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Corruption: We didn’t plug all loopholes, says Jonathan …insists he did well, had sound economic team

Published August 13, 2017
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Olusola Fabiyi

For the first time, former President Goodluck Jonathan said in Abuja on Saturday that his administration did not plug all loopholes in its bid to end corruption in the country.

But he said it was wrong to assume or say that the economy would have been in a worse shape if his administration had not been voted out of power in 2015.

The former president spoke at the Peoples Democratic Party non-elective national convention, which was held at the Eagle Square, Abuja.



Jonathan, who was accompanied to the podium by his former deputy, Mr. Namadi Sambo, some serving and former governors, including chieftains of the party, also delved into the achievements which he said were recorded during his administration.

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Though he was armed with a prepared speech, the former president appeared to be angry, especially when he made some statements outside his prepared text.

Apparently not satisfied with the bashing his government has been receiving from Nigerians, especially over the looting of the treasury by some of the officials who served in his government, the former president promised to talk soon.

He said even though there was a major flood disaster in the country in 2012, his government made sure that the prices of agricultural products did not go up.

Jonathan said, “Though we didn’t completely plug the loopholes in the fight against corruption, but we did well.

“I learnt that some people said that if the PDP had remained in power beyond 2015, the economy would have been worse. This couldn’t have been the case, because we had a sound economic team in place.

“Let us not forget that the great floods of 2012 were a major calamity that damaged homes and farmlands on the plains of River Niger and Benue.

“But despite the devastating effects of this natural disaster, there were no food shortages or arbitrary increase in prices, because of what we were able to accomplish with our agriculture transformation agenda, which considerably boosted food production.

“If we say that we rekindled hope in our people and regained international goodwill, it is because we pursued a number of policies and programmes that were not only richly rewarding for our people, but were also being copied by many countries across the globe, a few of which I will mention here.”

On the economic front, he said his government provided focused leadership through institutional and sectoral reforms which he said impacted positively on the fundamentals for growth, especially in the last four years of his time in power.

He said the effect was that his government was able to reduce inflation to a single digit, maintain price stability, grow the economy to become the largest in Africa with a GDP of over half a trillion US dollars, and the number one foreign direct investment destination on the continent.

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He expressed hope that the party would regain power in 2019, but begged its members to close ranks and remain committed. He also asked them not to be jittery or allow anyone to intimidate them, saying that God loves the former ruling party.

“The PDP is indeed back to reclaim its prime position as the party to lead Nigeria to greatness. As a human institution we cannot claim perfection, but obviously as a political party, our accomplishments as of 2015 far outweigh our shortfalls,” he said.

Jonathan added, “Nobody should intimidate the PDP. I believe in the PDP; even God Himself believes in the PDP. Today is August 12, look at the weather.

“God wants us to celebrate in the PDP, that’s why there is no rain. We are ready to take over the state houses of assembly, the National Assembly, the states as governors and the Presidency.

“It is important we manage our differences responsibly, with an eye on the divine role of the PDP to lead Nigeria to greatness. Let us rededicate ourselves to playing by the rules.

“Let us all ensure that the PDP is renewed in vigour to deliver on its divine responsibility to Nigerians. Let us forget the grievances of the past and look to the future with confidence and optimism.

“I urge you to go back to your respective constituencies to promote the ideals of our great party. Let it be known that our party has been born anew, committed to the best ideals of democracy.”

He called on members of the party to pronounce the rebirth of the party in every part of the country, adding that “the PDP is back to claim its rightful place in the affairs of the nation. As we have always done, we are ready to return Nigeria to the path of unity, peace and prosperity.”

Makarfi committee gets four extra months

During the convention, the PDP extended the tenure of the party’s national caretaker committee, which is headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

The committee, whose tenure expired on Saturday, was given another four months within which to organise a national convention where new national officers would be elected.

This was one of the resolutions passed and adopted by members of the party on Saturday.

Apart from organising a fresh election, the caretaker committee is also expected to settle all grievances by members of the party before leaving office.

With this extension, the tenure of the committee is expected to end on December 12, 2017.

A former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, moved the motion for the extension of the tenure and was supported by a former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido.

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, moved the motion for the dissolution and confirmation of the appointment of caretaker committee for Anambra State. His motion was supported by a former Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Ina Ciroma.

The national caretaker committee had earlier given the sack to two factions of the state executive committee and appointed a former Minister of Health, Prof. ABC Nwosu, as the chairman of the caretaker committee.

Also, the party removed its executive committees in seven states where it said there were either rancorous delegates elections or where there were none at all.

The states affected are Lagos, Adamawa, Kebbi, Osun, Ogun, Borno and Kwara. The caretaker committee was given three months to conduct fresh elections in the states.

Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, moved the motion for the sacking of the state executives and was supported by his Abia State counterpart, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.

A former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, also moved a motion for the confirmation of officers of the party in six geo-political zones of the country.

His motion, which was supported by a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, affected North-Central, North-East, North-West, South-West, North-Central and South-South.

With this, the party seemed to have resolved the crisis in the affected zones, especially in the South-West where two factions recently held different meetings in the name of the party.

While Mr. Makanjuola Ogundipe claims he remains the party’s authentic chairman in the zone, the convention on Saturday crowned Mr. Eddy Oyefeso from Ondo State as the recognised chairman.

Speaking, Makarfi insisted that there were five failed attempts to stop the convention.

Makarfi paid glowing tribute to the Supreme Court, which he said bailed the party out of the 12-months crisis that affected its fortunes.

He said the party was getting ready to assume power in 2019, and wished ailing President Muhammadu Buhari quick recovery, adding that the PDP would like to defeat him and his party.

“We mean well for President Buhari and we pray that he comes back (from London) fit and resume work. We want to defeat him and the APC in good health come 2019,” the former governor of Kaduna State added.

He said the convention was dedicated to the Nigerian youths who he said “are hungry and their parents have no money to pay for their school fees.”

Also speaking, Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, said the PDP had recovered and returned to restore vibrancy and integrity to Nigeria’s democracy, and urged Nigerians to partner the party.

Okowa, who was the chairman of the convention committee, said that the past two years presented great challenges to the party.

He said the loss of presidential election and the gale of defections were enough to sink the party’s ship, but expressed delight that the party had overcome its challenges.

Describing the PDP’s travails as “baptism of fire,” Okowa said that the party had survived an untimely death and this was a testimony to the resilience of its grass-roots’ structure, organisation and appeal.

He said, “Ours is a party firmly anchored on the grass-roots, connected to the people in a unique way that recognises that power truly belongs to the people.

“We are rebounding, realising that there is a champion in each of us in the party. A collective leadership and partnership, resolved to do things right, is all that we need to build the strength to recapture power.”

The committee chairman said the fact that the party became a victim of its own success was one of the sobering lessons that it learnt from its defeat.

Also, the Chairman of the party’s Senate Caucus, Akpabio, assured Nigerians that the party would not support any separatist agenda in the country.

The lawmaker, who is also the Minority Leader of the Senate, condemned hate speeches in some parts of the country, adding that the unity of the country was non-negotiable.

He assured Nigerians of the PDP’s support for policies of the present administration, which are aimed at taking the country out of recession.

He, however, said the party would not support any policy that would plunge the country into depression.

Pressure mounts on PDP to jettison zoning

Meanwhile, there are indications that the national leadership of the PDP is under intense pressure to jettison its already adopted zoning for the national offices, SUNDAY PUNCH learnt on Saturday.

The pressure, it was gathered, was being mounted by those who have interest in some offices.

The said offices are considered strategic as the party prepares for 2019 general elections.

Our correspondent gathered that the zoning of the offices was one of the issues discussed by the governors of the party and some party leaders at a meeting in Abuja on Friday night.

It was gathered that when arguments for and against the zoning formula originally adopted by the party became intense, the party leaders decided to suspend it and opted for setting up a committee on the matter later.

Before now, the party had zoned the office or its national chairman to the South-West. Also zoned to the region were the positions of National Treasurer and Deputy National Publicity Secretary.

The party zoned the positions of First Deputy National Chairman, National Legal Adviser, Deputy National Woman Leader and Deputy National Auditor to the South-South.

The South-East got the offices of the National Organising Secretary, National Youth Leader and Deputy National Financial Secretary.

Spokesperson for the National Caretaker Committee of the party, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, told our correspondent that the party would set up a committee on the matter.

“It is one of the issues that we would handle as soon as we settle down now. The committee will evaluate the zoning and come up with what is imperative,” he said.

Meanwhile, our correspondent gathered that some governors prevailed on the party not to suspend members loyal to Ali Modu Sheriff, with the decision reached at the last minute.




http://punchng.com/corruption-we-didnt-plug-all-loopholes-says-jonathan/

Oga Jonah must you talk

The truth is you are only popular among enemies of the state.

The truth is 2019 election is not the kind of election I wish for my country

It will be based on keeping ones pride and tribal stuff

Just because if the hatred and enemity Igbos and enemies of the state have preached over the time

Strange as may sound. PDP has more competent hands than APC.
The ability of the PDP to hold it's NEC, BOT AND Convention despite the plethora of obstacles thrown at it shows a temerity, seriousness and quality that has eluded the APC consistently

2019 election will follow the same pattern of tribal and religious voting, and also the best riggers.... nothing new...

However I would have preferred no one to vote... or all conte

2019 election will follow the same pattern of tribal and religious voting, and also the best riggers.... nothing new...

However I would have preferred no one to vote... or all contestants do a debate as to how to solve Nigeria's problem... this country is suposed to be a giant in....

Education
Sports
Entertainment
Economy
Science and Technology
Happiness
Peace
Security
Faithfulness and patriotism
Equality, equity and Justice.....

Buh we let ourselves down because of evil, tribalism, religion, greed.....

obonujoker:
2019 election will follow the same pattern of tribal and religious voting, and also the best riggers.... nothing new...

However I would have preferred no one to vote... or all contestants do a debate as to how to solve Nigeria's problem... this country is suposed to be a giant in....

Education
Sports
Entertainment
Economy
Science and Technology
Happiness
Peace
Security
Faithfulness and patriotism
Equality, equity and Justice.....

Buh we let ourselves down because of evil, tribalism, religion, greed.....

PDP will make fools out of APC members. Especially if they are allowed to stay with the facts, no blackmail or insinuations...

NgcoboP:

PDP will make fools out of APC members. Especially if they are allowed to stay with the facts, no blackmail or insinuations...

Yep that's right... the only weapon APC has against the PDP is blackmail, and this is because they know Nigeria isn't an educated and enlightened country, so the blackmail will thrive... it easy, just go to any uneducated gathering and shout Diezani 'ole', Jonathan 'ole' etc, and the gullible citizens will swallow it without thinking of greater thieves like 'buhari or Tinubu or Amaechi.......

Mr Op as usual you never fail to disappoint your benefactors at least edit out the adverts nah, must you regurgitate everything?

Only a brain dead zombie will score this present travesty of an administration higher than Gej or indeed any PDP govt. Quote me any day, Buhari's civilian administration is the worst govt after Buhari's military junta which has also both been the worst governments since amalgamation in 1914. Check the indices yourself then spit on Buhari's head, over 12 trillion naira down the drain since 2016 with only Daura helipad to show for it, Ogoni clean up has turned to story same with projects all over the country. From sports minister to finance to information, it's embarrassment galore and to think it took over 6 months to appoint these clowns.... smh

Take or leave it.GEJ even though he had his own shortcomings,he still performed better than buhari.

obonujoker:


Yep that's right... the only weapon APC has against the PDP is blackmail, and this is because they know Nigeria isn't an educated and enlightened country, so the blackmail will thrive... it easy, just go to the mosque and shout Diezani 'ole', Jonathan 'ole' etc, and the gullible citizens will swallow it without thinking of greater thieves like 'buhari or Tinubu or Amaechi.......

must u bring the mosque into these? I agree with your sentiments, but u bringing in mosque into the picture sound ridiculous. more than 80% of Nigerians are biased and irrational. if you could just remove that religious flava, your submission is as good as nailed. thanks don't mean to insult u

Ahmadgani:
must u bring the mosque into these? I agree with your sentiments, but u bringing in mosque into the picture sound ridiculous. more than 80% of Nigerians are biased and irrational. if you could just remove that religious flava, your submission is as good as nailed. thanks don't mean to insult u

Alright.... thanks

I was surprised that a whole Nigeria couldn't send athletes to IAAF competition in London, buh there is money to waste on an unpatriotic wicked President, and yet everyone is OK..... mhen, Nigeria let's wake up... Don't allow God do us the Sodom and Gomorrah stuff, coz its getting worse.....

sarrki:
Oga Jonah must you talk

The truth is you are only popular among enemies of the state.

The truth is 2019 election is not the kind of election I wish for my country

It will be based on keeping ones pride and tribal stuff

Just because if the hatred and enemity Igbos and enemies of the state have preached over the time

You are asking a whole ex-president if he must talk while your messiah is in a foreign land receiving treatment at the expense of tax payers money despite preaching buy naija sell naija.

Sarrki or whatever you call yourself....your level of zombeism is out of this world.If a to be criticize this government,the person is either "ipob" or enemy of state.

Keep on doing your "BMC" work,I only pity your next generation.

At the start of this administration, Jonathan was quiet because he didn't know what magic Buhari would perform. But after 2 years of even more cluelessness and stagnancy, he knows he can come out proud and talk.

That's what Buhari's ineffective government gets you

Yes, we had sound economy, but you lost the election because of three issues :
First, your belief that stealing is not corruption, thereby allowing your ministers, political aids, friends and family members to dip their hands into our Commonwealth.

Secondly, your inability to remove the three governors in the Boko Haram affected States, declaring a state of emergency in the three States, apointing military sole administrator, relocating military command mauduguri, thereby ending Boko Haram in two months.

Thirdly, you did absolutely nothing for Nigerian unemployed youths, instead of providing gainful employments for Nigerian youths, you allowed Abba Moro to scam them through immigration wayo. Those you mustered courage to employ, you paid them 30 , 000 naira monthly. Even when you know that that amount can not cover transport fare talk more their feeding, medical bills, housing, electricity and (or) water rates.

I pray and hope that PDP presents you again as their presidential candidate in 2019, I believe you will do better than the current president because upon all your presidential shortcomings, you didn't celebrate 100 days in London.

I wish you good luck in your political carrier sir.

Atiku2019

If GEJ had won 2015 election:
Deziani wud have still been d Oil Minister
Dansuki wud have still been d NSA boss
Oke NIA (Ikoyigate) wud have still been der, Amosu (NAF), Alex Badeh (chief of defence),NA n NN bosses wud still have been der
FFK n Omockery wud still been his spokesmen,
Not to forget Mettuh and Dokpesi, Bafaarau dat use 800M for prayers wud still have been der, Tompolo,Clark, Akpobolome, Dokubo n his Godson wud have still been in govt.
Not to talk of madam patience and Custom boss
Well Fayose/his fellow governors can loot freely
Also other thieves inform of over inflated contracts.
Our present recession wud ve been a child's play.
I can stop thanking God for bringing PMB our way.
To d children of looters n Saboteurs, PMB will still defeat ur useless party anytime any day.

Meanwhile the ministers who served under him are languishing in jail, they've started complaining , they want Jonathan to go and tell EFCC that he indeed approved and disbursed the funds the ministers are in detention for

He's right. This government is turning to be the worst on all fronts.

Atleast he do accepted his mistakes unlike 1 man somewhere hiding and waiting for foreign doctors to tell him wen to come back to his country for day 99

ochukwuma15:
Yes, we had sound economy, but you lost the election because of three issues :
First, your belief that stealing is not corruption, thereby allowing your ministers, political aids, friends and family members to dip their hands into our Commonwealth.

Secondly, your inability to remove the three governors in the Boko Haram affected States, declaring a state of emergency in the three States, apointing military sole administrator, relocating military command mauduguri, thereby ending Boko Haram in two months.

Thirdly, you did absolutely nothing for Nigerian unemployed youths, instead of providing gainful employments for Nigerian youths, you allowed Abba Moro to scam them through immigration wayo. Those you mustered courage to employ, you paid them 30 , 000 naira monthly. Even when you know that that amount can not cover transport fare talk more their feeding, medical bills, housing, electricity and (or) water rates.

I pray and hope that PDP presents you again as their presidential candidate in 2019, I believe you will do better than the current president because upon all your presidential shortcomings, you didn't celebrate 100 days in London.

I wish you good luck in your political carrier sir.

nice one bro, hope for nigeria, love the way you stated your points without abuse to anyone.
I dont support his coming back for now as i've not seen him accepting responsibility for his errors on the points you listed(same reason i was against him), however i dont buy the idea of pmb also for 2019(even if he is healthy).

OlujobaSamuel:

nice one bro, hope for nigeria, love the way you stated your points without abuse to anyone.
I dont support his coming back for now as i've not seen him accepting responsibility for his errors on the points you listed(same reason i was against him), however i dont buy the idea of pmb also for 2019(even if he is healthy).

Pmb will continue as long as he is getting it right.

MrPolitics:
At the start of this administration, Jonathan was quiet because he didn't know what magic Buhari would perform. But after 2 years of even more cluelessness and stagnancy, he knows he can come out proud and talk.

That's what Buhari's ineffective government gets you

we are tired of arguing with una about jonathan...encourage him to contest in 2019...

we will prove to una again that we realy dont like jonathan no matter what he says.....

buhari will win again even if he contest from london hospital on a sick bed...

tsdarkside:


we are tired of arguing with una about jonathan...encourage him to contest in 2019...

we will prove to una again that we realy dont like jonathan no matter what he says.....

buhari will win again even if he contest from london hospital on a sick bed...

Unlike you sir, I don't take sides with Nigerian politicians. I have traveled to a few countries to know that Nigerian politicians are playing with your lives. I honestly hope neither PMB nor GEJ win any election again. You shouldn't want them either

We deserve better

MrPolitics:


Unlike you sir, I don't take sides with Nigerian politicians. I have traveled to a few countries to know that Nigerian politicians are playing with your lives. I honestly hope neither PMB nor GEJ win any election again. You shouldn't want them either

We deserve better

all politicians are the same all over the world...

what do you want..

they give us only two choice.....buhari or jonathan....which type of stvpid system is that?...

democracy is rubbish...