Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State says it will be out of place for President Goodluck Jonathan to seek re-election in 2015,because he will be ineligible to so contest.
The governor, in an interview in Abuja,argued that President Jonathan,having served first as acting President and now spending a fresh four year term,ought not to seek re-election.
He said that the generality of Nigerians would have kicked against a similar move by any other person.
He said: “ Of course to us, their (Umaru Yar’Adua/Jonathan) term started in 2007. He was two years vice president; he was two years president. 2011 to 2015 will be four years, so if you add the two, whether you want to say eight years or six years, depends on who is doing the arithmetic.
“But for them, they are pretending that they started in 2011. I saw them talking about it on television, that they are just two and a half years old in government. They started long before 2011, almost two years. I am not a lawyer, but I kept on seeing eight years everywhere, and two plus six plus four cannot be eight, that is if you don’t consider his days as vice-president or acting President.
“Even from 2015 to 2019 under normal circumstances, they are looking for extending the four-year term to six years. So, you can see how the extension keeps on moving on and on.”
Describing third term as a taboo,Kwankwaso added: “Under normal circumstances, many people won’t worry, especially if the economy, if the security, if the development of the country, was moving very well.
“Unfortunately, we all know what is happening. The economy is not good; the security is not good, especially in the North-East and many parts of the North, and I think this is the time for Mr. President, the Commander-in-Chief to come out and do the right thing. The right thing is to come out sincerely to either negotiate or fight what is happening in the North-East and others. I think the days of pretence should be over.”
He said President Jonathan’s performance in office has been below par because he was unprepared for the job.
“From history and statistics, it is very difficult to see anybody who decides to arrogate himself to that level, becoming president, especially in Nigeria. Most of those who were president, including this one, I’m not sure if he ever contemplated coming to be vice president or the president. At a time, it was some people that decided to say it should be Jonathan; I’m sure his mind was not here.I think also that was one of the problems,” Kwankwaso said.
He said that the President is finding it difficult to publicly declare his interest in the 2015 race because “the temperature is very hot for them now.”
“The temperature is very hot now, it is not easy to say I am declaring. If the President declares now, Ahmed Muazu will run away because I don’t think he will stay there to defend that. And I think as long as the declaration is hanging the temperature cannot get cooler than it is now.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
"Whether you want to say eight years or six years, depends on who is doing the arithmetic." - Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State
ReplyDeleteRabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State, now you are the one doing the arithmetic, so be honest at least to your self; for how many years has GEJ been president? How many years is a Nigerian constitutionally allowed to be president? And how many more years does he have to be president?
One thing that disturbs me in this country is how quickly old men forget their age in the name of politics. And they do so shamelessly. Can you imagine the statement that someone who should be regarded as an old man that should advise the future leaders of Nigeria just made. Let me quote it again for emphasis...."Whether you want to say eight years or six years, depends on who is doing the arithmetic". So is he tell us that he does not know how long GEJ has been president - Acting or not acting. Why should he play with words on an issue that is glaring? Why does this old man think that Nigerians are idiots? I am sick of these dishonest politicians.
At least he could have said that GEJ has been president for 6 years, both in acting and in substansive. Then we can start the arguement from there in an attempt to sort out how we will have to deal with the remaining 2 years he is constitutionally allowed to be president if he is elected. But because it is constitutionally impossible to resolve this issue and create a situation where GEJ should run and rule for only 2 years if he wins, that is why this old man has said: "Whether you want to say eight years or six years, depends on who is doing the arithmetic."
Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State, since you know that the constitutional right GEJ has as a Nigeria, is to sit as president for not more than 8 year, and he will be 6 years in by 2015 as both acting and substansive president, when you have a universally acceptable answer as to how the remaining 2 years should be resolved, you can start talking again. But until then, you should do yourself a favour, respect your old age, and SHUT UP!
Your postulations are all wrong aboki governor. Whether you like it or not, GEJ must contest and win . That born to rule mentality is now history.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 9.21am, Jonathan knows he is not accepted cos of his 6yrs active and substanstive tenure, dat is Y he is careful abt his 3rd Term. Honestly GEJ has not achieved anythng as a president. His CV is so empty so y shud Naija vote him again, pls can u tell me on wot ground u re Going to vote him,wot av u benefited. Pls be sincere! Anonymous 3.39am can also lemme kno Y he shud be voted 3rd tym,hw can u convince nigerians to vote him? rememba its yardua/jonathan 2007.
ReplyDelete