President Jonathan To Contest In 2015 - Tukur Confirms

People's Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Bamanga Tukur has confirmed the interest of President Goodluck Jonathan to seek re-election for the office of president come 2015.

Although the president has not publicly announced his interest to contest in the next presidential election, there had been concerns by opposition parties and some members of the ruling party on the president's interest in seeking re-election claiming Jonathan's body language and political developments across the country reveal his 'real interest'.
As a result Jonathan has had many against him running in 2015 and working towards stopping the president, even some strong members of the ruling PDP including governors had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), with an aim to wrest power from Jonathan and the ruling party.
Tukur finally declared on Thursday for the first time a local event held in Abuja since the beginning of the crisis rocking the PDP that the Nigerian leader has been chosen as the ruling party's presidential candidate for  2015.
Urging party faithful not to be deterred by the exodus of some of its key members, the ruling party leader maintained that PDP remains insurmountable as the strongest and biggest party in Nigeria and Africa, according to Abuja-based local Leadership Newspaper on Friday.
"Don't be deterred by some people saying they are leaving the party. People leaving the party are individuals, not the party. It does not mean if they leave the party, the party leaves. No, the party remains. PDP is the only party in Nigeria that fields a candidate in every election that is held. Don't be deterred; don't be afraid, you are part of the ruling party," said the party leader who further tasked officials to play their roles wisely in making sure that Jonathan wins the 2015 election.
With this declaration of Jonathan's interest to re-contest in 2015 elections, another round of controversy may however be raised.
Just as the president continues to keep mum on his second term ambition, there seems to be no end in sight to the crisis rocking Nigeria's ruling party for more than six months now
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/54238.html

PHOTOS: President Jonathan Arrives From The UK

President Jonathan has returned back from London where he was admitted in a hospital for a stomach related illness.

The president has denied reports that the illness was caused as result of Alcohol from the heavy party thrown to celebrate his 56th birthday.
The president was in London to preside over a 3-day meeting of Nigeria’s Honourary International Investors Council (HIIC). He returned to Nigeria yesterday evening and spoke to the press at the presidential wing of the airport.

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READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/52813.html

ILL HEALTH: Jonathan Postpones Meeting With Rebel Governors

President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday postponed his peace meeting with the seven aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party governors which was earlier scheduled for Sunday.

Jonathan, who arrived the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja from London around 7pm attributed his action to jet lag and “health challenges.”
But The PUNCH however gathered   that pressure from political hawks  made the President, who was in  London  for  the 15th meeting  of Nigeria’s    Honorary International Investors’ Council, to postpone the meeting.
It was learnt in Abuja that the hawks within the PDP,  who insisted that Jonathan should shelve the meeting,    also   wanted   the four suspended  leaders of the New PDP- Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola,  Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, Dr.  Sam Jaja and Ambassador Ibrahim Kazaure -  expelled from the ruling party.
Our source said  this could happen on or before Friday this week.
A reliably PDP source told one of our correspondents on Sunday that the need to have an enlarged secret caucus meeting with the President on the modalities to be adopted before taking a final decision on “Oyinlola and others ” was responsible for the President’s decision to shelve the Sunday meeting.
Some of the rebel governors  were said to have  arrived  in Abuja before the postponement  was announced  by Jonathan.
The President  became indisposed and had to be treated for severe abdominal pains while in London .
He had   missed  the opening of the London meeting based on doctors’ advice that he should take some days’ rest.
However, he   gave an indication  to  journalists on his arrival that the meeting with the rebel governors  might hold within the week.
The President said the peace moves would continue since political discussion is a continuous process.
Jonathan said, “I don’t think I will be able to hold any meeting.You know six hours’ flight is quite a distance and also following from my health challenges;  but we will meet.”
When asked specifically on the next meeting date, the President said, “I don’t know. I am just coming in. I believe within the week, we will be able to meet.
“Politics is about discussion. We belong to the same political party. Even people from different political parties engage in political discussion  and  you know political discussion  is a continous process. So we will continue to discuss.”
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/52843.html

ILLNESS: President Jonathan Expresses Appreciation, SEE What He Has To Say

President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed his appreciation to all Nigerians who conveyed their solidarity to him during his period of indisposition in London while attending a conference on attracting investment to Nigeria.

In a statement in London , Saturday, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati said the President also commended ” the generality of the mainstream media whose coverage of the President’s slight health challenge in London was mostly factual, objective, fair-minded and supportive”.
He however condemned a section of online media who he described as “utterly irresponsible, deplorable, highly unprofessional and unethical antics of certain fringe elements operating in the nebulous sphere of cyberspace who persist in seizing every opportunity to unjustifiably malign and impugn the character and integrity of the elected leader of their country”.
The statement reads:
“President Goodluck Jonathan thanks all patriotic and well-meaning Nigerians, including his supporters, friends and political associates  who expressed and conveyed their sympathies and solidarity with him, through various means, following the announcement of his sudden indisposition while on a mission to attract greater investments to accelerate the growth of the Nigerian economy in keeping with his agenda for national transformation.
“The Presidency also commends the generality of the mainstream media whose coverage of the President’s slight health challenge in London was mostly factual, objective, fair-minded and supportive.
“We however condemn the utterly irresponsible, deplorable, highly unprofessional and unethical antics of certain fringe elements operating in the nebulous sphere of cyberspace who persist in seizing every opportunity to unjustifiably malign and impugn the character and integrity of the elected leader of their country.”

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READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/52742.html

My Greatest Worry About Holding Political Office – Jonathan

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has tasked political office holders to be paying greater attention to leading a public service that would earn the people’s support and honour beyond their tenure in office just as Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state shocked his political opponents as he was at the airport Thursday to receive the President who was in the state for the funeral of his foster mother inlaw, late Madam Charity Oba.
Before the President arrived Port Harcourt that Thursday, speculations were rife in several circles that Governor Amaechi would not be around to receive him. His opponents were apparently shocked when they saw him at the airport among others to welcome President Goodluck Jonathan .
Before the President arrived Port Harcourt that Thursday, speculations were that the governor was not going to be part of the funeral programme and he might not also be at the airport to receive the President.
Their conviction was further strengthened by the fact that the governor was not even in the state that morning. So, the conclusion was that he deliberately travelled out of the state to avoid being part of the funeral program.
Hundreds of supporters of the Supervising Minister for Education, Mr Nyesom Wike were mobilised to the airport as early as 8am to wait for President Jonathan who also did not attend the service of songs. People were in groups discussing the absence of governor Amaechi in the state when suddenly his plane landed at the airport. And he headed straight to the VIP lounge.
What looked like another shocker was when governor Amaechi, his Bayelsa counterpart, Dickson and President Jonathan boarded the same helicopter to Okrika, hometown of the first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.
While remarking on the life and times of the Late Madam Oba, President Jonathan likened political officeholders exit from office to physical death, adding that the way the people judge a departed soul is the same way they judge a man who has vacated public office in reflection of his deeds while alive or while in office. Jonathan maintained: “We all must die one day.
So, we should do all we can do to contribute to the good and happiness of mankind. We are here to celebrate my mother-in-law today because she stood for my wife and today, my wife is a product of the good deeds of Charity Oba. “And for me, the politics of holding political office is almost like death. What challenges me most is what I will be remembered for when I leave the State House. ”I harbour no ill feelings against criticisms.
I will do what is just, right and necessary because I am more concerned about what posterity will say about me and my efforts in transforming Nigeria.” In-between sobs in her funeral eulogy on her late Stepmother, the nation’s First Lady, Dame Patience said, “You raised me from a tender age, until I was able to stand on the world’s stage.
You taught me the right from wrong, and made me virtuous and strong. You put in my heart God’s own song. But now that you are gone, you are with your creator who loves you more”.
“Although the pain is still deep and raw, I will forever cherish all your memories and celebrate your life, for you were a mother in a million, who laboured in love to make me what I am today. Fare thee well Mama Sisi as the angels watch over you in heaven”.
In a loud happy mood believing his raging celebrated friction with the President and Nyesom Wike, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, one of the earliest arrived dignitaries at the funeral was full of energy, dancing, singing and clapping to praise worship tunes rendered by an array of Nigerian Gospel stars.
Roll call of the personalities converged at the funeral include Vice President, Namadi Sambo; Senate President, David Mark; Senate Leader, Senator William Odoma-Egba among other scores of Senators. Others in attendance were all the South-South governors – Governors Ameachi of Rivers; Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa; Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta; Liyel Imoke of Cross River; Godspower Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and Adams Oshiomole of Edo State.
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/51226.html

CAR SCANDAL: Jonathan Sets Up Panel To Probe Oduah’s Car Scandal, Gives Two Weeks

President Goodluck Jonathan has set up an administrative panel consisting of 3 members for the purpose of investigating the armoured car scandal related to the aviation minister Stella Oduah.
It was made known by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, in the course of the weekly meeting of the Executive Council of the Federation.
The body will be chaired by the immediate past Head of Service, Sali Bello.
According to the information provided, other members include the National Security Adviser Colonel Sambo Dasuki, and Air Vice Marshal Dik Iruenebere.
Mr. Abati also confirmed Jonathan had queried Mrs. Oduah asking her to provide explanations on the controversial purchase.
The new panel of enquiry should find out whether the purchase of the vehicles for about N255 million followed due process or not and also investigate the reasons for vehicles procurement.
Mr. Abati did not state if the minister would step aside while she is being investigated. Mrs. Oduah was conspicuously absent at Wednesday’s FEC meeting.
It was mentioned that the panel was given two weeks to conclude its task and give the President the necessary recommendations regarding the issue.