{mos_fb_discuss:7}Goodluck Jonathan today hit out against a story in a newspaper that despite last Wednesday’s ruling by the Chief Justice of the Federal High Court, Mr. Dan Abutu, that he can assume the duties of Mr. President in accordance with Section 5(1) of the constitution, he is awaiting a directive from the First Lady, Hajiya Turai Yar’ Adua.
In an unprecedented and strongly-worded press statement, Mr. Ima Niboro, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Mr. Jonathan, declared as “entirely false” the notion that he needed to talk with the First Lady.
“The VP wants to state clearly that the last time he spoke with the First Lady was on Tuesday, January 5th, after he spoke with the president.
Indeed, it was the First Lady that called back shortly after to exchange warm pleasantries with the Vice-President.”
He said those behind the report were attempting to create in the minds of the Nigerian public “mischievous scenarios of indecisiveness” on the part of Mr. Jonathan.
In a tone dripping with anger, the statement goes on: “If we may ask, what was the crucial significance of the Abutu judgment that went over and beyond the subsisting scenario of the VP holding fort in the absence of the president? What therefore would form the directive basis for desperately seeking Mr. President’s point of view in the light of that ruling?”
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The statement did not identify those at whom it is aimed, beyond a vague reference to “some well placed individuals, within and outside the administration.” Saharareporters sources say, however, that it is unquestionably a direct indictment of Mr. Michael Aondoakaa, who was personally behind the suit in which the court declaration, which was meant to undercut Mr. Jonathan from benefitting from the provisions of section 145 of the constitution, was obtained.
But Aondoakaa’s “victory” was short-lived. Saharareporters has learned that after the Judge Abutu gave the controversial ruling that effectively prevented Mr. Jonathan from becoming acting president, the First Lady and other members of the kitchen cabinet became enraged with the AGF, accusing him of conceding too much to Jonathan at the ruling. Those fears were confirmed on Friday at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day when top generals of the military accorded Jonathan full presidential power to lay the traditional wreath at the tomb of the “Unknown Soldier.”
Just as quickly, Mr. Aondoakaa has found himself at daggers-drawn with Mr. Jonathan because of the fears that his limited powers could lead to his demise as a cabinet minister. It is of significant interest that Mr. Jonathan opted to issue a dark warning about this sore point.
Dismissing rumours that he has already prepared a list of ministers and top executives of key parastatals for dismissal from the administration, Mr. Jonathan said warned that no officials that are “on top of their jobs” needed to worry.
He then added: “But those who, rather than focus on delivering this administration’s mandate to the Nigerian people, prefer to cause acrimony and disunity in order to advance personal aggrandisement have every reason to fear!”
The full text of the statement is as follows:
Mischief makers at work
Jan 16, 2010, 16:26
This morning, a national newspaper published a report claiming that the Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has so far refused to act upon the Justice Dan Abutu ruling of Wednesday, 13th January, 2010, to the effect that he can assume the duties of Mr. President in
his absence in line with section 5(1) of the 1999 constitution, because he is awaiting a directive from the First Lady, Hajiya Turai Yar’ Adua.
This report is entirely false. The VP wants to state clearly that the last time he spoke with the First Lady was on Tuesday, January 5th, after he spoke with the president. Indeed, it was the First Lady that called back shortly after to exchange warm pleasantries with the Vice
President.
There is no doubt that those who packaged the report are only attempting paint non-existent pictures to the Nigerian public in the effort to create mischievous scenarios of indecisiveness on the part of the VP. If we may ask, what was the crucial significance of the Abutu judgement that went over and beyond the subsisting scenario of the VP holding fort in the absence of the president? What therefore would form the directive basis for desperately seeking Mr. President’s point of view in the light of that ruling?
May we also ask what crucial functions of the president the VP has declined to take upon himself since the Wednesday ruling? Barely 48 hours after the decision, we all witnessed how the VP led the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chief Justice of the Federation and the service chiefs, to take the salute at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
It is obvious that all these are part of the on-going effort by some well placed individuals, within and outside the administration, to take maximum advantage of the unfortunate situation that Mr. President, through no fault of his, has found himself health wise. The sponsors of this false and wicked campaign are well known to the
Federal Government, and in due time, they will be exposed and brought to book.
We are aware that these same people are sponsoring ridiculous stories in the media to the effect that the VP has already prepared a list of ministers and top executives of key parastatals to dismiss from the administration. There is no need to state that these are obvious lies.
The VP uses this occasion to state that key officers of government that are on top of their jobs need not harbour such fears. But those who, rather than focus on delivering this administration’s mandate to the Nigerian people, prefer to cause acrimony and disunity in order to
advance personal aggrandisement have every reason to fear!
The Vice President appeals to Nigerians to ignore the divisive strategies of those who do not wish the present administration well, and are anxious to bring the government to its knees by all means, whether fair or foul.
He remains eternally grateful to fellow compatriots who have continued to demonstrate unflinching solidarity to the nation in spite of these difficult times. He also extends warm acknowledgments to the vast majority of patriots and citizens who continue to pray for the
restoration of Mr. President’s health and his safe return to Nigeria.
IMA NIBORO
SSA Media and Publicity to the Vice President
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