₦airaland Forum

As President Jonathan Heads For Otuoke, He Leaves Legacy Of Corruption, Lies, And Waste By Bayo Oluwasanmi
Almost from the first day in office Jonathan failed to grasp the difference between truth and falsehood. His proclaimed primary objective was to destroy federalism, states' rights and the unity of our country. Indeed, Jonathan has proven to be the great divider of our people than a uniter

Looking back through our history, Nigeria has been led by a series of heads of states and presidents. Some like Murtala Muhammed, Muhammadu Buhari the President-elect, and Yakubu Gowon left a legacy of service and wisdom.

Others of course, like Sanni Abacha and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida have been disasters. Majority of Nigerians would agree that President Goodluck Jonathan belongs to the latter group. History is, ultimately, the judge of one's legacy. Some who were judged great and others who were considered failures, their legacies inform our lives and guide us into the future.

Jonathan governed during one of our nation's darkest hours. He leaves behind a legacy of corruption, lies, and waste. In many ways he is the wrong person for the times – a man who seems not to understand the gravity of leadership in perilous times.

Taking office in 2011, he said: “My dear compatriots, … Together we will unite our nation and improve the living standards of all our peoples whether in the North or in the South, in the East or in the West. Our decade of development has begun … The day of transformation begins today.” … We must grow the economy, create jobs, and generate enduring happiness for our people.

Jonathan consistently pontificates that he's fighting corruption. However, corruption scandals involving many of his prominent cabinet members provides a glimpse into the reactionary politics, political division, and social and economic parasitism of his administration. Jonathan's administration is an epitome of corruption.

Since he assumed office in 2011, corruption has gripped and crippled all sectors: oil industry, pension commission, the police, the military, aviation, civil service, mint and printing company, name it. The monies involved run into millions and billions if not trillions. He promotes corruption by his actions and inaction. He surrounds himself with felons and proven thieves and thugs such as Femi Fani-Kayode, Ayodele Fayose, Doyin Okupe, Kashamu Buruji, Bode George, Iyiola Omisore, and other illustrious criminals. He pardoned his former boss the poster child of corruption, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

Our foreign reserve account, which was $62 billion in 2008, is down to $38 Billion while the excess crude oil account, which in 2009 was $20 billion is down to zero. The domestic gas project aimed at generating power has gulped $12 billion by December 2014 and nothing to show for it. Jonathan remains silent till now on N155 billion oil scandal involving government officials, Shell, Subsidiaries in Nigeria. The money was paid on the order of Jonathan to Malibu Oil and gas, a company owned by Dan Etete, a former oil minister under late General Sani Abacha.

Ten billion Naira was expended on chartered jets by the oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke. On top of the $20 Billion missing from NNPC accounts, Alison-Madueke was involved on royalties and signature bonuses and was ordered by PriceWaterhouseCoopers auditing firm to refund $1.48 billion to the public coffers. Stella Oduah former aviation minister, with taxpayers' money purchased N225 million BMW armored cars for her personal use.

Alison-Madueke on behalf of Jonathan bankrolled AIT $10 billion bribe to produce and air negative documentaries on leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) – Muhammadu Buhari, Ahmed Tinubu, and Yemi Osinbajo. Under Jonathan, the federal government's debt has risen by $18.40 billion (N3trillion) in the last four years.

Jonathan paid N7 billion bribe to Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the group to campaign against Buhari. The cost of Jonathan's campaign for the March 28 elections was a staggering one trillion Naira. In fact, by the first week of March, Jonathan had spent about N1.05 trillion.

In 2013,Trade and Investment Minister Olusegun Aganga said Nigeria lost N755 billion monthly to inaccurate measurements of exports. A man who embezzled N7.2 billion Police Pension Fund was only fined N750,000. Lucky Igbinedion's brother, Michael Igbinedion who stole N25 billion from Edo State coffers was fined only N3 million. The N2.5 trillion fuel subsidy scam still unaccounted for.

Jonathan believes the problem of corruption is over flogged. At the funeral of General Owoye Azazi, Jonathan said corruption was not the cause of Nigeria's problems. He was reacting to a statement by one of the officiating priests who had argued that corruption was the cause of all Nigeria's problems. “Most of the things we think are caused by corruption are not,” says Jonathan. “This is because Nigeria has several institutions that fight corruption.” The judiciary was not spared from corruption. Under Jonathan, Nigerian judges are to justice and the rule of law as Hitler is to peace and religious freedom.

During his administration, Jonathan embarked on reckless spending that benefits his wealthy elite of millionaires and billionaires, his cabinet members, political appointees, business associates, pastor friends and spiritual counselors and saw their ranks swelled and their fortunes fattened. The result is a social and economic polarization unprecedented in the history of our nation.

Jonathan's principal task was to police the yawning class divide, hiring the largest number of do-nothing political parasites, fund redundant agencies with overlapping functions with no objectives, no focus, no result. His inner circle of friends and appointees felt they were entitled to a life of luxury at the expense of the nation. This was part of the toxic atmosphere of corruption, poverty, hopelessness, fear, hatred, class division that hung over Nigeria under Jonathan.

But misuse of public funds is the true treason. For every Naira pilfered from the government an underprivileged child goes hungry. As a result of Jonathan's self-enrichment drive, pregnant women were denied the right to access medical care from hospitals. The sick, especially the vulnerable ones like senior citizens, children with special needs, and the infirm were denied the urgent medical needs.

Each day, Nigerians are greeted with a shocking distraction from their daily troubles with unbelievable news of corruption. For Jonathan, he has nothing to worry about. There was no reprimand for the perpetrators. Company CEOs, bank executives, ministers, political appointees, caught with their hands in the cookie jar, Jonathan did nothing to stop large caliber corruption charges, even at close range.

A writer once described Jonathan as a “serial liar.” Each opportunity he has to address the problems of the nation, he oozes out a bagful of lies. Samples: Jonathan vows to end Boko Haram menace (AFP April 19, 2012). Jonathan vows 'Major changes' for Nigeria (Dailymotion, April 20, 2011). Nigerian President vows to Return nation to Order (Vanguard Apil 21, 201). Nigerian President vows to Strengthen Democratic Rule (Voice of America, May 30, 2011). Jonathan vows to “crush terrorists” (Reuters, Dec. 31, 2011). Jonathan vows not to shield any corrupt person from investigation or prosecution by anti-graft agencies in the country (NewsDiary, May 4, 2012). Corruption: No more sacred cows, Jonathan vows (vanguard July 26, 2011). I've fulfilled my promises to Nigerians – Jonathan (Premium Times November 11, 2014).

While majority of Nigerians are restless about where their next meal would come from, when civil servants are not paid for months, when six million jobs promised youths never materialized, when students protested against hiked fees, when civil and human rights organizations denounced the travesty of justice in the land, Jonathan and his crew clung to the mentality of broiler chickens which eat without stopping.

As we remember the waste and the ruins of the Jonathan years, we must remember that the function of memory is not only to register past events, but to stimulate human conscience. The future of our great nation can be different and it should be different. We must move from memory to action.

Farewell to the native son of Otuoke!

http://saharareporters.com/2015/05/18/president-jonathan-heads-otuoke-he-leaves-legacy-corruption-lies-and-waste-bayo

I dislike(d) Jonathan for his weakness and the corruption around him. I also dislike Sahara Reporters for their plenty lies always.

Meaning?i dislike this article.

Sahara


Not even one teeny weeny bitsy good thing he did...



It would be nice to see the veracity with which they attack the incoming government.

HungerBAD:
I dislike(d) Jonathan for his weakness and the corruption around him. I also dislike Sahara Reporters for their plenty lies always.

Meaning?i dislike this article.

It is always convenient to just say SaharaReporters is lying, but if I ask you to point out 1 or 2 of their stories which are lies, I'm sure you would run away.

No doubt, some of their stories turn out not to be true but for every single untrue report from SR, they would have reported 9 factual reports which you can't help but wonder how they got the stories. Now that's what makes them stand out from the others and that's also why you and many others who hate them will still continue visiting their website (albeit with only one eye open to see what you don't want to see).

The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets people to do the greatest things.

Ronald Reagan ...

Rubbish write-up!

While majority of Nigerians are restless about where their next meal would come from,

Nigeria operates 3 tiers of government. While Jonathan was busy diversifying the economy, states governors were waiting for Abuja to "share" allocations and made demands for the sharing of ECA without developmental projects on ground or to create a viable economic environment in their respective states. Nor create employment.

when civil servants are not paid for months

It is on record that the FG led by Jonathan has not at any time owed workers Salaries unlike what we witnessed under previous government. In fact, APC Govs are the ones owing workers. Fayemi owed 3months Salary before leaving office. Aregbesola is owing 8months Salary of Osun Workers. Rochas is owing a whopping 13months Salary. Amaechi is owing rivers state pensioners 4 months arrears. Of course, some useless PDP Govs like Suswam is owing workers. Is the writer blaming Jonathan for the failue of State Governors?

when six million jobs promised youths never materialized

It is unfortunate that the Jonathan promised six million jobs has not been realised, of course the resources spent on fighting BH added some distraction in governance. However, it is pertinent to note that through Youwin and allied schemes, Jonathan empowered and created direct and indirect jobs for hundreds of thousand Young people. Not just jobs but productive ones that are capable of creating more jobs in the nearest future.

when students protested against hiked fees, when civil and human rights organizations denounced the travesty of justice in the land, Jonathan and his crew clung to the mentality of broiler chickens which eat without stopping.

it is on record that Jonathan administration though increased tuition of students never did what any APC government did specifically Lagos state. Lagos did not only increase Lasu tuition from 20,000 to 250,000-350000, it also arrested protesting students and charged them for public disturbance while exercising their right to protest.

The writer and SaharaReporters should quit this silly propaganda against the person of Goodluck Ebelemi Azikiwe Jonathan. Nigerians cannot be blinded by what transpired through silly propaganda by the APC powere Sahara Reporters.. Jonathan remain the BEST despite his shortcomings!

Well am not really suprised with the way gej governed nigeria......(1) he spent the money base on the mentality of "afterall it is our(niger delta) money (2) his road to the political zenith was quite a too easy one ....

HungerBAD:
I dislike(d) Jonathan for his weakness and the corruption around him. I also dislike Sahara Reporters for their plenty lies always.

Meaning?i dislike this article.

Can you point out the lies in this article. SaharaReporters will continue to lead while others follow.

barcanista:
Rubbish write-up!

Nigeria operates 3 tiers of government. While Jonathan was busy diversifying the economy, states governors were waiting for Abuja to "share" allocations and made demands for the sharing of ECA without developmental projects on ground or to create a viable economic environment in their respective states. Nor create employment.


It is on record that the FG led by Jonathan has not at any time owed workers Salaries unlike what we witnessed under previous government. In fact, APC Govs are the ones owing workers. Fayemi owed 3months Salary before leaving office. Aregbesola is owing 8months Salary of Osun Workers. Rochas is owing a whopping 13months Salary. Amaechi is owing rivers state pensioners 4 months arrears. Of course, some useless PDP Govs like Suswam is owing workers. Is the writer blaming Jonathan for the failue of State Governors?


It is unfortunate that the Jonathan promised six million jobs has not been realised, of course the resources spent on fighting BH added some distraction in governance. However, it is pertinent to note that through Youwin and allied schemes, Jonathan empowered and created direct and indirect jobs for hundreds of thousand Young people. Not just jobs but productive ones that are capable of creating more jobs in the nearest future.

it is on record that Jonathan administration though increased tuition of students never did what any APC government did specifically Lagos state. Lagos did not only increase Lasu tuition from 20,000 to 250,000-350000, it also arrested protesting students and charged them for public disturbance while exercising their right to protest.

The writer and SaharaReporters should quit this silly propaganda against the person of Goodluck Ebelemi Azikiwe Jonathan. Nigerians cannot be blinded by what transpired through silly propaganda by the APC powere Sahara Reporters.. Jonathan remain the BEST despite his shortcomings!

Barcanista; since you know better than everybody on NL & in Nigeria; defend these quotes from your drunken master, otherwise, in the words of Hon. Patrick Obiahagbon, you're sardonically & lugubriously suffering from a malodorous megalomania, triggered by your usual mendacious braggadoccio.

1. “CNN has said our Economy is growing. The best Economists are at the World Bank. Now you have all these Nigerian Economists talking nonsense. Do they know better than CNN or World Bank?”

2. “Nigeria is not poor. Come and see the amount of private jets Nigerians parked at Kenya Airport when we went to Nairobi for Conference. Kenyans were just looking at us with envy. How can you say Nigerians are poor?"

3. “Nigerians need jobs. Vote for me and I will create Unemployment.”

4′. “We are giving special Scholarships to our First Class Graduates…….in ten years time, they are going to take us to the Moon.”

5. “How can you just say $20 billion is missing. If that kind of money is missing, the Americans will know. They know everything.”

6. “If you go to Lagos and shout “ole ole” they will stone you well well. But if you shout “corruption”, people will just be looking at you.”

7.”Why should i declare my assets? I don’t give a damn!”

8.”People are just raising false alarm. How can 200 children go missing just like that? It is our enemies trying to cause confusion. But we are investigating the matter”

9. “We are going to rebuild the Chibook school. And we are going to build high fences round the school to protect them next time . Yes Yes.”

10. “People keep saying, why don’t we go to Chibook, why don’t we go to Chibook. Aaah, we can’t go to Chibook Just like that. The Boko Haram people will fire at us.”

11. “Boko Haram are our siblings. You can’t set the Army to go and wipe out your family”

12. “This Abuja bombing is not by MEND. We know it is by Boko Haram. They are everywhere. Boko Haram is even in my Government.”

13. “Mend tried to kill me. They came to bomb me in Abuja. That is why we jailed Henry Okah in South Africa”

14. “I did not plan the Election postponement. Even my Service Chiefs did not consult me.”

15. “We are going to buy Guns and give good Pensions to our Brave Soldiers, so that when they are killed, their families will not suffer”