Acting President: [size=14pt]24 governors meet with Jonathan[/size]

Governors from 24 States on Friday met with Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to convey the decision of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) endorsing him as Acting President. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Chairman of the Forum and the governor of Kwara state, Bukola Saraki, led the delegation to the meeting, which was held at the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The unscheduled meeting, which was held behind closed-doors, lasted for more than 30 minutes and the forums chairman, Mr. Saraki, spoke with the State House Correspondents after the meeting, saying that the forum decided that the vice president should become acting president in order to move the nation forward.

``We associate ourselves with the court rulings that have been given recently on the constitutional issue regarding the President and the Vice President.

``We also resolve that the Vice President has been acting admirably going by some of the actions that have so far been taken.

``Also, we have now agreed to meet with the leadership of the National Assembly to urge them to pass a resolution, recognising the Vice President as the acting president in the interest of moving the nation forward,'' he said.

Asked whether the National Assembly could pass such a resolution without the President transmitting a letter as required by Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, Mr. Saraki said that the decision was taken in the interest of the country.

Speaking in the same vein, the Cross Rivers state governor, Liyel Imoke, said that the forum took the position to back Jonathan as acting president so that there would be no vacuum in governance.

``We believe that at this point in time it is necessary that appropriate action be taken and solution be found to what appears to be a problem of existence of a vacuum.

``I don't share the view that a vacuum exist because the Vice President, clearly, had the same number of votes as the President.

``Those who insist on the existence of a vacuum do not understand why the Constitution insists that the President and Vice President should run on the same ticket.

``Section 145 has been interpreted by the court; it starts with the words, `whenever the President transmits a letter.

``In the event that the transmission does not occur, certain action can be taken to guarantee the stability of the nation and that is what we have just done,'' Mr. Imoke said.

Gov. Gabriel Suswan of Benue also agreed that the National Assembly could constitutionally passed a resolution making the Vice President acting president without the President transmitting a letter.

``If, for instance, you find a situation where an accident happens and the President is in a coma, what happens? Do we just fold our arms and wait?

``The 1999 Constitution gives the National Assembly the constitutional responsibility to make laws for the good governance of this country.

``If the President is not in a position to transmit a letter and the National Assembly passes a resolution to this effect, it is assumed that the proper thing has been done,'' he said.

Supportive north

Meanwhile, Governors Godswill Akpabio and Namadi Sambo of Akwa-Ibom and Kaduna, respectively, have denied rumours making the round that the northern governors were not in support of the position taken by the NGF on the matter.

They maintained that the decision was unanimously taken irrespective of geo-political zones or party affiliation.

Other Governors at the meeting were Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Sullivan Chime of Enugu, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, Segun Oni of Ekiti, Timpreye Sylva of Bayelsa and Theodore Orji of Abia.

Governors Martins Elechi of Ebonyi, Aliyu Akwe-Doma of Nasarawa, Ali Modu Sheriff of Borno, Adams Oshiomole of Edo, Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto and Usman Dakkigyari of Kebbi, also attended the meeting.

Also present were Danjuma Goje of Gombe, Ibrahim Shema of Katsina, Isa Yuguda of Bauchi, while Kogi, Osun and Jigawa States were represented by their deputy governors.

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday endorsed the resolution of the 36 states Governors Forum which seeks strict compliance with provisions of the constitution.

The National Vice Chairman North-West Zone, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Danladi Sankara, said the position of the governors would allow for Mr Jonathan to be declared Acting President, pending the return of President Yar'Adua from medical vacation.

Mr Sankara who spoke with newsmen in Kano on Friday said the position taken by the governors was a proactive measure to resolve the constitutional crisis raised by the president's absence from the country.

"We firmly endorse the position of the 36 state governors and that of the 19 Northern Governors, which resolved on the need for adherence to the provisions of the constitution to declare Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as Acting President pending the full recovery of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua," he said.

"The position taken by the governors was a validation of the earlier position of our eminent leaders such as former President Shehu Shagari, General Yakubu Gowon and other prominent Nigerians who called for restraint and strict adherence to the provisions of the Constitution. It is a very simple issue that was over-politicized".

He said the Vice President has proved a responsible and trustworthy leader, having with stand all storm to ensure continuity in governance even without Yar'Adua.

"The Vice President has been a trustworthy and responsible leader who refused to be distracted by focusing on his duties that ensured continuity. The PDP has given him full backing," he said.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5523042-146/acting_president_24_governors_meet_with.csp

It might come as early as Tuesday.

Govs Want Jonathan Sworn In As Acting President On Tuesday
From Madu Onuorah, Abuja

GOVERNORS of the 36 states of the federation, under the Governors' Forum, were at the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday for a solidarity visit to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan over the ongoing constitutional crisis.

The governors also announced plans to visit the National Assembly next week to press home their resolve that the lawmakers pass a resolution that would enable the Vice President assume the power of an Acting President, pending the return of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.

A source at the Villa told The Guardian that the governors discussed with Jonathan the possibility of his being sworn in late on Tuesday, with the understanding that they would have persuaded the National Assembly to pass the resolution earlier that day.

Chairman of the Forum, Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State and his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Godswill Akpabio, said the position being canvassed by the governors was a unanimous one.

According to Saraki: "We associate ourselves with the court ruling that has been given, concerning the President and the Vice President, and that we also agreed to meet with the leadership of the National Assembly to urge them to pass a resolution recognising the Vice President as the Acting President of the nation.

"Under the circumstances, we believe that the Vice President has been acting in that way. And in order to further give more force on that, the National Assembly as well should pass an order."

Akpabio added: "We unanimously resolved that all arms of government should support the Vice President to discharge his duties as Acting President of the country. It is not true that Northern governors said Jonathan should not act as President. The Northern governors are part of the Governors' Forum, and there was no dissenting voice."

Asked the response of Vice President to their position, Akpabio explained: "He was happy with the decision of the governors that yes, while he is praying for the President to recover, there is need for a more assertive action and for us to bring all these publications in Nigeria to an end.

"This is because we must re-emphasise that the constitution made it clear that there is no vacuum and in order to give teeth to the fact, that there must not be vacuum."

Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, on his part, stressed the need not to allow any vacuum in the Presidency, especially when President Yar'Adua and Vice President Jonathan share a joint mandate from the electorate.

He said: "As the Governors Forum, we have taken a position, and we all stand by that position. We believe that at this point in time, it is necessary that appropriate actions be taken and solutions be found to what appears to be a problem of the existence of a vacuum.

"I don't share the view of the existence of a vacuum, because the Vice President clearly has the same number of votes as the President. They enjoy a joint mandate."

He also pointed out that the governors intend to go along with court pronouncements on the position and abilities of Jonathan in the absence of Yar'Adua.

"Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution is subject to interpretation and it has recently been interpreted in the court and what we cannot do is to question the judgment until such a time another judgment is obtained. That remains the position, and until that time, the Vice President can act. I think that is very clear.

"It is also very clear now that Section 145 starts with whenever, it does not start with any other word, other than the word whenever. In the event that the transmission does not occur, certain actions can be taken to guarantee the stability of the nation," he stated.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/news/article02/indexn2_html?pdate=060210&ptitle=Govs%20Want%20Jonathan%20Sworn%20In%20As%20Acting%20President%20On%20Tuesday

Vice President Jonathan, who was expecting only Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State who had earlier called that he would be coming to see him, was shocked to report to his office yesterday morning with over 20 governors waiting for him.

Overwhelmed by the large crowd he saw in his office, Jonathan jokingly asked, “Is this a coup or what? I hope it is not led by the Adamawa Governor (Murtala Nyako)?” befor directing that the meeting be moved from his office upstairs to the ground floor, where there is a larger conference room.

I have gained a respect for Goodluck - he played the whole ordeal out calmly and got what everyone wanted.

^
Thanks for that. I was just gonna post that piccy below the main article.

WHERE IS HIS RESOURCE CONTROL CAP

ABI THIS ONE NA 'DRESS CODE DIPLOMACY'?

Hopefully things will get back to normal soon.
And economy can move on

Pharoh:

This is a very welcomed development, hoping everything will be resolved soonest so we can move forward and address pressing issues affecting us right now.

My wish as well.
75 days of nothing happening is dangerous for a nation like Nigeria.

Me, I tink say dis one na anoda PDP trick to keep us quiet for anoda week. Last two weeks, it was "Yar Adua will return anytime soon".

Lets beware.

WHERE IS HIS RESOURCE CONTROL CAP

ABI THIS ONE NA 'DRESS CODE DIPLOMACY'?

Wetin concern you with his cap, eh? Okay, he is trying to mend fences.

@Post
Can the governors change anything?The National Assembly who are supposed to cause the change have collected Ghana-Must-Go and turn their backs on Nigerians. The Constitution and Conscience on trial. We are watching.

^
They claim to have directly influenced the FEC. So, NASS might not feature in the equation.
Next roll of the dice is Tuesday, when the FEC next meets.

GOVERNORS of the 36 states of the federation, under the Governor's Forum, were at the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday for a solidarity visit to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan over the ongoing constitutional crisis.

The governors also announced plans to visit the National Assembly next week to press home their resolve that the lawmakers pass a resolution that would enable the Vice President assume the power of an Acting President, pending the return of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.

Nigerian politicians sef no dey shame anymore. They had been silent all this while. Where have they been for the past 75days or more? Becoz it seems like things are turning round into the hands of Goodluck, courtesy of individuals who spoke out earlier, they are now coming to show their solidarity. Shameless people.

Except the NASS 1st amend the constitution (which can be achieved within 2 weeks with d support of the state governors), they can not just declare VP as acting president.

FEC meet on Weds, i dont see them passing resolution that will innitiate NASS investigation because the end result will be the removal of Yaradua.

The quickest & best option is for Yarasick to transmit leave letter to NASS or resign.

Time will tell if Jonathan is playing a strategy or just acting dumb. One month as acting president will tell.