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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 nonelective 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 .
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
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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 .
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 .
• We are guided by the principles of factual , balanced and fair reporting and commentaries .
• We believe that these principles and ethical conduct are the basis
“ 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
of public trust and confidence .
• We believe that a system of self regulation , through a professional code of ethics under an independent body 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
Code of Ethics would best serve the interest of the profession and society .
• We subscribe to the Ombudsman mechanism established by the Newspaper Proprietors ’ 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
Association of Nigeria , supported by other stakeholders , to mediate complaints against the press on ethical conduct and recommend redress .
August 13 , 2017
Corruption : We didn ’ t plug all loopholes , says Jonathan
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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 .
For more information , please contact : Office of the Ombudsman , Newspaper Proprietors ’ Association of Nigeria 8 , Maryland Crescent , Maryland , Ikeja . Or e-mail : ngrombudsman @ yahoo . com