Coming on a day that would have been three days before the presidential election (had it not been postponed), Wednesday’s presidential media chat was expected to be heavy on electoral matters. It was, as expected; and the opening questions centred on the matters relating to the postponement.
The usual suspects – abducted Chibok girls, insecurity in the northeast, hate speeches in the polity – were discussed as well.
Here are 10 highlights of the chat.
‘POSTPONEMENT’ IS NOT ‘CHANGE OF DATE’
As expected, the media chat was kick-started by a question on the postponed elections and the president was asked to speak on the real factors that triggered it.
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“People are not being fair to me,” he said, and went on to explain that the election was only “rescheduled” – not that there was a “change of date”.
The constitution, he maintained, states clearly that the election should be conducted with 30 to 150 days before the handover date. The summary is that as far as the president is concerned, any election within this range is fine; it’s a rescheduling and it’s not fair on him for anyone to say the “date” was “changed”.
INEC DOES NOT CONSULT THE PRESIDENT
By inference, we all knew this before: if Jega was the type of person who always consulted the president, there would never have been rumours that he would be sacked or forced to proceed on three-month terminal leave.
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Read the president’s lips, he has no hand in the polls shift: “I was not consulted, and I don’t want to be consulted. In 2011, INEC did not consult me.”
If he knew the election would be postponed, he wouldn’t have made his last trip to Bayelsa.
“I wouldn’t have wasted my time and government resources. For every trip I make, I know what federal government pays,” he said.
JONATHAN NOT THE CDS
“I’m not the chief of defence staff that wrote the letter,” the president said as he began responding to a question on the real motives behind the postponement of the elections. “But as the chief security officer of the federation I have an idea.”
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No more insinuations that the president wrote the script acted by the security chiefs; he is not the chief of defnce staff!
NO HIDING PLACE FOR B’HARAM AGAIN
One way or the other, we have all suffered from the devastation of the northeast by Boko Haram. But Jonathan is assuring us that our sufferings are all but over, because Boko Haram no longer has a hiding place.
“Chad has moved in now, Cameroon as moved in now, so I really don’t think there is a hiding place for the Boko Haram again.
“In a place like Adamawa, we had seven local governments that were taken over by the Boko Haram. As we are talking, only Madagali is remaining; and I believe in the next few days, we will retake Madagali.”
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Cheer up Nigerians, victory is nigh!
ATTEMPTING TO HARM THE PRESIDENT IS TREASONABLE
This is serious warning to those hooligans who pelted the convoy of the president when he visited their states to seek their votes. Trying to attack the president – just trying – is treasonable offence. If one of the president’s soldier-guards shoots you, “nothing will happen”.
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The president delivered this warning himself: “Attempting to attack the president is treasonable; it’s treasonable offence.
“The president is protected by soldiers, not even police. The president is the only office holder that is guarded by soldiers. Every other person, including the vice president, it’s police.
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“The idea is that an attempt on the president president is treasonable; and you could be killed and nothing happens.”
Stop the violence; you could be killed. You have been warned!
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JEGA DOESN’T TRAVEL MUCH
Just in case you’re still mad with Attahiru Jega for postponing the elections and you’re bent on personally expressing your grievances to him, do not be misled by the magnitude of his office to think he would be so impossible to access. Well, the truth is: “Jega doesn’t travel much”. You only need to find your way to the INEC headquarters, locate his office, and present your case.
“I am a sitting president; that is the difference between me and other candidates. Whatever happens in the country is on my head,” Jonathan said while answering a question on the tension-soak campaign environment.
“If political parties behave poorly, the international community phones me. The UN secretary-general calls me regularly, other presidents call me regularly. It’s just like INEC. If INEC conducts this election poorly, it’s on my head.
“If INEC conducts this election like they did in 2011, I’m the one who takes the glory. Jega doesn’t travel much. Wherever I go, heads of states appreciate what Nigeria did in 2011, so I smile.”
JONATHAN WILL NEVER CRITICISE TOMPOLO
If you are one of those expecting the president to publicly censure militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (popularly known as Tompolo), for his many threats of violence if the president is not re-elected, quit dreaming! Wake up; smell the coffee! Asked on Wednesday if he was bothered by the utterances of Tompolo and others, the president answered the question without answering it. He did mutter some words, but he did not mention the name ‘Tompolo’. End of discussion.
POLITICIANS ALL ABOUT INTERESTS
Sometimes, it is amazing the scale of vitriol dotting the social media from supporters of the two leading presidential candidates. Of course, some of these social-media supporters are ‘just doing their job’. They’re only earning their daily bread. But so many others are not even registered members of any political party.
Let me help Jonathan pass a message to this second category of people in a manner he never intended but is apt nevertheless: It would be tragic for you to lose prized friendships or even your life because of humans who are only after their interests.
These are the president’s exact words: “At any particular time, a politician’s interest may change. And if he feels that if I go to the left, it is easier for me to realise my interest, then there’s a tendency for the politician to go to the left.”
While you’re busy screaming about the opponent of your preferred candidate, your candidate is busy crossing from left to right and back to left!
STEALING IS NOT GOOD
If you were expecting to hear that “stealing is not corruption”, I am sorry to disappoint you. What I have to tell you is that “stealing is not good”.
Jonathan has been harangued and pilloried for saying at the last chat that “stealing is not corruption”. But has he ever said stealing is good? This is one of the reasons he considers himself the world’s most criticised president.
Asked to speak on the matter during the chat, he said: “The good thing is that those who are making that statement have not told me that the president said stealing is good. I made that statement because I quoted the former CJN, Dahiru Musdapher…
“I quoted him; it is not as if I said it… He said that because of this corruption, he took the files that were talking about corruption, and when he looked through the files, more than 80 percent of them were just stealing.
“Got to a typical state in the south-west, even in Lagos, and say that man is corrupt, they would let him walk away. But when you say this person is ole, they start stoning that person… Ole should be called ole, thief should be called thief.”
As long as the president has not said stealing is good, we must all accept that “stealing is not corruption” and “corruption is not stealing”!
34 comments
Jonathan is a wolf in a sheep’s skin and those who truat him do so at their own peril. He is not willing to condem Topolo or Asari Dokubo or disassociate himslef from their threat to the nation. He claims that the success or failure of the election is his responsibility yet he was unaware that the CDS that reports to him was writing a letter that will cause a postponement of the election. He was conveniently away to Balyesa to use it as an excuse of not being well informed. He calls attack on his person as treason but his kinsmen threatening the whole nation with violence are not doing anything to be worried about.
@sawstonite, you wrote with a funny name as though you’re afraid of arrest. GEJ is not GMB . He allows people to enjoy their FREEDOM. Even if you end up insulting him, be rest assured you will not end up in jail. This is the big difference between him and GMB. Ole is ole and stealing is stealing. Corruption is corruption. Nigerians like simple things to be complex. Let’s call a theif a theif. Call a spade a pade, not a hole. @Sawstonite, pls feel free and reveal yourself.
@Callus Miller or what did you call yourself, you definitely belong to the group of people who are deliberately blind to facts! What kind of performance did GEJ put up during the chat? His responses to questions were too ordinary, superficial and pedestrian. It’s completely unpresidential. No statistics, no figures, no quotations or even paraphrasing – quite unbecoming of the leader of the most populous black nation in the world. To make matters worse, GEJ was trying to explain what “thief” or “corruption” means. For goodness sake, are you addressing Oshodi market women or Aba second-hand clothes sellers? Whether thievery or corruption, Nigeria has more than enough share of people for both – and the president should have explained how or what his government is doing – or will do – to curb the inexplicable acquisitive tendencies of Nigerians. Not to trivialize serious issues!
So right Mr.Benson.Nigerians are not in Oshodi or Aba second hand market.This man should be more presidential and stop embarrassing us with his untellectual approach to serious National issues.
So right Mr. Miller, and as for MR. Benson, don’t bother yourself about his type of comments. He’s either a benefactor of this corrupt/OLE government or from the same goegraphical zone where Ebele Azikwe came from. Why not ask him why the president convoy is being stoned during campaign? Is it because GEJ is OLE or that he led the most corrupt Government? As he has said, let his soldier shoot one person and he will see what will happen next.
People like you only talk with no action. If you want to know what will happen just go ahead and assault the president. That is one position people like you and their lineage will never occupy. Not even in your dreams.
Mr Olatunbosun, pls dont encourage your supporters to stone the President’s convoy anymore. I can assure u they will be shot and their blood will be on your head.
Olatunbosun,yoruba talk with two sides of your mouth from time immemorial. I am not surprised though. GEJ is most corrupt while Tinubu the grand ‘thief’ of lagos is only Robinhood but the opposite,stays in control of state power by all means, legalise ur diversification of public funds, tell the people you are their messaih while appropriating their funds for personAl usE, to ensure the servitude of the install your wife, daughter,in laws, loyal servants to political positions and use propaganda to keep the people busy fighting themselves while you smile to the bank. I see what grand leader you have. Anyway, Hitler was democratically elected and propaganda was his main war arsenal. Keep dancing away your freedom NIGERIA. AT LEAST WE GET THE LEADER we deserve as they are from amongst us.
Well said. A president is expected to be more articulate in defining corruption than this – especially in a nation like ours where this phenomenon is grounding us.No security ,no jobs,no infrastructure amidst plenty resources and yet our helmsman cannot see the connection or implication of corruption on our situation.It is so shameful for any citizen who has a mind !
Thank you my brotherClius Mila. You are a true Nigerian. But for Benson who pretends to be in Switzerland I know you are right here in Lagos. The president has spoken in a simple language every Nigerian can understand not grammatical or political jagons. To confuse people. Fault the facts he has raised if you can.
Your name is even funnier. I am sure you are one of those Niger Delta boys
You forgot to add the other line mate. Ole is ole, yes. Stealing is stealing, true. Corruption is corruption, very true but stealing is not corruption,right?
Don’t blame you though as you have told us to call a spade a Pade which means when we see black we should call it white.
You want to kill the poor writer for being so sarcastic which is why you are asking for his true identity, right?
The end of reign is nigh, otukpo is expecting you all.
@Callus, sounds like you’ve never heard the word “pseudonym” and for all you know, the young man/woman must have been writing under that name even before GEJ. Even during the military era, I then wrote with my real names and wasn’t jailed. For the president,once you aren’t a serious threat to his ambition, then you’re safe with all the criticisms. Buhari for one had certificates until he contested threateningly!Boko rams aren’t much of threat now but let them try the president. Yes, accepted there are lots of differences between both especially that while GEJ condones indiscipline,corruption,ineptitude and sycophancy(as in Tambolo and Dokubo) GMB doesn’t and is extremely against such vice. Btw; Are you sure that’s the right spelling of your first name?
U know it is English. Corruption hide a lot of things,they prefer that.
What do you believe?Hatred is a terrible thing indeed.
You are not ashame of yourself that you cannot spell trust. You are angry that they are threating but happy that book haram is killing southerns and northern Christians. It is a mistake that somebody like you is a Nigerian.
You are so biased you are ready to sell even your. Conscience. Even in the face of factors you still use insultive and libel able words against your president. Don’t mislead others with your selfish unfounded lies. And don’t cause war and hatred. All true Moslems like us who believe (in true Islam which means peace) can no longer be deceived. They have already led us into killing ourselves in their selfish interest. Buhari and people like you can no longer fool us
Lack of respect for your head of state is a gross insult and disgrace to you as a person.People who do that are the ones that can beat up their parents. When you write put down your name and that shows you are serious.
Simply unpresidential and untellectual approach to burning National issues from start to finish.Just when will this man get it right……the feelings and aspirations of Nigerians and do the needfullNigerians are not in Jankara Or nigth market.Apply the breaks and convince Nigerians that you deserve a second term in office.Your responses are riddled without statistics.
Let’s us all face the as it is @ d moment. I am not on anybody’s side but look @ this: is INEC to inform the President of the change or seek permission from him before doing that. That body is Independent … [as i would like to believe] and has no reason to seek permission to change the date as [I think] they didnt seek his permission on fixing date.
Stealing is only part of corruption, there are many other acts that has nothing to do with stealing or financial transaction & are the very heights of corruption
The funny thing is that ppl do not know Nigeria is sinking and need saviour. I’m not being religious or theological but trying to reveal Nigeria developmental status.
Dear Gej follower, what has the president said about Tompolo and Dokubo? Did u know that President saying stealing is not corruption is a blunder? Did u know that stealing is a subset of corruption? Just like saying a head is not human being! And wait, which one is pardonable among the two? We’ve heard of many stealing and misappropriation of govt fund in GEJ regime, are u guys contented with GEJ’s actions on them?
Did u guys know that GEJ is focusing only on social infrastructures like roads, transport etc? What happens to self sustainance and and self esteem? Filling of lacuna btw the rich and poor!
No academic will vote for him, no medical practitioner will vote for him, no federal university student will vote for him etc
Please if u wanna criticize me, make sure u touch all points I made, not just one or two that u are not satisfy with, if not I’ll believe u agree with me on the rest. Thanks
President Jonathan is the best thing that has happened to this nation. What I found out is that many Nigrians are either ignorants or are not Litrrate enough. They like Wayo or jimity President than s very humble truthful person. If we observe Mr president he love this nation. And what he has done so far give a very good account of him. Nigeria has been in state of dilapidation caused by past govts.This cannot be fully repaired within this period Jonathan has ruled. Pls sit down and transformations springing up. Give him another chance. Others are jimity politicians.
im not a gmb or gej supporter buh I nid a positive change..we are all shouting change forgetin it can eida be positive or negative…wat iv noticed in dz country is freedom of speech…pple af made lots of negative statements in wich dey are still roaming freely….pls sincerely my brodas and sistas of dz great country Nigeria pls can u explain to me d diff btw d statement GMB made in 2011 and wat Tompolo sed??pls I just wanna knw d difference..and pls I nid unbiased minds, non sentimental replies, objective n intellectual opinion…if u knw ur statement wont go dz way pls dnt respond…God bless Nigeria…
This President needs our support sincerely.The body language and actions thus far depicts it.
I am not a fan of GEJ. I expected much better performance than what he delivered. We sincerely need change in this country, but GMB is not the change. I believe Buhari would take us backward.
“We do not know whether the CHANGE will bring all the improvements we want in security, employment, taming corruption etc etc but there must be CHANGE to have the improvements. 2015 presidential election is between a candidate who promised CONTINUITY and a candidate who promised CHANGE. Mind you, if the change is below people’s expectations, then there is another chance for CHANGE in the next four years; hence majority Nigerians will go for CHANGE under free and fair election. (CHANGE! CHANGE!! CHANGE!! until good things start happening). That is the beauty of democracy.
I guess all these comments are our own ways of praying for those in authority.
We Nigerians only need to be sincere – at least for once. We may not like GMB, but the bitter truth is that GEJ is not the best our country can offer. And he hasn’t proved otherwise. Or why didn’t he UNEQUIVOCALLY condemn Tompolo and Dokubo? Or is Nigeria not bigger than these guys? Why would JEGA take a decision that affects the destiny of Nigerians without consulting GEJ? It’s either it’s a lie or GEJ isn’t in charge. It can’t be both! Assuming this is true, is GEJ really in charge of this country? There are no angels in Nigeria and by extension, in PDP or APC. The bitter truth is that, in this election, Nigerians have two UNSATISFACTORY alternatives in GMB and GEJ. And I would – even if reluctantly and for lack of no better option – choose GMB, and wait for 4 years to decide – based on his performance – whether to give him the GEJ pill! Shikena!
Better shine your eyes and wake up. You think that man that is so obsessed with being president at all cost will relinguish power after 4 years? I laugh. Do the right thing vote jona!
What is bad is bad, stealing, corruption whatsoever you call it,it’s never a good thing to be identify with, lets judge our-self if we still have conscience, what is bad is bad, lets lead a good life, God bless Nigeria.
If we all join our voices and pray for the peace of Nigeria, pray that God should flush out all the enemies of Nigeria it will be better than trying to divide this country with our words.
sawstonite, you don’t seem to follow the trend GEJ has maintained on those who threaten Nigeria. When before the 2011 elections people like GMB, Atiku, Yakassai & others from the North threatened to make Nigeria ungovernable GEJ did not talk but maintained the usual cool men he has been known for in govt. So if there is no hidden ethno-tribal agendum, prejudice or bias behind asking him to caution those from Ijaw nation (who may well think that the time was ripe now to give back what was released by some cabal way back before the 2011 elections) for replaying
sawstonite, you don’t seem to follow the trend GEJ has maintained on those who threaten Nigeria. When before the 2011 elections people like GMB, Atiku, Yakassai & others from the North threatened to make Nigeria ungovernable GEJ did not talk but maintained the usual cool mien he has been known for in govt. So if there is no hidden ethno-tribal agendum, prejudice or bias behind asking him to caution those from Ijaw nation (who may well think that the time was ripe now to give back what was released by some cabal way back before the 2011 elections) for merely replaying what was first played forward in 2011 (albeit in the popular “Back-To-Sender” fashion) then just take it that as GEJ said nothing to GMB et. al. with respect to salvos they fired before 2011 elections SO WILL GEJ ALSO SAY NOTHING TO TOMOPOLO ET. AL. BECAUSE THAT IS GEJ FOR YOU.
But my worry is that most Nigerians shouting themselves hoax over salvos fired by Tompolo et. al KEPT MUM WHEN GMB ET. AL FIRED THEIR SALVOS BEFORE 2011 ELECTIONS. There is to be this funny and inexplicable idiosyncrasy which seems to suggest that:-
(1) persons from a particular section of this country (IT DOES APPEAR) were the original owners of Nigeria WHO BROUGHT IN THE REST OF ALL THE OTHERS INTO NIGERIA, THEN ALLOCATED EACH ETHNO-TRIBAL GROUP THE EXACT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION THEY NOW OCCUPY & have therefore became “Crown-Prince Untouchables” WHO CAN DO WRONG (EVEN WHEN CAUGHT RED-HANDED). For instance:
(a) Someone who was sitting CBN governor (former MD First Bank) first shouted that $40 million was missing from NNPC account, then the same “whistle blower” reduced the missing sum to $20 million and the President ordered a Forensic Audit of NNPC account which is now in public domain – abi oo? But who was Federal Commissioner for Petroleum (1976-79) when 2.8 billion naira of NNPC funds went missing and has not been found up till now?
(b) Whose account at Midland Bank, London did late Senator Olusola Saraki tell Verah Ifudu was the missing 2.8 billion naira eventually traced to?
(c) Who eventually became military Head of State after the 31st. December coup that overthrew the 2nd. term of the NPN-led govt. of Usman Aliyu Shehu Shagari which aborted the 1983 Senate Probe into the missing 2.8 billion naira and ensured the probe report never ever saw the light of day but instead died quite unnaturally? Why did the many Probes War Against Indiscipline
(d) Which military regime registered Nigeria as a member of OIC?
(e) Which Head of State did his Aide-De-Camp BREACH & IINTERFERE WITH CUSTOMS PROCEDURE BY MAKING SURE 53 suitcases BELIEVED TO BE LOADED WITH FOREIGN CURRENCY WERE NOT SUBJECTED TO SEARCH BY CUSTOMS PERSONNEL BECAUSE THE SUITCASES BELONGED TO EMIR OF GWANDU & FATHER OF THE AIDE-DE-CAMP (at a time when BRINGING Foreign Currencies into Nigeria was PROHIBITED BY THE SAME GOVT. & was therefore crime against the State?
(f) In whose military regime did a particular Cartoon (in a Nigerian newspaper) which said to Chairman of a Military Tribunal “First go and remove this name, that name and the other name, then bring back your report to me and ‘Justice Must Be Done’ no matter who is involved”; the Cartoonist then asked why remove some names before Justice is done?
(a which Minister of FCT allocated lands to his children?
Wish Buhari goodluck