Jonathan Can Rule Nigeria From Anywhere! - FG

The Federal Government yesterday fired back at those condemning President Goodluck Jonathan's trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the United Nations' Earth Summit, RIO+20, at a time the country was facing serious security crisis, saying the President can rule the country from any part of the world.
"One of the problems we have is that some Nigerians play politics with everything, but we cannot destroy our country because of personal political ambitions," Jonathan said, adding that much of the incessant and often unjustifiable criticisms of his Administration were based on lies.
Briefing State House Correspondents alongside the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Amma Pepple and Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Ngama after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo, Minister of information, Mr. Labaran Maku argued that President Jonathan's decision to attend the UN Earth Summit and his absence from the country did not amount to negligent of duties.

Maku said, "The President can take decision from anywhere in the world. His absence will not hamper his power to act. The Vice President effectively takes charge of affairs once the president is out of Nigeria and he is in touch with the President on hourly basis. There is no vacuum; the most important thing is that the president and the vice president work harmoniously and are in constant touch.
"If the president panics, what will the people do? We must stop making politics out of the unfortunate incidence going on in Northern Nigeria. The world is now a virtual society. That the president is out of the country doesn't mean he cannot make decision on a matter. We should not play politics; he is in constant touch with this country on an hourly basis".

He goes on to say, "We should stop turning the tragedy in the Northern Nigeria to politics. We are not being invaded by foreigners but it is our people killing themselves. The president has provided every leadership on this matter. Let people make meaningful contribution to how to end this and not to play cheap politics and engage in political blackmail. For those turning this to politics, they should re-examine their level of patriotism to this country.

"The president has provided every leadership under the current situation. Serious citizens should come out with good suggestions. It appears to me that it has been turned into a political platform. Nigerians should be more circumspect under the current situation where citizens are killing people for no reasons. People have left the terrorists aside and are criticizing the President. The debate has not shown solidarity with the President. What is required at this time is cooperation with the president. He is on a working visit to Brazil and not on a holiday"

Yes I'm sure the Vice President is as effective as the President, and I'm sure every decision made by him has been discussed thoroughly via one of the many means of communication whilst he is away. But their was a call by a very vocal part of the citizenry to empathize with the situation that was taking place as he was leaving. What I find worrying about Makus statement is the clear irritation of criticism of Goodluck administration.
 
"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty "

Democracy is said to be a government by discussion and criticism. The right to criticise the government should not be restricted. There should be free and frank criticism, one thing they need to remember is that a goldfish has no hiding place and right now President Goodluck Jonathan's every move will be monitored, criticised, applauded or condemned.

Only a country that's still not used to the concept of democracy can issue a statement like that. Mr Maku needs to realise that criticism comes with democracy. Nobody has said we are being invaded by foreigners we know that Boko Haram and the tragedy's in the North are very much a Nigerian problem and maybe a direct cause could be linked to the very same government criticised. You say "if the President Panics what will the people do"? if you have not noticed the people are panicking especially when they see the dead bodies of people destroyed by bombs or guns on weekly/daily basis.

If allegations or criticisms are false then refute it, but don't be irritated by those who chose to voice their opinions after all, the majority of people questioning this administration voted them in.

President Goodlucks job is not an easy one, and our prayers are constantly with him but please do not restrict our rights to voice our concerns