News
VP Slot: Jonathan, PDP Undecided
Although some Nigeria’s political juggernauts have began jostling for the Vice President slot, President Goodluck Jonathan is still undecided, The Tide on Sunday can now reveal.
The race for the Vice President slot has been on behind the scene while Dr. Jonathan held sway as Acting President, it was intensified as soon as it was learnt that President Yar’Adua was no more, with Governors Forum and other interest groups showing interest in it.
Curiously, all the contenders for the plump political job are from the North and ardent members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) although the 1999 Constitution stipulates that the Vice President could be picked by the President from any part of the Country.
Sources at both the Presidential villa and Wadata House — the PDP National Secretariat at Wuse Zone 5, Abuja told The Tide On Sunday that virtually all the avowed ‘god fathers’ of the party, especially from the Northern Zone and some Governors of PDP controlled State have expressed interest in having their loyalists considered for the Number – Two office in the land.
These political godfathers, The Tide On Sunday learnt include some members of the PDP’S Board of Trustees (BOT), like its Chairman, former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and former Chairman, Chief Toney Anenih and contenders for the party’s 2011 presidential ticket like former military President, Geneneral Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar as well as Patrons and arrow-heads of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) like Nigeria’s former permanent representative at the United Nations, Maitama Sule – on whose desk, many believe the political equation in the North stops.
Inspite of the general interests expressed in the Vice President’s Job and on-going jostling for it, especially in the North, The Tide On Sunday was able to establish in Abuja that the front contenders for the plumb Job as at yesterday are secretary to the Government of the federation (SGF), Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, National Security Adviser to the President, Aliyu Gusau and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai who returned to the country last week after about two years in exile.
Our Aso Rock Presidential Source said the list is by no means exhaustive as behind the scene moves were being intensified to enlist names like Senate President, Senetor David Mark, former Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu & Governor of Bauchi State, Mr. Isa Yuguda among other contenders, adding that the trio of Ahmed, Gusau and el-Rufai however seem to have an edge over others, as at yesterday.
Adducing reasons for this, our source said: “Yayale Ahmed has been loyal to Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, that explains why he was retained by Jonathan although he was appointed by Yar’Adua and you know any president want a loyal deputy so Yayale is being considered based on his credential of loyalty .
Gusau is seen as an old war-horse that could be used by the government to keep the status-quo intact. He is favoured by the Presidential Advisory council charied by General Theophilus Danjuma (Rtd), on whose advice of course, he was appointed National Security Adviser.
The Military is loyal to him. This has been proved overtime, right from the days of IBB and Obasanjo in government so the thinking is that with him as Veepee, mutiny in the army would be adequately kept under check throughout Jonathan’s tenure”.
Our source continued, “For el-Rufai you know he is Obasanjo’s boy”. Infact, Obasanjo is instrumental to his home-coming, without arrest at the airport, inspite of the fact that he was declared ‘wanted’ by the EFCC and you know Jonathan was Obasanjo’s Choice for the Veepee slot in 2007 when he ran with Yar’Adua. If you know President Jonathan very well, he does not believe in biting the finger that feeds him or being disloyal to his superior officers so the calculation is that if Obasanjo comes up with superior arguments for El-Rufai, he might be considered for the Veepee slot.
Our correspondent reports that the bulk stops on President Jonathan’s desk as he is the only one empowered by the constitution to nominate his deputy and forward the name to theNational Seemblyfor screening and confirmation but this may not be without consultation with parts of the country.
Justus Awaji, Abuja
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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