Remarks by President Jonathan On the Occasion of the All Political Parties Summit, June 12, 2014

Alex Ekwueme, Muhammad Buhari, gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, President
Goodluck Jonathan at All Political Parties Summit 12/06/2014

Remarks by
His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
On the
Occasion of the All Political Parties and Political Stakeholders Summit
at the
International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja
12th June 2014
PROTOCOLS
About fifteen years ago, our nation found itself at the cross roads of political determination, its stability and progress threatened, and pushed to the limit. Fear, uncertainty and a near total loss of hope took over the minds of our people.  It appeared we were close to losing our way in the struggle of building a united, prosperous and democratic nation.

Obasanjo: An Exit Strategy by Reuben Abati

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

The President's political strategists, faced with the widespread opposition to the now infamous third term agenda, are reportedly working on what the media has termed "Plan B". The original plan was meant to ensure an amendment of the 1999 Constitution to offer the President an additional period of four years in office. The on-going debate of that proposition in the National Assembly indicates that it will be difficult for the "third termers" to gain a legislative two-thirds majority in that regard. Plan B is designed as a face-saving option.

The failure of the third term proposal on the floor of the National Assembly translates simply into an open demonisation of the President and his supporters. The President in particular, has suddenly become an enemy of democracy who must be stopped at all costs. A Plan B which, as proposed, would offer him a two-year extension in office as President could reduce the effect of this open disgrace. Its architects obviously do not want the Presidency to be ridiculed. They can pretend that their plan is to protect the Presidency as a key democratic institution.

The Atiku Revolt against Obasanjo's Third Term by Reuben Abati

The details of what was discussed by the 200 anti-third term campaigners who were barred from holding a meeting at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, on Wednesday, April 5, have now become public knowledge. When this is placed beside the motives of their traducers masquerading as state agents, it is safe to conclude that it is indeed a sad moment for Nigeria. The third-term gang included Major-General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Alhaji Ghali Na'Abba, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Audu Ogbeh, former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji M. D. Yusuf, Alhaji Gambo Jimeta, Governors Bola Tinubu, Boni Haruna, Orji Kalu, and Senator Uche Chukwumerije.... It was in one word, a gathering of well-known opponents of the Obasanjo administration - many of whom have had cause to criticise the government openly on issues of policy, and in the cases of Ogbeh, and Ghali Na'Abba, and former Governors Bisi Akande, Segun Osoba and Niyi Adebayo, these are bold critics of the ruling PDP and its methods.