Text OF JOINT Statement By Ministers In The Jonathan
Administration
“We, the Ministers who served under the
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration, have watched with increasing
alarm and concern the concerted effort by the Buhari administration and members
of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to condemn, ridicule and undermine the
efforts of that administration, in addition to impugning the integrity of its
individual members.
*Jonathan
“While we concede that every administration has
the right to chart its own path as it deems fit, we nevertheless consider the
vilification of the Jonathan administration, to be ill-intentioned, unduly
partisan, and in bad faith.
“The effort that has been made to portray each
and every member of the Jonathan administration as corrupt and irresponsible,
in an orchestrated and vicious trial by media, has created a lynch mentality
that discredits our honest contributions to the growth and development of our beloved
nation.
“We are proud to have served Nigeria and we
boldly affirm that we did so diligently and to the best of our abilities. The
improvements that have been noticed today in the power sector, in national
security, and in social services and other sectors did not occur overnight. They
are products of solid foundations laid by the same Jonathan administration.
“Contrary to what the APC and its agents would
rather have the public believe, the Jonathan did not encourage corruption;
rather it fought corruption vigorously within the context of the rule of law
and due process. For the benefit of those who may have forgotten so soon, it
was the Jonathan administration that got rid of the fraud in fertilizer
subsidies, which had plagued the country for decades. This helped to unleash a
revolution in agricultural production and productivity.
“It was also the Jonathan administration that
supported the institutional development of strong systems and mechanisms to
curb corruption in the public service and plug revenue leakages. These included
the development of the Government Integrated Financial Management Platform, The
Single Treasury Account (TSA), and the Integrated Personnel and Payroll
Management Systems (IPPIS), in addition to the biometric registration of civil
servants and pensioners which saved the country over N100 billion paid to ghost
workers and ghost pensioners.
“To ensure greater transparency and integrity
in the oil and gas sector, the Jonathan administration ordered investigations
and put mechanisms in place to check the theft of Nigeria ’s crude oil.
*Suleiman
(Daily Times)
(Daily Times)
“It was also under the Jonathan administration
that a Nigerian Content policy was introduced, which opened up that sector to
Nigerians in a manner that was not previously the case.
“It was also the Jonathan administration that
mobilized and secured the support of our neighbouring countries to ensure a
robust multinational response to the menace of terrorism and insurgency,
resulting in notable advancements in the fight against terror.
“President Jonathan personally initiated the
collaboration that led to these advancements and ensured that Nigeria
provided the needed financial support for the Multinational Joint Task Force.
“It was the Jonathan administration that
repaired and rehabilitated over 25, 000 kilometres of
our nation’s roads. Nigeria
also became a profitable and preferred investment-friendly destination. It was
under President Jonathan, for example, that Nigeria ’s electric power sector
became more competitive and attractive to local and foreign investments.
“The same administration promoted the rule of
law, free speech, fundamental human rights, and a robust freedom of information
regime. Women’s rights to participate in public life and the Federal Character
principle as well as other Constitutional principles were also respected.
“In every respect, our administration promoted
inclusive governance and encouraged all stakeholders including the private
sector to play key roles in the transformation of Nigeria .
“It should also not be forgotten that the
Jonathan administration strengthened electoral institutions and created a
peaceful environment for democracy to thrive. On this score, it is sad and
ironic that the chief beneficiaries of that same legacy are the most vociferous
today in condemning President Jonathan and his team.”
“Perhaps the new administration and the APC would be sincere enough to publish the details
of the hand over notes they received. In addition, the Buhari administration
should be fair enough to acknowledge the good works of the Jonathan
administration. No administration can be either completely bad or completely
good.
“President Jonathan’s achievements in moving
this country to greater heights deserve to be dully acknowledged. We urge
President Muhammadu Buhari to build on these achievements.
“We also urge him to press on with the
anti-corruption fight, but in a fair and non-partisan manner, in line with due
process, and not as a political witch-hunt.
“The various lies and fabrications being
peddled by some self-appointed spokespersons of the administration may
entertain the unwary, but such sensationalism may achieve the unintended effect
of de-marketing our country within the international community.
“All such persons playing to the gallery for
whatever gains should be called to order. The name-calling of members of the
Jonathan administration and the trial by news media should also stop.
“We encourage President Buhari to continue with
the probes, but this must be in strict accordance with his oath of office to
treat all Nigerians equally and with the fear of God.
“We have reserved our comment until now, in the
fervent hope that once the euphoria that may have inspired the various attacks
on the past administration wears off, reason will prevail.
“But we are constrained to speak up in defence
of the legacy of the Jonathan administration, and shall do so again, for as
long as those who are determined to rubbish that legacy, are unrelenting in
their usual deployment of blackmail, persecution, and similar tactics.”
Dr Abubakar O. Suleiman
Former
Minister of National Planning
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