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Tag: Goodluck Jonathan

  • Ongoing Primary Elections A Complete Mess – Jonathan

    Ongoing Primary Elections A Complete Mess – Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has described the ongoing primary elections across the country as a mess.

    There have been reports that aspirants and delegates in some parts of the country have monetized the process.

    Some aspirants who lost the election had demanded a refund from delegates who were given millions of Naira in a bid to secure a ticket for the 2023 elections.

    Speaking on Thursday in Abuja during a book launch titled “Political Party Governance” as authored by Dr. Mohammed Wakil, a former Minister of State, Jonathan said the process has failed.

    According to the former president, it would not be good to elect a president and governors using the same process.

    Jonathan said: “These whole primaries going on across the country is a mess. This is not a standard practice. The process has failed.

    “We cannot use the process to elect president, governors, senators and House of Representatives members and others.

    “The process has already failed, which is not good for the country. But we will manage and move on.

    “We pray that good people should come. I hope that what happened this year, 2022 will not happen again in this country.”

  • Former President Goodluck Jonathan Appointed To ECAM Council

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan Appointed To ECAM Council

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has made history by becoming the first sub-Saharan African leader to be appointed to the International Advisory Board of the European Corporate Council on Africa and the Middle East, also known as the ECAM Council.

    The ECAM Council is a non-profit organisation established with the purpose of promoting and developing relations between the countries of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the North Africa region.

    News of the appointment was announced in a statement on Wednesday by the special adviser to the former president, Ikechukwu Eze.

    Also appointed to the advisory board were the former Prime Minister of Britain, Tony Blair, and former European Commission President, José Barroso, among others.

    Former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been appointed to the international advisory board of the European Corporate Council on Africa and the Middle East (ECAM Council).

    By this appointment, Dr. Jonathan becomes the first sub-Saharan African leader to serve on the board of the ECAM Council, a non-profit organisation established with the purpose of promoting and developing relations between the countries of Europe, Africa, and the MENA (the Middle East and North Africa) region, with Italy playing a leading role.

    Other members of the Advisory board are Tony Blair, former British Prime Minister, José Manuel Barroso, former President of the European Commission, Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf, Secretary-General GCC Gulf Cooperation Council, and Amani Abou-Zeid, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy at the African Union Commission (AUC).

    A letter from ECAM Council to the Office of Dr. Jonathan informing him of the appointment stated: “For your information, the Chairman of ECAM Council Dr. Kamel Ghribi is well acquainted with Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. We are setting up an international advisory board of ECAM Council and Dr. Ghribi would be delighted to welcome him on board.”

    It noted that the Council was “founded with the purpose of developing realistic, effective and long-lasting solutions for more sustainable healthcare systems, with a special focus on the common issues affecting the Southern hemisphere of the globe.”

    Dr. Jonathan will be attending this year’s ECAM Council’s high-level advisory board meeting holding in Italy on 30th May.

    Every year in Italy, ECAM Council hosts a summit, in cooperation with The European House – Ambrosetti. It brings together a selected group of heads of state, government ministers and heads of multi-lateral agencies and focuses on long-term investment and international partnerships in healthcare and infrastructure, as well as the contribution of the private sector in creating strategic hubs in the African continent.

    Ikechukwu Eze

    Special Adviser to H.E. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

  • APC Presidential Form: I’m not Aware and did not Authorise it – Jonathan

    APC Presidential Form: I’m not Aware and did not Authorise it – Jonathan

    Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan has said he didn’t authorize the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential nomination form purchased for him by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association.

    Daybreak had reported that the group on Monday, procured the forms for Jonathan in Abuja.

    But reacting through a statement issued by Jonathan’s Spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze, he said the former president had no link to the northern coalition that purchased the form.

    He admonished those behind the charade to desist from further defacing his name and urged Nigerians to disregard it.

    According to him, buying a presidential aspiration form in his name, without his consent, knowing the position he had held in the country, was considered an insult.

    “We wish to categorically state that Dr. Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorise it.

    “We want to state that if the former President wanted to contest an election, he would make his intentions clear to the public and will not enter through the back door,” he stressed.

    Eze added that Jonathan had not in any way committed himself to run for president.

  • 2023: Jonathan Constitutionally Qualified To Run For Presidency – Ozekhome counters Falana

    2023: Jonathan Constitutionally Qualified To Run For Presidency – Ozekhome counters Falana

    Mike Ozekhome, human rights lawyer, says former President Goodluck Jonathan is “constitutionally” qualified to contest for president in 2023.

    Jonathan was Nigeria’s vice-pesident between 2007 and 2010. He became the president in May 2010 following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and completed the latter’s tenure.

    He won the 2011 presidential election, but lost his attempt to secure a second term in office in 2015.

    Recently, there have been speculations that Jonathan may defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest in the 2023 presidential election, but he is yet to declare his interest in the presidency.

    Several support groups have also asked him to run for president.

    Reacting to the calls for Jonathan to contest the presidency, Femi Falana, a human rights advocate, said section 137(3) of the constitution disqualifies Jonathan from contesting.

    Falana said Jonathan would spend a cumulative period of nine years as president, if he contests and wins the 2023 presidential election, adding that a person is constitutionally allowed to spend two terms of eight years as president.

    Falana’s comment has sparked varied legal reactions.

    Section 137(3) of the fourth alteration to the 1999 constitution reads: “A person who was sworn in to complete the term for which another person was elected as president shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term”.

    ‘JONATHAN CONSTITUTIONALLY QUALIFIED TO CONTEST PRESIDENCY‘

    Joining the fray, Ozekhome, in a legal opinion released on Friday, said it would be “grossly unfair” to deny Jonathan the right to contest for the 2023 presidency when the county’s extant laws and court decisions permit him.

    “The truth of the matter is that the antagonists of Jonathan running in 2022, in their strange line of argument, are mainly relying on the above section 137(3),” Ozekhome said.

    “They have probably not adverted their minds to sections 141 of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, and section 285(13) of the same fourth alteration to the 1999 constitution, as amended, which they are relying on.

    “More revealing is that these antagonists are probably not aware of an extant and subsisting court of appeal decision where Jonathan was frontallly confronted and challenged before the 2015 presidential election, on the same ground of being ineligible to contest the said 2015 election, having allegedly been elected for two previous terms of office.

    “The section 137(3) being relied upon by the antagonists was signed into law in 2018, three years after Jonathan had left office. Can he be caught in its web retrospectively?

    “It is clear that those deliberately misinterpreting the clear position of the law may be baying for Jonathan’s blood, possibly as a potential candidate who may subvert the chances of their preferred candidates.

    “I do not view issues from such a narrow ad homine prism and blurred binoculars. It will be grossly unfair, unconstitutional, unconscionable and inequitable to deny Jonathan of the right to contest the 2023 presidential election when our extant laws and appellate court decisions permit him to.

    “The question of whether Jonathan really needs to subject his glittering and internationally acclaimed reputation and credentials to the muddy waters of a fresh competition with persons, some of whom were his personal appointees as president, is another matter altogether.

    “Only him, and not the present state of the laws in Nigeria, can answer that question and decide his own fate. But, as regards his eligibility to contest, Dr Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan is pre-eminently constitutionally, morally and legally qualified to contest the 2023 presidential election.”

  • 2023: Why Jonathan Can’t Run For Presidency – Falana

    2023: Why Jonathan Can’t Run For Presidency – Falana

    Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, on Thursday said that former President Goodluck Jonathan cannot run for the 2023 presidential race.

    In a statement, Falana said Jonathan cannot contest the 2023 presidential election by virtue of Section 137 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

    “It has been confirmed that former President Goodluck Jonathan has decided to join the All Progressives Congress, APC, to contest the 2023 presidential election,” the statement partly read.

    “However, the former President is disqualified from contesting the said election by 137 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended which provides as follows: ‘A person who was sworn in to complete the term for which another person was elected as President shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.

    “Some people have said that the amendment is not retrospective and therefore cannot apply to Dr. Jonathan. Assuming without conceding that the amendment is not retrospective, it is submitted that under the current Constitution a President or Governor cannot spend more than 2 terms of 8 years. In other words, the Constitution will not allow anyone to be in office for more than a cumulative period of 8 years.

    “It is not in dispute that Dr. Jonathan became the President of Nigeria in 2010 following the sudden death of President Umaru Yaradua. He later contested and won the 2011 presidential election. Having spent 5 years in office as President, Dr. Jonathan is disqualified from contesting the 2023 presidential election.

    “The reason is that if he wins the election, he will spend an additional term of 4 years. It means that he would spend a cumulative period of 9 years as President of Nigeria in utter breach of Section 137 of the Constitution which provides for a maximum two terms of 8 years.”

    His comments followed speculations that the former president may defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Jonathan was elected President of Nigeria in the 2011 election but lost to Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

  • 2023: I will only join the Presidential race if directly endorsed by the President” – Jonathan

    2023: I will only join the Presidential race if directly endorsed by the President” – Jonathan

    Former President, Good luck Ebele Jonathan informed some APC Leaders that he will only join the Presidential race if directly endorsed by the President, Muhammadu Buhari; shortly after stating this his posters flooded the APC Secretariat.

    He stated this on Saturday, 23rd April, during a consultation between him and some APC Leaders, of which they want him to emerge as a Presidential Candidate.

    Although, it has been rejected by some support groups working for some aspirants in the party. Even though the plan has been announced, opposition to it was already swelling amongst members.

    Our correspondent also gathered that APC National Executive Committee said that all Presidential aspirants are aware of the plan to bring in Jonathan as the Consensus Candidate.

  • 2023: ‘I can’t tell if I’m contesting’ – Jonathan speaks on running for Presidency

    2023: ‘I can’t tell if I’m contesting’ – Jonathan speaks on running for Presidency

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday reacted to calls that he should run for the 2023 Presidency.

    Jonathan said he can’t tell if he will run for the Presidency in 2023.

    He disclosed this while addressing some supporters who besieged his office in Abuja, asking him to run for the Presidency in 2023.

    According to Jonathan: “I cannot tell if I’m contesting.”

    Hundreds of supporters, including women and youth groups, stormed Jonathan’s office, asking him to contest for President in 2023.

    The supporters arrived at the office with a musical band around 8:50 a.m.

    They lamented that hunger, insecurity, and unemployment, among others, have become the order of the day since he left office.

    The supporters said that both men and women have turned to beggars because of the unfavourable policies of the present administration.

  • 2023: Protesters storm Jonathan’s office, Begs him to Run for Presidency

    2023: Protesters storm Jonathan’s office, Begs him to Run for Presidency

    As Nigeria draws closer to its general elections, protesters on Friday, stormed the Abuja private office of Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, urging him to declare for 2023 presidential race.

    The group made up of men, women and youngsters stormed the office with posters and leaflets demanding that the former President joins the race.

    Some of the posters which bore Jonathan’s portraits read: “GoodLuck Jonathan,you must run” “We need you to restore Nigeria.”

    The supporters argue that the former President has the template to restore Nigeria’s pride of place and give all Nigerians a sense of belonging.

    A spokesman for the group, Mayor Samuel, who is also the convener of the Youth Compatriots of Nigeria said, “We were deceived and brainwashed by those who claimed they could do it in 2015.

    “Now, we know better, under Jonathan the minimum wage could buy one or two bags of rice. What do we have today? We are begging President Jonathan to forgive us, we have realized our mistakes, we want him back to complete what he started.

    Some groups had also called on Jonathan to contest. The Nigerian Young Professionals in Diaspora, NYPD, yesterday gave Jonathan one week ultimatum to declare for 2023 Presidential race or risked being sued.

    The group which comprises of Young Professionals in Diaspora is made up of Nigerians from all over the Country who are based in different countries.

    The convener of the group, Arc. Oladipo Akande in a press release made available to newsmen via email from Los Angeles, United States Of America stated that it was imperative for the former helmsman to throw his hat into the ring without further delay.

  • Goodluck Jonathan Escapes Death as 2 Aides Die in Auto Crash

    Goodluck Jonathan Escapes Death as 2 Aides Die in Auto Crash

    Former Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan, on Wednesday evening, escaped death after he was involved in an auto crash in Abuja.

    The accident claimed the lives of two of his aides, Inspectors Ibrahim Abazi and Yakubu Toma.

    The accident happened while Jonathan was on his way from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to his residence in Abuja.

    Confirming the accident, Jonathan’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ikechukwu Eze, offered condolences to the families of the deceased officers.

    He added that two other officers involved in the accident are receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja.

  • 2023 Elections Will Come And Go, Nigeria Will Remain – Jonathan

    2023 Elections Will Come And Go, Nigeria Will Remain – Jonathan

    Ahead of the 2023 general elections, former President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday allayed fears of Nigeria’s disintegration, saying the country will still remain.

    He stated this during the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)’s Council of the WISE strategic retreat and planning workshop which held in Lagos.

    “When elections are coming, there is always this fear that the country will implode. But you see that the country has remained stable,” he said.

    “When I was in office, (during) the 2015 elections, some people were sending words out of the country, but nothing happened at the end of the day. So 2023 will come and go and this country will remain.”

    The former Nigerian President also expressed confidence in ECOWAS ability to solve the numerous challenges confronting the sub-region.

    There has been series of coups in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso and some other West African countries leading to sanctions from the regional bloc as well as the African Union.

    But Jonathan, who chairs the forum, reiterated the commission’s determination to restore peace in the troubled countries.

    “The tasks ahead of us may seem dauting given the current challenges in our sub-region but it is not insurmountable. I implore all of us to give the assignment her best shot.

    “We will be seen to have done justice to this assignment if we succeed in catalysing processes towards institutionalizing systems that will deepen democracy, people-oriented governance and sustainable growths in our sub-region.”

    This is the first-ever non-state structure that forms part of the council’s peace and security architecture with Jonathan expressing confidence that the region can surmount its challenges.