Jonathan






The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, has said that all those who are accusing President Goodluck Jonathan of corruption are the fathers of corruption.
The Oba was speaking in his palace when President Goodluck Jonathan led a delegation of PDP officials to receive his blessings just before the flag-off of the presidential campaign in Lagos State.
Oba Akiolu raised issues of corruption with a mention of the Harliburton scandal and the killing of former Attorney-General, Chief Bola Ige but prayed that in the end only the best candidate would emerge in the 2015 general elections.
In his speech, President Goodluck Jonathan thanked the Oba for supporting his administration.
He described Lagos as the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria that should be of importance to any well meaning politician and which needs the right persons to govern.
President Jonathan said that his administration has much to show in the area of transportation, agriculture, road construction and wondered why anyone would say that his administration had not performed.
He also wondered why anyone would say he was not fighting corruption, claiming that statistics would soon debunk the lies being told by his critics.
He promised to do more when voted into power.
The Chairman of the party, Adamu Muazu, also assured the traditional ruler that the PDP means well for the country and that was why there has been tremendous development and progress going on in the country.
The traditional ruler said that he had prayed for the country and gave an assurance that he would continue to pray for a peaceful conduct of the elections and continuous peace beyond the election.
President Jonathan was also accompanied by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo; the Senate President, David Mark; some former and serving governors as well as the Minister of the Federal Capital.


OBA OF LAGOS BLAMES OBASANJO, NOT JONATHAN FOR NIGERIA’S WOES

The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, on Thursday said President Goodluck Jonathan should not be blamed for the problems of Nigeria.
Oba Akiolu said this while receiving the president Jonathan at his palace in Lagos.
He said that many of the problems in the country predated the Jonathan administration.
Mr. Jonathan was in Lagos State for the flag-off of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) presidential campaign at the Tafawa Balewa Square.
He was at the Oba’s palace to pay homage to him and seek his blessings before going to the campaign venue.
Mr. Akiolu said fighting corruption was the responsibility of every Nigerian.
“What will be, will be; God Almighty will give the best person the opportunity to lead this country.
“Mr President, God knows the best; I am happy; what I want are free and fair elections.
“I am happy that Mr President directed INEC to ensure that voters’ cards are distributed to every eligible member of the electorate,’’ he said.
He urged INEC to ensure distribution of voters’ cards, saying that Lagos had more than six million eligible voters.
The monarch urged that security agents should not be unfairly used against any citizen during the general elections.
According to him, both the PDP governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje, and his APC counterpart, Akinwunmi Ambode, are his children.
He said that he had presented Mr. Ambode’s candidature for God’s blessing at the 2014 Hajj in Saudi Arabia but noted that God would always have the final say.
The Oba expressed confidence that Nigeria would be more united after the elections.
Mr. Akiolu accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of not treating Lagos well during his administration and leaving many problems unsolved in the country.
Earlier, Mr. Jonathan said he went to the palace to pay homage to the royal father and sought his prayers and support for his ambition.
The president said that the Nigerian government under the PDP had done much for the country, contrary to claims by the opposition.
He said that his administration did not believe in blowing its trumpet but determined to meet the expectations of the citizenry.
Mr. Jonathan said his administration had revived rail transport system, improved road network, created jobs and implemented policies aimed at economic advancement, among other achievements. (NAN)