan and the People's Democratic Party conducted the 2015 elections in strict accordance with the rule of law. The suggestion of any unlawful conduct cannot be sustained under any circumstances.

President Jonathan has done his best to protect and strengthen democracy and promote peace. He justly deserves all the accolades that he has received from both Nigerians and the international community for this. Certain persons and interest groups may not be happy that his profile has further risen and that his legacy is assured; but they do their country gross disservice when they act so unpatriotically.

Anyone who is engaged in imposing a crisis on the country by any means is not being fair to Nigeria. We can only appeal to the public to be wary of such reckless tactics now on display, which form the substance of an odd, malicious campaign after the elections.

We are particularly worried that since the March 28 and April 11 elections, some persons have continued to work very hard to diminish the Jonathan Presidency. They need to be reminded that the time for politics is over; it is now time to focus on the in-coming government, with emphasis on national development and moving the country forward.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
April 19, 2015

Presidential spokesman Reuben Abati on losing the election

"I promised the country free and fair elections. I have kept my word" - President Jonathan

STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE RESULTS OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2015

Fellow Nigerians,

I thank you all for turning out en-masse for the March 28 General Elections.

I promised the country free and fair elections. I have kept my word. I have also expanded the space for Nigerians to participate in the democratic process. That is one legacy I will like to see endure.

Although some people have expressed mixed feelings about the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), I urge those who may feel aggrieved to follow due process based on our constitution and our electoral laws, in seeking redress.

As I have always affirmed, nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian. The unity, stability and progress of our dear country is more important than anything else.

I congratulate all Nigerians for successfully going through the process of the March 28th General Elections with the commendable enthusiasm and commitment that was demonstrated nationwide.

I also commend the Security Services for their role in ensuring that the elections were mostly peaceful and violence-free.

To my colleagues in the PDP, I thank you for your support.  Today, the PDP should be celebrating rather than mourning.  We have established a legacy of democratic freedom, transparency, economic growth and free and fair elections.

For the past 16 years, we have steered the country away from ethnic and regional politics. We created a Pan-Nigerian political party and brought home to our people the realities of economic development and social transformation.

Through patriotism and diligence, we have built the biggest and most patriotic party in Nigerian history. We must stand together as a party and look to the future with renewed optimism.

I thank all Nigerians once again for the great opportunity I was given to lead this country and assure you that I will continue to do my best at the helm of national affairs until the end of my tenure.

I have conveyed my personal best wishes to General Muhammadu Buhari.

May God Almighty continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

I thank you all.

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
President,
Federal Republic of Nigeria
March 31, 2015