PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2013
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News
Jonathan receives Mali’s highest honour
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L-R: Mali Interim President, Professor Dioncounda Traore, conferring the highest honour in Mali (GrandCroix L’ordre Nationale Du Mali) on President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye
he Interim President of Mali, Diongunda Traore, yesterday in Abuja, described President Goodluck Jonathan as an “astute mediator’’ who “lit the light when everything was dark and sombre” in Mali. Mr. Traore spoke when he conferred on Mr. Jonathan the highest honour of the Republic of Mali “Grand Croix de L’ordre National du Mali’’ meaning “the Highest Cross of the National Order of Mali.’’ The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the ceremony, which held at the council chamber of the Presidential Villa, was attended by top political leaders from Mali. Governors Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and Peter Obi of A nambra, ministers and presidential aides were also in attendance. Traore, who spoke through an interpreter, said the honour was to appreciate the pivotal roles played by Mr. Jonathan and Nigeria in the restoration of peace and security
to Mali. “I transmit the greetings and gratitude of the Malian people, greetings and gratitude of the Malian people to the Nigerian people who have shown themselves in solidarity in the Malian course. “Greetings and gratitude to yourself, President Jonathan, for your engagement to our fight since the beginning of the security crisis; crisis which has also been political and humanitarian, which shook Mali from January 2012 and for many months. “We know how much your country suffers also from terrorism. “We know how much Nigeria has needs of its troops, of her soldiers and all the soldiers at her disposal to ensure internal security against forces of evil, who have continued to attack innocent citizens. “However, in spite of this internal need and pressure, your country has not hesitated to put at the disposal of Mali her soldiers and her logistics,” the Malian leader said. (NAN)
I remain in PDP, but my associates can register PDM, says Atiku
Confusion as Tukur meets 3 governors
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aggrieved over any activity of the party should utilize all the internal mechanisms and platforms set out by the party to reconcile aggrieved members under the cardinal three ‘R’s of the national chairman which is Reconciliation, Reformation and Rebuilding. “The chairman said that their visit was a confirmation of consultations adopted by the leadership of the party to ensure total reconciliation of aggrieved members as set out by the National Reconciliation Committee headed by Gov. Dickson,” Okpala concluded. But our source close to the Sokoto state governor gave a contrary account of what transpired between the aggrieved governors and the PDP chairman. The source, while acknowledging the fact that the three governors actually met with Tukur, said that there was no reconciliation as claimed by the PDP national chairman’s aide. The source disclosed that at the meeting, the governors merely reiterated to Tukur that he is the real problem of the party, just as they hinted him that the ranks of governors opposed to his leadership of the PDP has risen from six to eight. Furthermore, the governors impressed it upon him to voluntarily tell President Goodluck Jonathan of his decision to quit as the party’s chairman, for there to be peace in the PDP, the source stressed. According to the source, Tukur, who literally fell on his knees pleading with the governors to sheathe their sword, was reminded of the consequences of his continued stay as the party’s chairman.
former Vice President and member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has confirmed that some of his political associates are set to register a new party, the Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM. The PDM, one of Nigeria’s oldest existing political movements was founded by Nigeria’s former deputy military leader, late Shehu Yar’Adua, and is currently headed by Alhaji Abubakar. Speaking through his media aide, Garba Shehu, Alhaji Abubakar said in a statement, “The PDM platform, which was founded by late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, provided the impetus for his impressive performance across
the country during the September 1992 presidential primaries, which were later cancelled by the military regime.” “The late Gen. Yar’Adua came close to becoming President, thanks to the formidable PDM structure. In 1999, the PDM was also in the forefront in the emergence of former President Obasanjo as PDP presidential candidate. “Political observers also noted that the choice of Atiku Abubakar as running mate to Obasanjo in 1999 was a recognition of the active role of the PDM platform in his victory.” The PDM is known to have top politicians across the county as members including former
Katsina state Governor, Lawal Kaita; and former Minister and Lagos politician, Dapo Sarumi. However Atiku said he remains a member of the Peoples Democatic Party, PDP, but insisted that he doesn’t have the right or power to stop others from associating or seeking the registration of new parties. Further, he said he would would always welcome the expansion of the political space to accommodate all shades of opinions or political hue, and added that many of his political associates are equally members of political parties other than the PDP. According to him, freedom of association as enshrined in
the constitution is the beauty of democracy and that he wouldn’t dissuade any of his followers from seeking a platform to promote their programmes. Alhaji Abubakar recently complained publicly against being ostracised from the PDP in a petition sent to the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, he had alleged that he being denied of his dues as a former vice president and member of the ruling party. The Adamawa-born politician was President Goodluck Jonathan’s main challenger for the PDP presidential ticket prior to 2011. He complained then that the PDP primaries were manipulated to favour the president.
Oil workers slam NASS over PIB
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orkers in the nation’s oil sector have criticised the manner in which members of the National Assembly are handing the allimportant Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) particularly the delay in its passage, saying this is blocking new investments in the sector with negative impacts on the economy. The oil workers are also insisting that the National Assembly ensures that the provisions of the PIB covers not only agencies and companies created under the proposed law but all companies operating in the
petroleum sector. The workers under the auspices of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) speaking on the platform of NUPENGASSAN, also want the processes involved in enacting transparent. At the joint news conference in Lagos yesterday, President of PENGASSAN, Babatunde Ogun, criticised the manner in which members of the National Assembly are handing the allimportant Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) particularly the delay in
its passage, saying this is blocking new investments in the sector with negative impacts on the economy. The oil workers are also insisting that the National Assembly ensures that the provisions of the PIB covers not only agencies and companies created under the proposed law but all companies operating in the petroleum sector. He said these laws were enacted to check inherent corruption and misappropriation of funds in public organisations and as such should apply to all government agencies especially those within the petroleum industry.
He observed that subjecting the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) successor companies to the FRA and PPA will allow for transparency, probity and accountability in managing the organisations. He also called for a shorter timeframe for approval by FRA and PPA, saying this will take away bureaucratic bottleneck. The two called to question the provision of the PIB granting the president “discretionary powers” to award petroleum licences and leases, saying this should not be allowed as it will encourage more corruption in the oil sector.
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