Talk less, plan more, Presidency tells APC

*Says Nigerians not ready to accept any excuse for failure
*FEC approves draft National Policy on Renewable Energy

By Ben Agande

ABUJA — The  Presidency, Wednesday, chided the All Progressives Congress, APC, over its claim that President Jonathan is running the economy aground before handing over, saying “the allegation is immature, reckless and out of tune with the President’s desire and patriotic commitment to a peaceful transfer of power.”

 

Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Prof. Rufai Alkali, who reacted to APC’s allegation, yesterday, urged the party to talk less and plan more as the nation moves towards May 29 inauguration date.

Alkali reminded APC that “governance is a serious business,” adding that “with the sudden and unexpected concession of victory to them, it appears that the APC is beginning to face the full reality of managing the great challenges of a complex nation.

“Their recent, frequent and unnecessary attacks on the President clearly shows that they are losing their nerves and are beginning to lay foundation to justify their failures in the near future and we want to remind them that Nigerians are not ready to accept any excuses for their failure. They promised to bring change, so they must bring positive change to the well-being of Nigerians and urgently too.

“Nigerians will recall that shortly after the results of the Presidential elections were announced, President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated a high powered transition committee to plan and organise a hitch-free transition programme for the inauguration of the incoming administration.

Surprisingly, it took the APC more than three weeks to wake up to its responsibility to constitute its own transition committee. How then can they turn round to accuse the government of frustrating the transition programme?

“Since the setting up of the committee, the President and the entire machinery of the Federal Government have been put on the transition mood and all government officers have been giving maximum cooperation to the incoming transition committee.

“By the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Jonathan remains in office up to May 29, 2015 when he formally hands over to the incoming President. The machinery of government cannot be put on hold or frozen because the country is in transition”

FEC approves draft National Policy on Renewable Energy

Meanwhile, the Federal Executive Council, FEC, yesterday approved a draft  National Policy on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency for the country even as the council offered special prayers to mark the 5th anniversay of President Goodluck Jonathan in office.

Addressing State House correspondents after the meeting, Minister of Information, Mrs Patricia Akwashiki and Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo,  said the country was blessed with vast hydro, solar, wind and other sources of energy, hence the need for a policy for renewable energy.

According to Nebo, the policy would promote increased access to electricity by Nigerians and improve energy mix as well as energy security. He said the policy would also create jobs for the nation’s teeming youths.

He said: “The overall policy objective is to increase access using renewable energy mix, create new business opportunities and new jobs, support global efforts towards green economies and addressing climate change problems.

“I addition, the policy will also promote and encourage efficient use of energy and energy conservation in Nigeria.

“After due consideration, council approved the Draft National Policy on Renewable Energy and Efficiency for Nigeria.”

Special prayers to mark Jonathan’s 5th year in office

Meanwhile, the special prayers to mark the 5th anniversary of President Goodluck in office, took most members of the council by surprise as most of them, who did not remember the date, saw the Minister of Labour, Chinedu Nebo, an ordained minister in the Anglican Communion and Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, offering Christian and Muslim prayers respectively.

President Jonathan was   sworn-in on May 6, 2010 by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, following the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua.

Jonathan, who came into the council chambers, announced the news of his swearing-in five years ago.

After the National Anthem and National Pledge,  Jonathan threw a poser at the ministers that one of them was marking his birthday.
He said instead of the usual national prayer, two members of council, a Christian and a Muslim, should offer prayers for the council member before the meeting would continue with the day’s business.

The ministers looked round at each other  in surprise, wondering who the celebrant was without any clue. Jonathan then reminded them that May 6, 2015 marks his 5th year as substantive President.

All cabinet members clapped joyfully before Nebo, said the Christian prayer while Yuguda said the Muslim prayer.

After the National Pledge, Jonathan said: “Today, we will not say the national prayer. Somebody is celebrating birthday so we will offer special prayers for him. Two very Godly people will pray, Nebo and Yuguda. Do you know the person?”

When they could not answer, he said: “On May 6, exactly five years today, I was sworn-in as substantive President.”