…Says ASUU’s arm twisting tactics unfair
From JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, Abuja
President Goodluck Jonathan has said that he did not
sign an agreement with any group or persons not to
contest the 2015 Presidential election for a second
term in office. Also, he has described as unfair, the
continuous strike by the Academic Staff Union of
Universities (ASUU), despite efforts by his government
to address the infrastructural decay in institutions of
higher learning.
The President also disclosed that he met with service
chiefs yesterday with an order to end the
embarrassing attacks by Boko Haram, adding that the
state of emergency declared had been successful but
the insurgents now look for soft spots like schools to
frustrate and embarrass government.
Jonathan, during a Presidential media chat anchored
by Senami Ohiemohia of AIT, with Shehu Dauda of
Capital Post, Nosa Igiebor of Tell Magazine, Gloria
Ume-Ezeoke of Channels Television and Shola
Oshunkeye of The Sun Newspapers, challenged those
who insist that he signed such agreement to publish it
for Nigerians to see.
He said that his remarks at an interaction in Addis
Ababa with some Nigerians that, if the seven-year
single tenure passed, he would not run, were
misconstrued.
“I didn’t sign any agreement not to contest. If I did,
they would have shown you. What I said was, if
Nigeria accepts the single tenure agreement, I will not
run because it will be assumed I’m greedy, that having
served four years as a president and two years
completion of Yar’Adua’s term following his demise,
adding additional seven years will amount to 12 years
on the seat.”
President Jonathan insisted that the time was not
right for him to declare his intentions on whether or
not to contest the 2015 election, saying doing so will
be against the Electoral Act and a criminal offence.
He said: “It is even against the Electoral Law for me to
declare that I would contest when the electoral body
has not blown the whistle,” adding however that his
silence should not be a stumbling block to other
people interested in contesting because they must
prepare to convince Nigerians that they are the better
alternatives.
On the allegations that his aides were already erecting
billboards announcing his intention, President
Jonathan expressed surprise at the development and
said it would be investigated and corrected since he
had ordered after the 2011 elections that all billboards
bearing his campaign should be pulled down.
On ASUU’s strike, Jonathan said the union’s
continuous demand for earned allowance was not
part of the Federal Government’s responsibility as
they are supposed to be paid from internally
generated revenue, adding that touting infrastructural
decay despite efforts meant to address it was unfair.
He appealed to the lecturers to return to class.
He said the government had fulfilled the major part of
the 2009 agreements and that the others would be
fulfilled as time goes on.
President Jonathan said he personally ordered the
inventory of all the universities in the country with
the aim of exposing the problem and gradually
addressing them.
“That is why we released N100 billion to uplift the
infrastructures of the universities across the country.
We cannot solve all the problems overnight.”
Presidential Jonathan expressed surprise that in spite
of his goodwill to the universities, ASUU had decided
to remain adamant, hinting that it was high time
labour laws were looked into to check some of the
excesses of striking workers.
He said: “ASUU strike is very unfortunate. Throughout
this period, government decided to take inventory in
schools. Our technical team set up, visited all the
schools and presented video and pictures to the
Federal Executive Council and I directed the Vice
President to ensure that the same report was
presented to the National Economic Council meeting,
which has governors as members.
“After seeing those documentations, we said this
must change. For us to take that inventory, it means
we are committed to improve the university
infrastructure. So, for ASUU to go on strike on this, is
unfair. They didn’t prompt us to take this inventory,
we did it voluntarily.
“No government wants to expose itself, so, for me to
do this it shows we are committed. I didn’t expect the
strike to last this long, that it has lasted this long is
unfortunate.”
On the immediate steps to end the strike, President
Jonathan said: “I call on ASUU, for the sake of our
children, to return to class. Their earned allowances is
supposed to be paid from internally generated
revenue. We are only assisting them, it is not
mandatory.
“Even if we have all the money in the world, we can’t
solve all the problems now and we have released N100
billion outside the line budget, they should return to
class.”
The President described the seat of power as hot
because “whatever happens in the country, people
look up to the President to solve it,” adding that
despite the numerous challenges, Nigeria was better
off under his administration.
He listed the establishment of more federal
universities, stemming corruption in the agriculture
and petroleum sectors as well as the successful sale of
power generating and distribution companies to the
private sector as part of his achievements, saying the
results would soon be felt.
President Jonathan denied that the Nigerian economy
was bankrupt, describing those behind such assertions
as unpatriotic.
Source: http://www.sunnewsonline.com/new/cover/i-didnt-sign-agreement-not-to-run-in-2015-jonathan/

President Goodluck Jonathan is my Guy

Pure Naija man. He didn't sign agreement with anybody not to run.

no Nigerian politician can be like Nelson Mandela!!

Babaginda Aliyu should provide the pact he claims GEJ signed with northern governor or else he should ready to face the wrath of the law.

If anybody think Talba minna,the chief servant of niger state is stupid,the person should think twice cos at appropriate time the signed document will be in the public domain for everyone to see and know who is a liar

Segadem: Babaginda Aliyu should provide the pact he claims GEJ signed with northern governor or else he should ready to face the wrath of the law.

Ok,and if he provide the pact,what then will happen to jonah?