Uncategorized

Jonathan -Governors Abusing me Not Helping Their State

Published

11 years ago

March 5, 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan has told state governors who cast
aspersion on him and the Federal Government that such action will
not help the development of their states.
He said on Tuesday that the best thing for state governors to do was
to take their cue from Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State by
ensuring cordial relationship with him and the Federal Government.
Jonathan gave the advice while receiving a delegation of Anambra
State indigenes who were at the Presidential Villa, Abuja to thank
him for the support he gave to Obi, the outgoing governor of the state.
Obi will hand over to the governor-elect, Chief Willie Obiano, on
March 17.
He said unlike some unnamed politicians who preferred to fight him,
the outgoing Anambra State governor cooperated with his government
and played active role in the Economic Management Team.
He said, “Peter Obi worked very hard as a governor, very friendly
to the government.
“He is a member of our Economic Management Team and an
honorary adviser to the President on Finance and Commerce and he
worked very hard, attended all the meetings and made very meaningful
contributions.
“Even the day we announced that he might be leaving, the suggestion
was that we should still keep him even if he is no longer the governor
of Anambra State. That is the relationship we had. I have to thank
Governor Peter Obi for that good relationship.
“A number of politicians feel that the best thing to do is to be abusing
Mr. President, abusing the Federal Government and so on.
“You are elected to develop your state, I think the best thing is to have
good relationship with the centre, whether you have a pin or you don’t
have but one day it will come. Wearing boxing gloves, jumping into
the boxing ring to face Mr. President does not help the development of
any state.”
He promised that he would extend the same hand of friendship he had
with Obi to his successor.
Jonathan announced that the ground-breaking of the second Niger
Bridge would hold on March 10.
He explained that the event was delayed because of his directive that
the project should not start until the finances were worked out.
He said, “On the second Niger Bridge, I remember I said we would
make sure that we start that project before Peter Obi steps aside.
“The Finance Minister and the Works Minister must work out
details so that if we are going for the ground-breaking ceremony, we
know that the work will not stop until the project is completed and
God willing that is what it is going to be.
“We have agreed to come on Monday, the 10th of this month. We will
quickly do the ground-breaking, I think it is about 11 am on Monday
before we rush back to Abuja to inaugurate the National Conference
delegates.”
Obi, on his part, confirmed that it would be difficult for any state
governor to make any meaningful impact without the support of the
Federal Government.
“It will be difficult for any governor to make any meaningful impact
without the support of the Federal Government. I have served under
three Presidents and I can say the difference. Continue to support the
governor-elect. Anambra is your home and we shall continue to stand
by you,” the outgoing governor said.