A former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, was also named as the senatorial candidate for the Ogun East senatorial district.

This followed acceptance of the candidates’ list of the PDP faction backed by the Senator representing Ogun East, Kashamu, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The INEC had, in a letter addressed to the National Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus, notified the party of the acceptance of the list submitted by Bayo Dayo’s faction following the Federal High Court judgments.

It directed the umpire to accept the candidates, as against that of Sikirullahi Ogundele-led faction which is recognised by the PDP national leadership.

A statement signed by Kashamu on Wednesday, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Abeokuta by his media aide, Austin Oniyokor, asked the public to disregard a statement credited to the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, that INEC contravened the rule that only the chairman could submit candidates’ list to INEC.

The statement partly reads: “The candidates’ list of the Kashamu backed Bayo Dayo exco of Ogun PDP has been received and fully acknowledged by INEC for the 2019 elections.

“Prince Leke Shittu and Dr. Reuben Abati were duly acknowledged as the Ogun PDP Governorship and Deputy Governorship candidates respectively (acknowledgement receipts attached).

“Former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, is for the Senate, Ogun East; and all other candidates for the Senatorial, Federal House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly were also accepted and duly acknowledged.

“Any rumour being peddled around by our National Chairman and National Publicity Secretary through a purported press release should be disregarded, as the duo are deliberately acting unlawfully and beyond their powers to which they’ve refused wise counsel to toe the path of rule of law.”

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The president who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, also called on all those who, through their actions and utterances, had been promoting divisiveness, sectionalism and ethnic hatred in the country following the outcome of the March 28 elections, to cease and desist from such actions.

According to him, such acts detract from the true spirit and culture of democracy envisioned by patriotic men and women of goodwill in Nigeria.

“The Federal Government will not condone any attempt to instigate a crisis in any part of the country in furtherance of personal political ambitions.

“President Jonathan assures all Nigerians that his administration remains fully committed to national progress and the entrenchment of the best values of democracy for the good of all Nigerians.

“He urges Nigerians to go out en-masse once again on April 11 to vote for candidates of their choice in the Governorship and State Assembly elections with the confidence that his administration will do all within its powers to ensure that they do so in peace, without threats, intimidation or violence from any quarters.”

Jonathan urged Nigerians to remain peaceful, united and law-abiding as they prepare for Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections.

He decried the attempt by some politicians, groups and individuals to intimidate others, heat up the polity and cause public disorder and disaffection in the aftermath of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

“President Jonathan is especially concerned about the negative triumphalism that has been put on display by certain elements since March 31.

“It flies in the face of his personal commitment to post-election peace, unity and national stability.

“President Jonathan also condemns the undue harassment of public officials serving under his administration and urges all affected persons to continue to perform their lawful duties without fear.

“The president cautions that this should be a time for the healing of political wounds in the overriding interest of national unity, stability and progress, not a time for ethnic jingoism and the settling of scores.”

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Abati, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, had, in a 10-part series of tweets on Sunday, used photographs of the 10-storey Northwestern University and students of the Kano State Institute of Informatics to illustrate key projects he claimed the President Jonathan administration executed in the six North-West states of Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara.

The 10-storey building in Abati’s illustration was a long-standing project of the Kano State government, which was only completed and made a campus by the state’s current governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The Kano Informatics Institute was also established in 2011, by the current governor.

Using the hashtags #DidYouKnow? #TransformationintheNorthWest #ForwardNigeria#UpJonathan #UpNigeria, Abati deployed images and graphics to illustrate what he called the president’s transformation of the North-West zone.

Abati’s tweets angered the Kano state government, which accused him of lying, deception and plagiarism and demanded the deletion of the tweet and a public apology.

The deceptive tweets also drew heavy public criticism against Abati and the presidency.

The presidential spokesperson has since deleted the tweet and replaced it with an infographic where the president’s achievements were illustrated with words scribbled in colourful speech bubbles.

More than 24 hours after the tweet was deleted, the Kano government said Abati is yet to apologise to it. “We are giving him seven days to tender a public apology or we will sue him,” Jaafar Jaafar, the Special Assistant on Media to Governor Kwankwaso said.

He said the state government was approaching its lawyers to kickstart plagiarism and advance fee fraud, aka 419, charges if Abati failed to apologise.

He argued that in addition to using the images without permission, the presidential spokesperson intended to deceive the public with those images and make pecuniary gains, adding that his action was planned to “hoodwink” Nigerians into believing President Jonathan’s administration was effective in the region.

Jaafar argued that such assumptions could have misled voters to re-elect the president in the forthcoming election and in turn make Abati richer.

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He also asked school owners across the country to consider extending the current holiday until such a time the Federal Government would have carried out a reassessment of the level of the threat posed by the virus.

While asking religious organisations to discourage gatherings that may increase the spread of the virus, he also asked that movement of corpses from one community to the other or from overseas into Nigeria be stopped forthwith.

These were some of the decisions reached at an emergency meeting of stakeholders called by the President on the virus.

A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said that the President also urged Nigerians to desist from spreading false information about the virus which can lead to mass hysteria, panic and misdirection.

He directed the Ministry of Health to work in collaboration with state Ministries of Health, the National Centre for Disease Control, the National Emergency Management Agency and other relevant agencies to ensure that all possible steps are taken to effectively contain the threat of the Ebola virus in line with international protocols and best practices.

He said the approved sum for the Special Intervention Plan was to further strengthen ongoing steps to contain the virus such as the establishment of additional isolation centres, case management, contact tracing, deployment of additional personnel, screening at borders, and the procurement of required items and facilities.

He commended the vigilance of aviation and health authorities in Lagos who identified and isolated the index case in Nigeria, the late Patrick Sawyer, an American-Liberian who flew into the country.

He also applauded the good work of health authorities at both State and Federal levels who have traced persons who had contact with him, isolated other identified cases and embarked on massive public enlightenment.

The statement read in part, “President Jonathan calls for even greater vigilance and co-operation at all levels to stop the Ebola virus from spreading further.

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Haruna had on Thursday during a programme to mark the nation’s Democracy Day titled ‘A day with young leaders of Nigeria,’ announced that the President had offered amnesty to the insurgents in his determination to bring the ongoing violent attacks to an end.

Haruna had also said that series of integration programmes have been lined up for the members of the sect who would surrender their arms and embrace peace.

“Let me use this opportunity on behalf of the Federal Government, to call on the members of the Boko Haram sect to embrace the government’s gesture and key into the amnesty programme,” he stated

Curiously, President Jonathan, who spoke at the occasion after Haruna made the comment, did not make any reference to the Minister’s remarks but Abati, while speaking with State House correspondents on Saturday, maintained that the President did not offer amnesty to members of the sect.

Stressing that he would not say anything about the ‘amnesty’ announcement, he said that he would rather refer Nigerians to the Democracy Day nationwide broadcast by the President where he never used the term “amnesty.”

“Let me refer you to the speech by the President. If you read the speech line by line, you will see that it contains the very message that the President wanted to put across and in that speech, if you look at it I don’t think the President used amnesty.

“Instead, he spoke about those who are willing to renounce terrorism, those who are willing to embrace, opportunities have been created for them through the fact-finding committee, through the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolutions of Conflict in the North Eastern part of Nigeria,” Abati said.

On the murder of the Emir of Gwoza on Friday, he said: “The President got the news and he was sad about it because what it means is that these terrorists who are threatening peace and stability in Nigeria, are desperate and they continue to show that desperation.”

“But as the President made it clear in his democracy day broadcast, that was his main message to Nigerians, that at the end of the day it is the people of Nigeria that will prevail, no matter how desperate terrorists may be and that his government is determined to rid the country of terrorism.

“And the support solidarity the cooperation, the expression of partnership that we are receiving from our neighboring countries, the whole of the West African sub-region, Africa and the entire world shows that this is the battle that the whole world is prepared to fight.

“So the days of peace as the President said in his speech is assured because this battle will not end until it is won and sustainable development is fully guaranteed,” he said.

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There had been reports that the crowd at the inauguration registered their disapproval of government’s inability to rescue the girls one month after, with boos of “Bring back our girls” directed at Jonathan as he stepped into the venue of the swearing in.

But briefing State House correspondents late on Saturday on arrival from South Africa, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, described the reports as untrue.

Abati said the reports fit into an ongoing attempt to throw just anything at the present administration in an attempt to discredit it. “It is unfortunate on our arrival, I read one or two reports alleging that the President was jeered at the inauguration ceremony.

“This is absolutely untrue and those who are peddling that kind of misinformation are being unfair, they are being uncharitable and it fits into an ongoing attempt to throw just about anything at this administration in attempt to discredit the administration.

“If anything, what we saw and witnessed in South Africa is that the people of South Africa showed much appreciation of President Jonathan’s presence at the inauguration ceremony and President Jonathan received great hospitality in terms of the response from the people.

“The whole world recognises that the challenge that we face in Nigeria at the moment in relation to the abduction of the girls and the challenge of terrorism; yes the outrage is shared both by Nigerians and other people all over the world but the world also realises that terrorism is a global challenge and this administration continues to show a great resolve to deal with the problem.

“The momentum is on and you know the message from government is that, government is saying categorically, ‘No to Boko Haram’, ‘No to terrorism’ and the people of Nigeria are calling on the terrorists to release the girls.

“Government is saying that it will do everything within its power, explore all options, leave no stone unturned to ensure that our girls are brought back.

“In that regards, there is a meeting of minds and Nigerians can be very sure that President Jonathan is really committed to this effort to ensure that the girls are brought back and safely too.”

Abati noted that Nigeria and South Africa are two friendly and brotherly countries with strong bilateral relations in many areas including trade and investments, diplomacy, immigration, customs, security and power among others.

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Presidential Spokesperson, Dr Reuben Abati, in a statement issued in Abuja said that Akande and his party were “dishonest and upatriotic” in making such claim.

“Nigeria is not on auto pilot. There is a government in place, there is a President who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

“He is doing his very best to provide quality leadership and to reassure Nigerians that government stands ready always to defend their best interest. To give the impression that the President is doing nothing is dishonest,” Abati said.

Abati also faulted Akande on the claim that the “government is mouthing meaningless phrases,” stressing that “This government is not engaging in blame game. This government has a job to do and it is doing the job.

“They cannot say that government is on auto pilot in the face of all the achievements of this administration in the rail sector, health, ​aviation​, foreign relations, transportation​, trade and investment and in ​every sector.

“If Chief Akande wants to be honest with himself, he will say the truth and the truth will be that this country has been moved forward by President Jonathan. We are not at the level we were at the time President Jonathan assumed office​in 2011.”

Abati said that it was unfortunate that the chairman of the APC would use the opportunity of ​the ​situation in the country ​and the abduction of the ​​girls​ ​of GSSC, Chibok ​to engage in partisan blackmail.

He stressed that the issue of national security should go beyond partisan politics.​​ “We are on top of the situation’ that Chief Akande is referred to i​s an English idiom and indeed, the government is on top of the situation.

“Government’s primary responsibility is to ensure that when issues come up, it stands firm to do its very best to protect the people,

“This administration has continually showed courage and commitment in the face of whatever challenge that may arise,” he said.

Abati said that the administration welcomed suggestions and recommendations from well meaning Nigerians but said that the recommendations made by Akande in his piece were things that were already in place.

“These are steps that had already been taken by this administration. So there is nothing original in his recommendations that is unknown to the administration,” he said.

Abati stressed that the period should not be used as a time for politicking,campaigning for 2015 and trying to run down the country.

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Abati who briefed State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, said that the suspension has nothing to do with the appearances of Sanusi or his claims before the Senate Investigative committee on the alleged missing money from the Federation Account.

Abati said that there is no cause for anxiety by the stakeholders and the international community as Nigeria’s monetary policy remains the same despite the suspension, adding that the government remains committed to the stability of the economy, stability of the naira and stability of the country’s monetary policies.

Stressing that the investigation on Sanusi Lamido’s financial recklessness is still on-going, he said that there is nothing wrong in naming a successor for his position months to the expiration of his tenure.

According to him, President Goodluck Jonathan has not flouted the CBN Act or any law as he did not ‘remove’ the CBN governor but ‘suspended’ him, adding that he who has the power to hire also has the power to suspend.

“On the suspension of the CBN governor, the statement was very clear that the president has had to take this decision as part of attempt to strengthen the CBN to ensure that that apex bank continues to be symbol for prudence, integrity and accountability.”

“That statement also made it clear that there has been issue regarding the financial recklessness and also violation of due process and the mandate of the CBN. And in that statement of course it was then made clear that with Mallam Sanusi proceeding on suspension, the most senior Deputy governor Dr. Sarah Alade will assume the office in an acting capacity until various reported breaches have been investigated and resolved.”

“Since that announcement there has been many inquiries particularly with regards to the point of financial recklessness and breaches, there has also been a lot of speculation in both local and foreign media. There has been an expression of anxiety.”

“On the issue of anxiety, I think nobody needs to be anxious this decision has not been taken on the country’s monetary policy, the monetary policy of the country remains the same and there is stability in the system and so investors in the Nigerian economy have no reason whatsoever to fear.”

“That decision was taken only with regards to internal governance issue within the central bank. In the statement issues raised were very clear that there are issues of internal governance. Government remains committed to the stability of the economy, stability of the naira and stability of the country’s monetary policies.”

“The lady who has taken over in acting capacity has been long within the system and so everyone can remain assured that there will be stability and that the institution will remain very strong.”

Abati noted that there were issues of financial recklessness and unprofessional conduct but that did not happen today. It is not as if this is a sudden development, but that it’s been a long process dating back to last year.”

“Last year when the CBN submitted it’s financial statement for the year ended 31st December 2012, a query was raised about some of the issues in the financial statement and the CBN governor was asked to offer some clarification with regards to these issues. This was around first week of May 2013. A response came from the CBN which was then forwarded to the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria.”

“And the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria by its Act  is empowered to review the accounts of the CBN and if there is course for investigation, to conduct such investigation. And if there is need also to invite other bodies to further investigate, the law makes allowance for that.”

“And that took place. And some of the outcomes of that process relates to the issues raised about financial recklessness,” he added

Abati said that few of the allegations which Sanusi was being investigated for include the persistent refusal and negligence to comply with public procurement act in the procurement practices of the CBN; unlawful expenditure by the CBN on intervention projects across the country, deploying huge sums of money as the CBN did under the watch of Mallam Sanusi without appropriation and outside the CBN’s statutory mandate.

“It is said that the expenditure of public funds of course by any organ of government must be based on clear legal mandate, prudent constrain and overriding nation interest. And then financial infraction and act of financial recklessness committed by the CBN and reflected in its audited financial statement for 2012.”

“If you need more details I will be glad to provide those details because is a long list of infractions. But it is on the basis of all of this and to allow for further investigations that the CBN governor has been asked to step aside.”

He said that rather than alley the fear of government on those allegations, the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria confirmed concerns about the untidy manner in which the affairs of the CBN were conducted.

Abati said the suspension has nothing to do with Sanusi’s ongoing appearances in the National Assembly, noting that the government remains committed to ensuring integrity and accountability and discipline in every sector of the economy.

“And it encourages persons who have issues, who have things to say to expressed their rights through the freedom of expression under the constitution. Indeed the government of Nigeria is also interested in what the legislature is doing and do not be surprise if government goes further to initiate further audits as has been suggested in some quarters.”

“And indeed we look forward to a situation whereby Mr. Sanusi will continue to assist the legislature in their investigations and will continue to testify because what government is interested in really is transparency and accountability and anything that will further promote that objective is perfectly welcome.” He said

Abati said there was nothing untidy about the hurried manner in which Sanusi, whose tenure expires in June was sacked, adding that “You know there are two vacancies, the suspended governor was due to retire in June and with the retirement of former Deputy governor Tunde Lemo, there was also a vacancy at the deputy governor’s level.”

“In many countries of the world, you do not wait till the last minute before you appoint successor particularly into a position in such a strategic institutions as the CBN. You allow room for proper transition and for the market to get to know who the new persons are.”

“And with regards to the position of the CBN governor, I think announcing the nomination for that position is good for the market, it builds confidence, it reassures the market that there is no crisis, there is stability and that the institution is in good standing.”

Abati said that he was not aware of the alleged threat by Sanusi to challenge the  illegality of his suspension or any order given for Sanusi’s arrest. “I’m not aware of any directive that he should be arrested as at this moment. But of course you know that under the enabling act of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, where an indictment is established and all that, the law could take its course but as at this moment, I’m not aware of any directive that he should be arrested.”

“The second one when you say the illegality of his suspension, I do not understand what you mean by that, although I am aware that some people are saying oh this is illegal but it is not.”

“People who  talk about illegality, they are referring to Section 11 Sub Section 2 of the CBN Act. Now under that provision, the reference is to removal of the CBN governor by the president and there is a qualification there saying that provided that removal is supported by 2/3rd majority of the Senate.”

“But what the president has done, is not removal, it is suspension. You know you do not read the provision in isolation, you read them together and the interpretation Act, if you read all of these provisions together,the thrash point is that he who hires can also has the power to suspend.”

“So if you have the power to appoint, you also have the power to suspend. What has happened is not removal, it is suspension and that is perfectly within the purview of the law.”

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Though the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, who confirmed Oghiadomhe’s resignation, said it was to enable him seek higher political office within the PDP, very reliable presidency sources told our correspondent in Abuja last night that the President had been inundated with series of allegations against his former Chief of Staff, the Sokoto incident was the final straw that broke the camel’s back.

A source at the Presidential Villa hinted that the former Chief of Staff failed to inform the Governor of Sokoto State, Magatakarda Wammako of the President’s visit as protocol demands.

Instead, he was said to have informed the Deputy Governor, Muktar Shagari who, unlike the governor, refused to decamp to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC.

Despite the fact that he was not formally informed of the President’s visit, Governor Wammako allegedly directed that everything must be put in place to ensure that the President’s visit was successful.

The President was received at the Airport by the Deputy Governor, Mukthar Shagari even though the governor was in town at the time of the President’s visit.

The President was said to have been angry that, at a time everything was being done to woo some of the aggrieved governors who left the PDP back to the Party, deliberate obstacles were being created by some of his close aides.

An indication that Oghiadomhe’s resignation was contrived emerged when he resumed in the office yesterday morning and attended a meeting of a committee on the Centenary Celebrations.

Saharareporters had earlier reported that the former Chief of Staff was sacked because of his involvement in alleged fraud in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, an allegation which Abati denied.

“The president received the letter today which was titled ‘letter of resignation’ and it said he wished to pursue other political necessities in our great party.

“You would recall that about two weeks ago before the president travelled to Ethiopia, he announced in council that if there was any member of the cabinet or any major political appointee who wanted to pursue some other political roles, such people may want to go and pursue other things in whatever capacity, stressing that such people are going to be engaged heavily in political activities.

“They should let him know; and if they felt that they are going to be really busy, and such activities may occupy their time extraordinarily, they should please step aside or come and see him for discussion.

“That you can confirm. It happened on the floor of the council. And you can see what I have pointed out as the reason for the Chief of Staff’s resignation is in line with that.

“We find the speculation particularly by some of the online platforms callous, completely unreasonable, considering that this is a man who has served and who has given time and energy to the pursuit of the good interest of our country.

“Mr president appreciates his contributions and he would like to put on record that indeed he was a man who discharged his responsibilities diligently and the country is very grateful to him and the president personally would like to wish him well in his future endeavours”.

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Former Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to President Goodluck Jonathan, Ima Niboro has been appointed as the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.

Similarly, Sola Omole and Ladan Salihu were appointed as the Director General, Nigerian Television Authority, NTA and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN respectively.

The new appointments which were contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, also has  Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (retd.) as the Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme and Tanwa Olusi as his deputy

According to the statement, Senator Suleiman Ajadi was named Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters while Fidelia Njeze was appointed the Special Adviser on NEPAD. Njeze replaced Dr. Tunji Olagunju who was sacked alongside Emordi.

Abati said Jonathan made the appointments which took immediate effect in furtherance of his efforts to continually strengthen his administration on all fronts.

Agwai was until now the Deputy Chairman and Acting Chairman of SURE-P while Njeze is the current Nigerian Ambassador to Switzerland.

Agwai replaced Dr. Christopher Kolade who recently resigned voluntarily while Ajadi replaced Senator Joy Emordi who was sacked last year.

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