…Congratulates Tinubu on mandate affirmation
…Urges Atiku, Obi, others to stop the fight
…We’ve zoomed into season of governance without distraction – Malagi
Former Nigerian President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Friday, said Nigeria’s recent transition of power qualifies the country to continue to lead in Africa’s democratic leadership.
He said with elections over, past and present leaders and the electorate must work together for a better future, making the country to enjoy its leadership in the economic and political space in Africa.
The former president’s positive comment about the country’s leadership capacity comes as the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi said the outcome of the litigations over the February 25, 2023 presidential elections has provided an avenue for the current administration to zoom into governance without distraction.
The minister, who made the remark at a press conference in Abuja, Friday, thanked the Judiciary for rising up to the occasion in fulfillment of their constitutional mandate as the final arbiter of electoral proceedings in the country.
Jonathan speaks
“Elections are over, and so we must move forward. Yes, we have challenges economically now, but we still have what it takes to lead Africa,” Jonathan told State House Correspondents after he emerged from a closed-door talks with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, following the judgement delivered by a seven-man team of Supreme Court Justice, Thursday in Abuja.
Referring to his active role in peace and diplomacy in West Africa and across the continent, the former President said he has been actively involved in regional dialogues, with plans to visit Kenya and Liberia in the coming days.
“I have been involved in a number of things in West Africa and Africa.
“In fact, tomorrow I will be in Kenya, and on November 14, I will be in Liberia.
“So, I am like a roving Ambassador seeing how we can bring peace to the sub-region and the continent,” said Jonathan.
While the meeting with President Tinubu was initially scheduled for last week, the former President said it coincided with the recent Supreme Court verdict, which affirmed the victory of President Bola Tinubu at the February polls.
Consequently, he seized the opportunity to congratulate President Tinubu on the outcome.
During the interaction, the former President mentioned that the focus of their discussion was the progress of the nation.
He cited the recent democracy dialogue where Prof Lumumba highlighted Nigeria’s potential leadership role in Africa.
Jonathan also underscored the importance of regular consultations with the current President, particularly when it comes to foreign programmes.
“They are not personal issues,” he clarified, “traditionally, former Presidents, when going outside the country for continental or regional programmes, brief the President upon their return. That is the tradition.”
The former President’s visits to the State House, as he explained, are usually aimed at advancing Nigeria’s interests as well as those of the Economic Community of West African States and the entire African continent.
…Urges leaders to halt fighting
Commenting on the recent Supreme Court verdict, Jonathan emphasized the need for unity among Nigeria’s political leaders, especially past presidents, saying, “We need to bring all our political leaders together.”
“If top leaders continue fighting, they might not suffer that much, but the downtrodden will,” he cautioned, advocating an end to political tension for the sake of national progress.
Jonathan arrived at the Villa around noon and was received by the President into the closed-door meeting.
Friday’s visit is in continuance of his work as Special Envoy of the Economic Community of West African States, where he is leading mediation talks even as Mali remains under military rule following the August 2020 coup that ousted President Ibrahim Keita.
In September 2023, the Malian military government announced that it would delay a presidential election scheduled for February 2024, which was aimed at returning civilian rule.
Two rounds of voting, initially set for February 4 and 18, “will be slightly postponed for technical reasons,” said government spokesman Abdoulaye Maiga.
Maiga explained the reasons to include issues related to the adoption of a new constitution and a review of the electoral lists.
He also mentioned a dispute with the French company Idemia, which the government said is involved in the census process.
“The new dates for the presidential election will be communicated later,” Maiga affirmed.
In January 2022, the Economic Community of West African State imposed sanctions on Mali when the Asimi Goita-led junta planned to stay in power for up to five years.
Bowing to pressure from the regional bloc, the junta promised to hold the election in February.
Consequently, the ECOWAS lifted a set of trade and financial sanctions on Mali in July 2022
Malagi’s counsel
“Now that the legal contest regarding the outcome of the Presidential election is now behind us, it is time for all of us to come together and move forward, into a season of governing that is without distraction,” he said.
Malagi who stated this at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, thanked the Judiciary for rising up to the occasion in fulfillment of their constitutional mandate as the final arbiters of electoral proceedings in the country.
The minister tasked Nigerians to irrespective of their differences shun divisive comment and come together in the interest of the nation, adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made it clear that he will be a President for all Nigerians: regardless of regional, ethnic, partisan, or religious affiliations
“We want a country that works for all of us, no matter what our cultural, religious or political differences might be. To guarantee this kind of country that works on all levels, for all its people, let us strive to put our differences aside, to believe the best about our country, and to support our elected leaders.
“Let our criticisms be constructive, let our actions be honest and patriotic.
On our part we will continue to strive to rebuild the trust of citizens in the ways and workings of Government, and boost the credibility of public information and communication,” he said.
Malagi, while acknowledging the challenging economic times, noted that the Tinubu administration is taking all the necessary steps to alleviate pains, and cushion the impact of the foundational reforms that the federal government is embarking on.
He outlined some short and medium-term efforts the federal government has taken so far to make life better for all Nigerians.
He said some of them include: “A provisional wage increment of N35,000 monthly for six months, to enhance federal minimum wage, without causing undue inflation.
“Establishment of an Infrastructure Support Fund for States to invest in critical areas that will create an enabling environment for businesses.
“Launch of a 100 Billion Naira CNG bus rollout programme, to deliver CNG-powered buses, and establishment of a Presidential Committee to drive implementation.”
Speaking further, he said the President has signed no fewer than five Executive Orders, aimed at improving Nigeria’s business and fiscal environment, and increasing foreign exchange supply.
“We are finalizing the process for payment of a Cash Transfer of N25,000 monthly to 15 million of the poorest and most vulnerable households in Nigeria, for three months.
“A presidential directive for the release of 200,000 Metric Tonnes of grains from strategic reserves to households across the 36 states and FCT to moderate prices, and 225,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer, seedlings and other inputs to farmers.
“An access-to-credit programme for startups and MSMEs, that will be launched soon: providing N50 billion in Conditional Grants to 1 million nano-businesses across Nigeria between now and March 2024; and a new single-digit interest-rate Fund to provide N75 billion to support manufacturing enterprises; among others,” he said