Corruption allegations meant to kill me politically, says Jonathan – Newstrends
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Corruption allegations meant to kill me politically, says Jonathan

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Former President Goodluck Jonathan says the corruption allegations levelled against him could have sent him into political oblivion but God did not allow that happen.

He spoke at a book presentation in Abuja on Tuesday, pointing out some officials of the current administration tagged him and members of his cabinet as corrupt.

Jonathan was in charge of the country between 2010 and 2015 and displaced by President Muhammadu Buhari after losing to him in the 2015 election.

Tuesday’s forum was the public presentation of “Dear President Goodluck Jonathan”, a book written in his honour by Bonaventure Melah, a former managing editor of Daily Times.

Jonathan, however, said the wrong perception about him was gradually changing.

He said, “That is the problem myself and some members of my cabinet are still suffering since the beginning this administration when we were all tagged corrupt people.

“But I thank God that people can come together to celebrate me today. It is God. Otherwise, I would have been completely buried (politically).”

He also spoke on how he was advised to sack Aruma Oteh as the director-general of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2012 to avoid trouble with the House of Representatives.

The former president said some of his associates had suggested the removal of Oteh in order to appease the federal lawmakers whom Oteh had accused of corruption.

“When my close political allies, advised me to sacrifice Arunma Oteh so that I don’t have problems with the House of Representatives.

“I said I won’t sacrifice any Nigerian just for me to be in the good books of the lawmakers. Rather, I would sacrifice myself. I took that decision because I was convinced she was not corrupt.

“If I had sacked her undeservedly that may have been the end of her career with the World Bank.”

He also said it was not true that he sacked Azubuike Ihejirika as chief of army staff “because of pressures from the North.”

“If somebody is going the right thing, even if you want to split my head, I would not sack the person,” the former president said.

Jonathan added that one of his core objectives while in office was to bring about national development through the instrument of education.

He said, “My interest was to change the society through education. No matter what we do to elevate Nigeria, without education, society would find it difficult to change. That was my personal view. “That was also why I intervened in the almajirai case. We needed to elevate them above that level, because of the many social problems they were causing.

“I strongly believe that if there must be a change in Nigeria, we must be competent scientifically and technologically, because technology rules the world today.”

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Rivers: PDP restores Fubara-backed exco after court nullifies Wike-won congresses

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Nyesom Wike and Siminalayi Fubara

Rivers: PDP restores Fubara-backed exco after court nullifies Wike-won congresses

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has acknowledged and accepted the judgment of the Rivers State High Court, which nullified the party’s Ward, Local Government, and State Congresses conducted on July 27, August 10, and August 31, 2024, respectively.

In compliance with the court’s decision delivered on Monday, January 13, 2025, the NWC has reinstated the Hon. Nname Robinson Ewor-led Rivers State Executive to oversee the affairs of the PDP in the state, under the party’s constitution.

The NWC commended the court’s decision, emphasizing the PDP’s commitment to transparency, internal democracy, and adherence to the rule of law in its operations.

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A statement signed by the PDP national publicity secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba read in parts:

“The NWC charges the Ewor-led Rivers State Executive to work hard to further unite the Party in the State so that the people of Rivers State can continue to enjoy the massive dividends of democracy as being delivered by our performing governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara, in line with the manifesto and policy thrust of the PDP.

“The NWC commends all members of the PDP in Rivers State for their steadfastness and unshaken belief in the ideals of the Party as a truly democratic and all-inclusive Party guided only by the collective Will, yearning and aspiration of the people.”

Rivers: PDP restores Fubara-backed exco after court nullifies Wike-won congresses

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Factional Obidient movement planning to dump LP – Chieftain

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Factional Obidient movement planning to dump LP – Chieftain

The Coordinator, Obidient Youth Ambassadors, Meche Oswald, has revealed plots by a factional Obedient Movement within the Labour Party (LP) to float another political platform.

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Omo-Agege pledges support for Tinubu, says he remains committed APC member

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Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege

Omo-Agege pledges support for Tinubu, says he remains committed APC member

Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has said reports of his plan to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) and team up with former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, to float a phantom new political party is shocking.

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