Jonathan alleges plot to pull him down, as FEC mandates six ministers to visit Yar’Adua in Saudi Arabia
Abuja Thu. Feb. 18, 2010 African Examiner -Acting President Goodluck Jonathan has alleged
that some disgruntled elements who are unhappy with his emergence are launching media
campaign against him.
The spokesman for the Acting President Ima Niboro said in a statement in Abuja that ''the
first installment of the planned and well coordinated media onslaught against the Acting
President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, was published in a national newspaper”
The Acting President however, warned against campaign of calumny against him adding
that such attacks will not deter him from performing his duties.
The statement read in full
N300 Billion and other absurd tales!
“Today, the first installment of the planned and well coordinated media onslaught against
the Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, was published in a national
newspaper” [not the Nigerian Tribune], “alleging that he (the Acting President) approved
the expenditure of a whopping N300 billion, for both pro-Yar'Adua rallies and those that
were in his interest.” The report also claimed that members of the National Assembly were
bribed to do their patriotic duty to save the nation from drift.
“It can be recalled that a few days ago, there was an allegation of a purported release of
two billion US dollars from the Excess Crude Account to governors to facilitate their
endorsement of Jonathan as Acting President.
“While we commend the Chairman of the Governor's Forum, Dr. Bukola Saraki, for dealing
satisfactorily with that allegation in a rejoinder, it is interesting to note that two billion dollars
translate to roughly N300 billion. There is, therefore, no question that both allegations
emanate from the same source.
“We know those behind these publications. Nigerians have come to know them as
careerists in power. But we see them as misguided elements determined to exceed their
call of duty and play God over the affairs of the Nation.
“They are wicked and ungodly and their time is up! Never, again, must we allow our nation
to be strangulated by a privileged few who will rather fiddle with our common wealth while
the nation burns.
“We are aware that they have set aside a huge war chest in billions of naira to bring the
Jonathan Acting Presidency to disrepute by any means possible. It is, therefore, hardly
surprising that as cunny as these allegations obviously sound, they still get mention in our
media space. We are fully on the tracks of this so-called group; this unfortunate band of
liars. In the fullness of time, they shall be brought to book.
“We find no need to dignify the N300 billion allegation with a response. What is more, those
selling this lie are careful to state that the money was procured from a certain
businessman, who is to be settled in a matter of weeks by “a huge oil contract.”
“Three hundred billion naira sourced from one man at a go? We demand to know who this
businessman is. Anyone that keeps liquid cash of N2 billion dollars to bribe people belongs
only in jail! Huge oil contract? Maybe Nigerians need to ask those who have been involved
in handing out such contracts how such quid pro quo deals are done.
“Let me use this medium to reiterate that we shall not be deterred by campaigns of calumny
or any other method whatsoever in our collective efforts to reform this nation, and change
our ways of doing things once and for all. The acting president is determined, and he is
counting on the total support of all Nigerians”.
Meanwhile, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has raised a six man panel to visit the
ailing President Yar'Adua in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Members of the delegation are; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Alhaji
Yayale Ahmed, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Prince Adetokunbo Kayode
Ministers of Health Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, Agriculture and Water Resources Dr.
Abba Sayyadi Ruma and Foreign Affairs Chief Ojo Maduekwe.
The team is also mandated to convey a formal appreciation of the country to the King of
Saudi Arabia for taking care of the sick President who has been away from the country
since Nov. 23, 2009