I was not Interested in politics - Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan said on Friday that prior to the time he became the deputy governor of Bayelsa State, he was not interested in politics.

He made this known during a civic reception organised by the Bayelsa State Government at Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.

The former President, who arrived at the state capital in company with his wife, Patience, was given a heroic welcome.

Present at the reception was the host governor, Seriake Dickson, his wife, Rachel, Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, and the outgoing Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim.

Others were former Governor of old Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; former Governor of Adamawa State, Boni Haruna, and Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Kombowei Benson, among others.

Many women groups and musicians were on ground to give the ex-President a rousing welcome.

The venue of the reception was filled to capacity with the people singing and dancing.

Narrating how he dabbled into politics, Jonathan said, “It all started with me and Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha. I knew Alamieyeseigha when he wanted to contest the governorship of Bayelsa State under the defunct United Nigeria Congress Party. That was the first time I knew Alamieyeseigha. We formed groups in every local governments – two persons to sign petition to enable Alamieyeseigha to contest.

“But a late Chief Judge asked me and one person from Ogbia to sign the petition. Even though I was a civil servant, I signed the document. I was in the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission then. Of course, when he started his campaign, I joined.

“Not because I was interested in any elective office, but what drove me into joining Alamieyeseigha’s team was that those of us from very small communities always have problems and sometimes you have to run to government for assistance. I felt that if I worked with him and luckily he won, I would know some of the people in government.

“When electioneering started after Abdusalami Abubakar took over, Alamieyeseigha did not call me. But somewhere along the line because we had worked together, one evening, one Bozimo and another person came to my house and asked me to run with Alamieyeseigha as deputy governor.

“I was living in Port Harcourt then and I knew how primaries work and I said I would think about it. In fact, the following day, I told Bozimo that I was not interested, but the whole thing changed later. The detail will come later. That was how Bozimo and Alamieyeseigha brought me in and during the election, we won.

“From 1999 to date, my people and Nigerians have given me rare opportunity, rare privilege. I was deputy governor, governor, vice-president and President of the country. I am grateful to all Nigerians.”

He said the only thing he could do was to thank all Bayelsans, all Ijaw people, all people from the South-South and indeed all Nigerians for giving him the privilege to serve in different capacities. He said the best he could do now is to dedicate the remaining part of his life to peace building across the country.

He added, “Nigerians have given me so much that I cannot stay back. That is why I maintain that we need peace in this country. We need development in this country. Political crises don’t bring development.

“And I believe the new administration will work with all Nigerians and make sure Nigerians are happy. I am indeed happy about the statement the President made that he did not belong to any clique, but to Nigerians. I congratulate him for that.

“I thank Dickson and the people of Bayelsa for honouring me and my wife. I thank you all.”

In his remarks, Dickson described Jonathan as the hero of democracy in Nigeria and Africa.

“Jonathan is the hero of democracy and father of modern democracy in Nigeria. I thank God for giving us Jonathan. He is a great man of Ijaw nationality and Nigeria.”

Aisha Buhari shutdown beauty arena in Kaduna

Soft-spoken but extremely eloquent, there are many things that make Aisha Buhari, wife of Nigeria’s new president thick. Blessed with an infectious smile; many, often as a result of her warm disposition, underrate the power that lies in her.

Though, only soaring in popularity in recent months especially in the build up to the March 28 presidential elections where her husband, Muhammadu, a retired military general and former Head of State, coasted to an overwhelming victory, Aisha has always been a known face especially among people who seek to pamper their bodies. The First Lady, until recently, owned one of the biggest spas and beauty institute in the country. Situated along Camp Road, a high brow area of Ungwan-Rimi Government Residential Area in Kaduna State, Hanzy Spa and Hanzy Beauty Institute was always a beehive of activities all week long. It is the first beauty institute in Northern Nigeria and is a National Board of Technical Education accredited vocational training centre and registered by the Ministry of Education with the aim of exploring the untapped wealth in the emerging beauty industry.

However, since the victory of her husband in late March before his swearing-in in Abuja, the nation’s capital, on Friday, Aisha has since closed down the beauty parlour to take up the new role of Nigeria’s First Lady. The spa and beauty institute patronised by individuals across class, was sighted close to the private residence of the immediate past Vice President, Namadi Sambo. The institute was consulted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation/Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company to help train individuals under its Youth Empowerment and Skill Acquisition Programme.

But as popular and strategically-placed as the spa and beauty institute was, not many knew Aisha was the brains behind it. Like her more popular husband who is famed for shying away from limelight and prefers to stay at the background most of the time, she operated the business only as a professional and not as wife of a former Head of State at the time. Many clients, who visited the place and also came across her, attested to how simple and impressive at customers’ relations she was.

But Aisha didn’t just venture into the business of pampering people’s skin and bodies – she worked very hard to learn the tricks of the business and how to succeed in it. A trained esthetician who obtained a diploma in Beauty Therapy from the Carlton Institute of Beauty Therapy, Windsor, United Kingdom and a certificate course from the French Beauty School, Esthetique Academie Dubai, she is a member of the United Kingdom’s Vocational Training and Charitable Trust and the International Health and Beauty Council.

In an interview she granted Thisday Style last year, the beautiful Adamawa State-born mother of five said: “I’m a very busy person who does her things quietly. I keep to my profession as an esthetician, managing my spa and beauty institute both in Kaduna and Abuja. I also personally perform some advanced facial treatments like mesotherapy, gold facial and application of TCA etc. I have a number of documentations on my experience in this area including writing a book titled “The Essentials of Beauty Therapy.”

Though, now saddled with the bigger responsibility of giving her ageing husband the needed moral and emotional support required to bring massive transformation in a country craving for change, Aisha’s training and experience as a beauty expert could come to bear in the colouration of things within her control in the coming weeks. For neighbours close to the First Lady’s now closed beauty institute, they would miss the atmosphere she brought to the area.

I belong to everyone, I belong to nobody - President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday warned political forces or anyone who thought he would be answerable to him in the next four years, saying he belonged to nobody.

He spoke soon after he was formally inaugurated as the successor to Dr. Goodluck Jonathan at the Eagle Square, Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Amid intermittent applause and shouts of “Sai Baba” and “Sai Buhari” from the audience, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Muhammed, administered the oaths on Buhari at exactly 10.47am

In his inaugural speech, Buhari dressed in a cream-coloured kaftan with a brown cap to match stated that while he was prepared to serve Nigerians, who voted him into power on March 28, he would not be under the control of anybody.

“Having just a few minutes ago sworn on the Holy Book, I intend to keep my oath and serve as President to all Nigerians. I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody,” Buhari said.

He allayed the fears by some suspected past corrupt leaders who might view Buhari’s presidency as coming to victimise them.

He reassured such persons that their fears were unfounded, adding that he had opted to put the past behind him.

“A few people have privately voiced their fears that on coming back to office, I shall go after them. These fears are groundless. There will be no paying off old scores. The past is prologue,” Buhari said.

Rather than going after such persons, the President said the immediate task before him was to address the major concerns of Nigerians, mainly insecurity, “intolerable corruption” and epileptic power supply.

Although his speech did not clearly indicate the drastic steps he would take to solve the problem of the power sector, he recalled that the $20bn spent on the sector since 1999 had only left Nigeria in “darkness and misery” which must be “addressed.”

The President said, “No single cause can be identified to explain Nigeria’s poor economic performance over the years than the power situation. It is a national shame that an economy of 180 million generates only 4,000MW and distributes even less.

“Continuous tinkering with the structures of power supply and distribution and close on $20bn expended since 1999 have only brought darkness, frustration, misery and resignation among Nigerians. We will not allow this to go on. Careful studies are under way during this transition to identify the quickest, safest and most cost-effective way to bring light and relief to Nigerians.”

On insecurity, he admitted that the Boko Haram sect remained the major threat to Nigeria, saying that the Federal Government under him “must” do everything within its powers to bring insurgency to an end.

He arrived at the Eagle Square, Abuja, view of the inauguration at exactly 9.40 am, the time slated for him to arrive the venue in the programme of events.

Buhari promised to relocate the command headquarters of the fighting forces of the military to Maiduguri, Borno State, until Boko Haram was defeated.

The President added that his government would work tirelessly to ensure that the Chibok schoolgirls and other captives held by the terrorist group were released alive.

He said, “Progress has been made in recent weeks by our security forces but victory cannot be achieved by basing the command and control centre in Abuja.

“The command centre will be relocated to Maiduguri and remain until Boko Haram is completely subdued. But we cannot claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents. This government will do all it can to rescue them alive.”

On corruption, the President asked other tiers of government to support him in the arduous task of cleaning the country of sleaze, particularly in the public service.

He said, “Elsewhere relations between Abuja and the states have to be clarified if we are to serve the country better. Constitutionally, there are limits to powers of each of the three tiers of government but that should not mean the Federal Government should fold its arms and close its eyes to what is going on in the states and local governments. Not least the operations of the Local Government Joint Account.

“While the Federal Government cannot interfere in the details of its operations, it will ensure that the gross corruption at the local level is checked.

“As far as the constitution allows me I will try to ensure that there is responsible and accountable governance at all levels of government in the country. For I will not have kept my own trust with the Nigerian people if I allow others abuse theirs under my watch.”

The President also gave an insight into how he would relate with the National Assembly and the Judiciary.

He noted that while he would not interfere in the activities of the legislature, Buhari advised the National Assembly to stick to its “brief of making laws.”

Buhari called on the judiciary to free itself from the mistakes of the past where some judicial officers were perceived to be corrupt. He also sought the cooperation of labour unions, organised private sector, the press and civil society organisations.

According to him, employers and workers must unite in raising productivity so that everybody will have the opportunity to share in increased prosperity.

“The Nigerian press is the most vibrant in Africa. My appeal to the media today – and this includes the social media – is to exercise its considerable powers with responsibility and patriotism,” he said.

Acknowledging the task before him, Buhari said, “With depleted foreign reserves, falling oil prices, leakages and debts the Nigerian economy is in deep trouble and will require careful management to bring it round and to tackle the immediate challenges confronting us.”

The challenges, he said, included Boko Haram, the Niger Delta situation, the power shortages and unemployment, especially among youths.

Buhari said, “For the longer term, we have to improve the standards of our education. We have to look at the whole field of medicare. We have to upgrade our dilapidated physical infrastructure.”

Before the inauguration, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, former Vice-President, Namadi Sambo and other top officials of government had arrived the Eagle Square amid cheers.

Buhari and Jonathan too had arrived in succession, acknowledging cheers from the surging crowds.

It was Osinbajo, in company with his wife, Dolapo, who first took the oath of office and oath of allegiance at 10:30 am as dignitaries and supporters of the All Progressives Congress cheered.

When Buhari took his turn, the surging crowd nearly enveloped the podium, giving security operatives very tough time to control.

A 21-gun salute soon followed amid a colourful parade by a combined party of the military and the Nigeria Police Force.

Jonathan, who did not come with his wife, Patience, soon took his leave after handing over the symbol of authority to Buhari.

The former President waved his final goodbye, but without uttering a word as the brief ceremony lasted.

Buhari's inaugural speech, powerful age da for Nigeria- John Kerry

The United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, on Friday, described President Muhammadu Buhari’s inaugural speech as laying out “a powerful agenda.”

Kerry, who gave assurance that the United States would support the new administration to tackle insurgency and the economic challenges bedevilling the country, was accosted by journalists within the venue of the inauguration immediately after the event.

He said, “The inauguration is historic and very promising. The President made a very important speech, laid out a very powerful agenda and the United States is prepared to work very closely to help to do and everything we can on the economy, Boko Haram and other issues. The President did a very great job today.”

Others who also spoke with our correspondent at the venue of the event on Friday were former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, an All Progressives Congress chieftain and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Audu Ogbeh; former Anambra State governor, Chimwoke Mbadunuju; and a member of the House of Representatives, Opeyemi Bamidele.

They hailed the agenda set out by Buhari in his inaugural speech.

Atiku, who described the inauguration as historic, said the President’s inaugural speech was a reflection of the APC manifesto.

He said, “It is a very historic day for our democratic process and for Africa. His promises are based on the party’s manifesto and I believe we will all work towards achieving the objectives.”

Bamidele said the speech reflected seriousness, focus and “demonstrated the resolve of a man who is determined to really make a difference.”

He added, “And going by the antecedent of the Vice-President, I have no doubt that the administration will hit the ground running. I also have no doubt that this should mark the true beginning in the kind of the transformation that we need in the area of building our economy, strengthening our democracy and ensuring good governance in this country.”

Mbadunuju also expressed confidence that Buhari would deliver on his promises.

Fayose hails Buhari's inaugural speech.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has hailed the inaugural speech of President Muhammadu Buhari, describing it as a sign that the president is ready to serve all Nigerians, not minding their political affiliation.

The governor said, “The content of the president’s speech showed a man who is desirous of making a success of his administration.”

According to the statement issued by the governor’s Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the governor also hailed the immediate past president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, describing him as a good democrat.

The governor said; “Nigerians, including those who voted and did not vote for President Buhari were eagerly waiting for his inaugural speech.

“The speech, if followed in practice shows that he is ready to govern Nigeria. It is a sign that the President is ready to live above board and lead a government that accommodates all.

“It is my prayer that the Almighty Allah will grant our President the courage and wherewithal to make a success of his administration and further deepen democratic governance, especially in a confederation like Nigeria by sustaining the rule of law.”

Speaking further, Governor Fayose, who urged the president to make sure that his name was not used surreptitiously by anyone to muscle the opposition, added that as the President of Nigeria, he had the constitutional duty to protect all Nigerians, not minding the political party they belong to.

While praising former President Goodluck Jonathan for his love for peace and progress of the country, Governor Fayose said; “With what Dr. Goodluck Jonathan did, history will never forget him as the man who laid an enduring foundation for democracy in Nigeria.”

He said Friday’s event midwifed by Dr. Jonathan and President Buhari proved to the whole world that the black people of Africa were capable of piloting their own affairs.

World cameras focused on Nigeria for Buhari's inauguration.

Global attention shifts to the world’s most populous black nation on the planet, Nigeria, where the country’s fifth democratically elected president, Muhammadu Buhari, will be inaugurated on Friday (today).

Contrary to speculations, indications emerged on Thursday that the outgoing President, Goodluck Jonathan, will attend the historic occasion which would mark the first time a sitting president would hand over power to a victorious challenger.

The event expected to be witnessed by many world leaders will take place at the Eagle Square, Abuja, the nation’s hilly capital city.

As of the last count, no fewer than 20 world leaders have flown into the country in readiness to attend the ceremony.

Activities at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, peaked on Thursday as Presidents and representatives from many countries landed at the facility and were subsequently driven to their various hotels.

Our source learnt that Jonathan, whose administration had earlier expressed the wish to hand over power to Buhari a day before the May 29 official date, has decided to attend the event in demonstration of his sportsmanship.

It was gathered that the outgoing President would fly the flagship of the presidential fleet codenamed “Nigerian Air Force 001” or “Eagle One” in an official capacity as President for the last time today.

After the inauguration, the aircraft will fly Jonathan to the Port Harcourt Airport, Rivers State, from where he is expected to be flown in a helicopter to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, en route a homeward journey in a convoy of cars to Otuoke, his hometown.

Speculations were rife that Jonathan might shun the inauguration ceremony owing to the acrimony that greeted the election.

But a top Presidency official, who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent that Jonathan would attend the event.

He said if Jonathan failed to attend the event, he might end up portraying himself as a bad loser despite the fact that he conceded defeat to Buhari shortly after the election.

The official, however, expressed the hope that the leaders of the All Progressives Congress would prevail on their supporters not to do anything to humiliate the outgoing President at the event.

The official said, “Immediately after the inauguration, the outgoing President will travel to his state on Air Force 001 for the last time.

“As a former President, any of the smaller aircraft in the presidential fleet can be made available to him on request, but not the 001. The only reason why he can fly that aircraft again is either if he becomes the President again or if he is to accompany a sitting President on a trip.”

Jonathan out, Buhari in

Jonathan is leaving office after a five-year stint as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Jonathan, who became the President in May 2010 following the death of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, finished the one year remaining in his former boss’ administration and went ahead to contest the 2011 presidential election which he won.

He contested the March 28 presidential election but his re-election bid was thwarted by Nigerians who chose Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress.

Jonathan and his handlers believe that as he is bowing out of office, he is leaving a legacy that is unparalleled in the nation’s history.

The government’s programmes were centered on what he called Agenda for National Transformation.

His administration prided itself as having succeeded in the areas of electoral reform, revamping of the railway system, remodelling of airports, privatisation of power sector, agriculture, and rule of law, among others.

Critics of Jonathan are, however, of the opinion that his administration aided corruption and impunity.

This has fuelled the calls on Buhari to probe the outgoing administration, especially the oil sector, where the allegation of missing funds was rife.

Buhari will be taking his Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office today before Nigerians and friends of the nation with a burden to run his government differently in accordance with his party’s “change” mantra.

10 world leaders arrive for inauguration

It was learnt that before 5pm on Thursday, the aircraft of over 10 African countries had touched down at the tarmac of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Our correspondent gathered that the two recently inaugurated lounges for pilots and international protocol officers located close to the international wing of the airport, were beehives of activities as some guests were received at the new facilities.

Officials at the NAIA stated that the Presidents of the different nations were sighted at the presidential wing of the airport while countries, whose Heads of State could not show up, sent representatives.

The flags of the visiting countries were displayed on the airplanes.

“Some of the countries whose Presidents or representatives are now in Nigeria include Mali, Sudan, South Africa, Namibia, Chad, Morocco, Burkina Faso, Senegal, the Gambia and Guinea,” an official of NAIA said.

The President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, was sighted at the airport, according to our source, who added that the advance teams of France and the United States were on the ground as of the time of filing this report.

The official stated that the flight of the US government was scheduled to land around 3am on Friday.

Our source said, “Other countries whose Presidents or representatives also arrived Abuja airport on Thursday included Togo, Angola, Lesotho, France, Ghana, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Brazil and Saudi Arabia. More are still coming, going by the manifest that we have.”

Obama sends Kerry, Olajuwon

The United States President Barrack Obama has detailed the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, including basketball icon and Olympic Gold medallist, Hakeem Olajuwon, to the inauguration. Other members of the delegation are the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, and the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Department of State, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

Also in the delegation are Commander, U.S. Africa Command, General David Rodriguez, and the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs, National Security Council, Grant Harris.

Court dismisses bid to stop Buhari’s inauguration

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed an application seeking to stop the inauguration.

A non-governmental organisation, Advocacy for Societal Rights Advancement and Development Initiative, had on Tuesday filed a suit as well as an ex parte application seeking an interim injunction restraining the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, from inaugurating Buhari on Friday.

The application was adjourned till Thursday for hearing following the failure of the representative of the plaintiff or its lawyer, Mr. Philip Ekpo, to show up in court on Wednesday when the application was initially fixed for hearing.

After hearing the plaintiff’s lawyer on Thursday, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, dismissed the application for lacking in merit.

He held that the urgency which the application was predicated on was self-induced because the election in which Buhari emerged as president had held about two months before the suit was filed.

Justice Ahmed held, “The presidential election in which the 1st defendant (Buhari) emerged winner took place on March 28, 2015; today is May 28. It is now two months the election took place. Now, I sincerely ask, how can a court grant an interim injunction on the issue?”

“Where was the plaintiff/applicant before and after the election? Is it that the applicant did not know about the presidential election of March 28 or what?

“The inauguration of the 1st defendant will be held tomorrow (Friday) and the applicant is talking about urgency.

“This motion ex parte is a clear case of self induced urgency. Therefore this application is devoid of merit and accordingly dismissed.”

The judge subsequently adjourned the suit till June 24.

Buhari’s counsel, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had earlier asked the court to hear the application but the request was rejected.

The court agreed with the plaintiff’s lawyer’s submission that Order 26 rule 9 of the Federal High Court forbade him from being heard in such an application filed as an ex parte.

Buhari, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, are the 1st to the 3rd respondents in the suit respectively.

The plaintiff is seeking an order restraining the CJN from inaugurating in the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday, May 29.

The suit also seeks an order nullifying the Certificate of Return issued to Buhari by INEC.

The plaintiff hinged the suit on the allegation that Buhari did not qualify to contest the presidential election on the grounds that he gave a false information about his academic qualification to INEC.

Between January and February 2015 there were about 10 cases instituted by various plaintiffs challenging Buhari’s eligibility to stand for the polls on the grounds of his academic qualification controversy. But after he won, the cases were withdrawn.

In the fresh suit filed by its lawyer, Mr. Philip Ekpo, the group alleged that Buhari did not meet the qualification enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act to stand for the March 28, 2015 presidential election.

The plaintiff is seeking an order of interim injunction restraining the CJN “or any person acting in his capacity” from swearing in Buhari as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, 2015 or any other date thereof pending the determination of the Motion on Notice.

Police assure of security

The Nigeria Police Force has assured Nigerians and foreign dignitaries of adequate security for the inauguration.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, in a telephone interview on Thursday, explained that the police had deployed an anti-bomb squad as well as thousands of riot and conventional policemen nationwide.

According to him, operatives had been dispatched to various strategic parts of Abuja, including vulnerable areas, hotels and shopping plazas to ensure a hitch-free transition.

He said, “Our men are on the ground nationwide to ensure a successful inauguration programme in Abuja and the states. The different squads and units have been deployed and we want to assure Nigerians and our international guests that adequate manpower has been deployed and the security of everyone is guaranteed.”

When asked to give the number of personnel that would be on duty for the inauguration, Ojukwu declined, saying he could not do that for strategic security reason.

“I can’t give you the number of personnel that we have deployed, but I can tell you that adequate manpower had been deployed nationwide to protect lives and property and to ensure a smooth inauguration ceremony,” the spokesman stated.

NSCDC deploys 55,000 operatives

In a related development, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps said it had deployed 5,000 officials in the Federal Capital Territory and 50,000 others across the states.

The NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Okeh, told our correspondent that sniffer dogs and surveillance vehicles would be on duty throughout the period of the inauguration.

He said, “We are deploying 55,000 personnel nationwide as well as sniffer dogs and other units. Five thousand operatives would be on duty in the FCT while the rest would work in the states in collaboration with our sister agencies.”

Abuja hotels

Meanwhile, the major hotels in Abuja have been playing host to foreign dignitaries and diplomats who are billed to attend the inauguration.

Foreign visitors including journalists from different countries were seen checking into the Transcorp Hilton and Sheraton hotels on Thursday.

As part of measures to make the visitors comfortable, the Transcorp hotel had reserved two lifts for VIPs.

Respect rule of law, Mark tells Buhari

Senate President, David Mark, on Thursday, urged the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to adhere strictly to the rule of law and respect human rights while discharging his constitutional responsibilities.

He specifically appealed to him to “do the needful for citizens and anchor his actions on adherence to rule of law, respect for human rights, freedom of expression, equity and justice.”

The senate president said he anticipated an egalitarian society under the new government where all citizens would be safe and protected to live and carry out their legitimate duties without fear of molestation or harassment in any part of Nigeria.

Mark, who stated this in his goodwill message to Nigerians on the occasion of Democracy Day celebration, also said, “All hands must be on deck as everyone plays his or her role to ensure that our democracy endures.”

Nigeria Mr. Adeshina, outgoing Minister for Agric emerge AFDB President

The immediate past Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, on Thursday emerged as the new President of the African Development Bank.

The 55-year-old Adesina, who until yesterday (Thursday) served the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan as a minister, defeated seven other contestants from across the continent by scoring 58 per cent of the votes cast in an election held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, where the AfDB is based.

He contested against Chadian Finance Minister, Kordje Bedoumra, who secured 32 per cent of the votes, and his counterpart from Cape Verde, Cristina Duarte, who got 10 per cent.

The AfDB said on its Twitter feed that Adesina would take over from Donald Kaberuka of Rwanda on September 1 as the 50-year-old body’s eighth leader.

“It went very well. We are really elated and grateful we have delivered this for Nigeria. We had a great candidate and a lot of support,” the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, told Reuters after the result was announced.

The bank, which was founded in 1964 to provide capital to foster economic development and alleviate poverty in its member states, is financed by both African nations and shareholder countries outside the continent.

Among other things, analysts say Adesina will have to guide the bank through the continent’s increasingly complex financial environment, where nations are turning to non-traditional partners like China and international debt markets.

Adesina was said to have been recommended to Jonathan by the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi, having reportedly impressed Sanusi with his work on programmes to improve agriculture credit.

Bloomberg quoted Adesina as saying that the AfDB needed to focus on promoting investment by businesses.

“He is an example of a leader in the Nigerian political space who has done well,” Ebenezer Essoka, vice chairman for Africa at Standard Chartered Plc, told Bloomberg.

He becomes the AfDB leader at a time when falling prices of oil, copper and other commodities dim the outlook for economic growth and investment in Africa. The AfDB’s loans and grants amounted to $7.8bn in 2014, 22 per cent more than the previous year.

Despite being a prominent member of Jonathan’s cabinet, the newly sworn in President Muhammadu Buhari supported Adesina’s candidature for the AfDB position and personally campaigned for him.

Shortly after he defeated Jonathan in the March 28 presidential election, Buhari sent former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as a special envoy to President Jacob Zuma of South Africa pleading for his support for Adesina to become the AfDB president.

As agriculture minister, Adesina tried to revitalise farming after decades of neglect following the discovery of oil in Nigeria in the 1950s. He has been praised for bringing more transparency to fertilizer subsidies, a programme riddled with corruption in the past.

The Federal Government had estimated that food production increased by 21 million metric tonnes during his tenure.

Angry police beat up protesters at PDP HQTRs in Abuja

There was confusion at Wadata House, the National Headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday in Abuja, as angry police officers, led by one Sergeant Reuben Onu and a staff of the party, physically assaulted workers of Twinkles World Limited who were protesting against unpaid debts estimated at N360m.

The company handled the contract for the decoration of the PDP presidential campaigns in all states of the federation in the last general elections.

During the protest, the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Tunde Agarawu, and Project Coordinator, Mr. Awonaiya Olayemi, were physically assaulted.

While the managing director was slapped by Onu and an unidentified employee of the PDP, Olayemi was pelted with sands on his head by same officers.

The police team later reinforced, coming with many other police officers to scare away the protesting workers numbering over 30.

But a police officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the MD was assaulted because he did not heed the advice to channel their grievances to Legacy House, the office of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization.

The firm reiterated its decision to drag President Goodluck Jonathan and the party to court over the unpaid debts.

Already, their lawyer had issued a seven-day ultimatum to PDPPCO to offset the debt or face an action in court.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions like, “PDPPCO is owing us for the service we provided them”, “Prof. Jerry Gana, pay us our money now!”, “Dr. Ahmadu Alli, DG of PDPPCO, pay our money now”, “Mr. President, Prof. Jerry Gana is yet to pay Twinkle World Limited,” and “Nigerians: PDP is owing Twinkle World.”

Agarawu said since Jonathan lost the presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari, he and the PDP hierarchy had failed to pay most debts incurred for the campaigns.

He alleged that a former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, and other members of the PDPPCO deliberately withheld their money, even though a directive has been given by the immediate-past chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, that the debts should be cleared.

In an interview with journalists at the PDP secretariat, Agarawu said there was no going back in the pursuit of the management to get the money.

He said, “It is a battle of no retreat, no surrender.”

According to him, the complaints have reached President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said the President was shocked that the money has not been paid, despite the overwhelming evidence that it has been released to the PDPPCO.

“President Goodluck Jonathan is not happy. We have been told that the man is embarrassed because he also gave money to the PDPPCO and yet he is hearing these stories about debts running into billions of naira. The President told somebody close to us that he is not owing us because he was just a presidential candidate of the PDP and that if there is anybody owing us, it is the PDPPCO”, Agarawu said.

While several efforts made to get Gana for response were not successful, calls and text messages to his Personal Assistant, Mr. James Agbo, over the same matter were not replied.

Our source recalled that Agarawu said no mobilisation fund was given to them before the commencement of the project, adding that banks and corporate bodies where they sourced loans to execute the project were already demanding for the payment of their funds.

He had said, “We are constrained to make this urgent request to the leadership of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization and Prof. Jerry Gana with a view to pleading for prompt intervention for the payment of the nationwide venue beautification and publicity with inflatable for the Presidential campaign.

“We have resorted to taking this last step after exhausting every strenuous potential avenue of getting the matter resolved to no avail. At the moment, we believe strongly that only your personal, compassionate, humane, fair and just nature could help save this embarrassing situation that is capable of tarnishing and eroding further the good name and image of all concerned.

“The fact of the case was that on January 7, 2015, Twinkle World Limited was contracted to execute a nationwide presidential campaign venue beautification project in all of the 36 states of the federation. We are also expected to provide the awareness and publicity venue support services throughout the PDP nationwide presidential campaign from January 8 to February 6, 2015.”

Verdict, I did my best - Jonathan

Outgoing Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday took a critical assessment of his administration in the last four years and returned a verdict that he had done his best for the country.

He said his administration had impacted positively on key aspects of national life for the benefit of the citizens.

Jonathan said this in his remarks shortly before presenting his handover notes to the incoming President, Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The event, which was held inside the Council Chambers and witnessed by the All Progressives Congress’ chiefs, took place shortly after Jonathan conducted Buhari round the seat of power.

Vice President Namadi Sambo had also similarly conducted the Vice President-elect, Yemi Osinbajo, round his wing of the villa.

Jonathan presented an executive summary of his handover notes and a copy of the report of the National Conference to Buhari.

He expressed the hope that the notes would give the incoming administration an idea of his administration’s mission statement and the commitment of his government for the past five years.

He however said the report of the National Conference was more important to him than the handover notes because it was compiled by Nigerians.

He said if the report was implemented, most of the grey areas of national development would be resolved.

Jonathan said, “There is another document that I will hand over to you. To me, this is more important than the handover notes. The handover notes are the activities of an administration, they show where we started, where we are going; in some of the cases you will follow, in other cases you may take other angle.

“But this is a document that was compiled by Nigerians, the report of the National Conference 2014. We gathered almost 500 Nigerians from all walks of life, they were not influenced by government in any way.

“Most of the recommendations here, if they are followed, most of the grey areas even in our politics will be smoothened out.

“Most of the areas where people complain bitterly: corruption and others, this document deals with them. Some people here were members of that great body of about 500 eggheads.

“We were unable to implement the report because of the shortness of time. We have sent a copy to the National Assembly but it is a document that we are very hopeful your government will look into and give it the attention it requires.”

In assessing his administration’s performance, Jonathan said he had impacted positively on national life.

While admitting that challenges still abound, he expressed the conviction that they were surmountable.

He said as he handed over the reins of government, he believed that the nation is secure with its democracy stable and a bright future.

He added, “Our administration has done its best to intervene robustly and impact positively on key aspects of our national life.

“There is no doubt that challenges still abound, but they are surmountable and overwhelming national transformation remains realisable with continuity, commitment and consistency.

“Nigeria is blessed with citizens that will always remain faithful, firmly committed to national unity, accelerated political, social and economic development.

“As we hand over the reins of government, I believe that our nation is secure, our democracy is stable and the future is bright.

“Let us work together and with greater resolve, continue to build a stronger and more prosperous nation.”

He had earlier listed his administration’s achievements to include the success recorded against Boko Haram lately, the eradication of the Ebola Virus Disease, improved revenue mobilisation, agriculture, power sector privatisation, massive road construction, railways and aviation, anti-corruption fight, education, sports and foreign policy.

Jonathan recalled that the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System introduced by his administration had succeeded in weeding out 60,450 ghost workers in 359 out of 425 Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

He said the exercise had yielded N185.4bn in savings to the Federal Government.

Buhari, in his short remarks, said he would not be able to make any strong statement until after reading and digesting the handover notes.

He however commended Jonathan for conceding defeat in the March 28 presidential election, saying his decision changed the course of Nigeria’s political history.

He said the President could have made things difficult if he had wanted to do so.

He expressed delight that rather than taking any action that would be at the expense of the lives of Nigerians, Jonathan took the path of honour.

Buhari said, “What I will say is that since the telephone call you made (to me), you have changed the course of Nigeria’s political history.

“For that, you have earned yourself a place in our history, for stabilising this system of multi-party democracy system and you have earned the respect of not only Nigerians but world leaders.

“All the leaders that spoke to me and congratulated us for arriving at the point we arrived, mentioned this and I could understand a lot of relief in their voices that Nigeria has made it after all and this is largely owed to a situation.

“If you had attempted to make things difficult, you could have made things difficult and that would have been at the expense of the lives of poor Nigerians; but you chose the path of honour and may God help all of us. Thank you very much, Your Excellency.”