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Nigeria’s president, Goodluck Jonathan, tonight hosted his eight presidential media chat since May 2011. The challenges confronting Nigeria – insecurity, the economy, corruption, dearth of infrastructure – were largely discussed. Here's all he said, compiled by me with additional information from Times.

On postponed elections:

The president sought the understanding of the international community over the postponed elections. He said the kind of scenarios where elections are postponed for the sake of perpetuating power is not the case in Nigeria.

Boko Haram:

The president was asked why he thinks the war against Boko Haram can be won in six weeks even though the war had raged for six years. The president said he has just acquired new weapons, and gotten of neigbhouring countries to fight Boko Haram. He mentioned that Chad waited for African Union approval, which they recently got too. He also mentioned that the issue of security is beyond Boko Haram. The president said it runs into dangerous signals of youth restiveness. In the next four weeks Nigerians will see the difference in the security intervention in the North, he said.

The president is asked where he bought arms for the coming onslaught on Boko Haram. He said they managed to get from other sources other than America.

Do you have confidence in Jega to conduct the 2015 elections?

The president said he wished Jega was seated by his side to answer the question.

I wish Jega were here, I could have asked him to answer whether I have confidence in him Yes those who called for his sack may be close to me, but they express their own opinion. More than 80 per cent of those who sponsor messages on our behalf we don't even know them. People use the reschedule of election to misinform Nigerians.

I have never thought about removing INEC Chairman, though I have the constitutional power to do so.''

GEJ blamed his ers for rumours about Jega's resignation. "I have not told anybody that I will remove Jega," he said. He explained that if there are obvious reasons to remove Jega, he would rely on "constitutional" provisions that gives him powers to sack whoever he appoints.

Attacks:

''The level of misinformation, especially from young people is high. Attempting to attack the president is treasonable offence.The president is protected by soldiers, not just the police. People get carried away and make some provocative statements.

Those who pelted my convoy during my campaigns in the Northern part of the country were ignorant. If INEC conducts the election poorly, it will be on my head."

Hate speeches and political violence by both opposition and ruling party .

The president explained that "some people" get carried away by the political play and exude these violence. He blamed aides and associates of key political actors for the hate speeches and political violence. He did not categorically condemn the hate speeches or war threats or politically-motivated violence.

"We will make sure things are done so that nobody goes to war," the president said when he pressed for categorical stance on the war threats by ex-militants should he lose the elections. He argues journalists have responsibility to ensure the unity of the country.

On why he frequents churches for campaign but never visited mosques:

GEJ responded by saying he does not receive invitations from Muslims like from the churches.

If election would hold should the military fails to eliminate Boko Haram in six weeks:

The presidents said the new dates are sacrosanct and a new president would be sworn in by May 29. He argued that the goal is not to totally eliminate Boko Haram but to make adequate security arrangement for the election.

Missing Chibok girls:

Questioning moves to the issue of the president's perceived weak especially as it relates to the missing Chibok girls. "Just give us some times," he said, responding to questions seeking the state of the girls at the moment. The president is optimistic the girls would be rescued with the new military collaboration with neighbouring countries. "I believe the story would be different in a few weeks," the president said. "We would recover them alive."

I believe the story of Chibok Girls will get better in the next few weeks, but don't quote me. We are working with our neighbours, we will comb the whole of that place Partying after abduction? It's unfortunate that people play politics with the issue of Chibok girls. It's not like that elsewhere. In other countries, political boundaries collapse in the face of terror attacks, not so in Nigeria.

With regards to his weakened political base, the president said "in politics, there are only permanent interests."

The president is asked to clarify his previous comments that "stealing is not corruption":

He said he made that statement quoting the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Dahiru Mustafa, who explained to him that his analysis of corruption cases in Nigeria showed that most of such cases were theft. He argued that referring to stealing as corruption minimizes the crime. "Ole (thief in Yoruba) should be called Ole and given that treatment," the president said.

"Let us communicate properly. The word corruption, we have abused it."

"It is not actually my quotation. I quoted the former Chief Justice," as he continues to defend his previous comments on corruption and stealing.

We have convicted more corrupt people than ever. It is just that Nigerians are confused on what the difference is between stealing and corruption.

The state of the N1 billion security loan and funds confiscated in South Africa.

He said the government have not started disbursing the N1 billion loan. With regards to the .3 million arms money seized in South Africa, he said the money does not belong to Nigeria, technically. He added that the matter was in court.

The president is asked if he would hand over if he loses the next election.

"If the elections are conducted and I lose, of course, another president would be sworn in," the president said. He argued that Nigeria is more important than any individual.

The president is asked what he will do differently if he wins.

He said most of the problem he had in the past is related to perception and not concrete. He did not really say what he would do differently.

The president is asked to comment on his opponent for the 2015 general election, Buhari.

The president responded it was an unfair question. He however mentioned that he has recieved more criticism that Muhammadu Buhari on social media.

The president is asked if he has confidence in INEC as presidently constituted.

He answered saying he appointed everyone at the management level of INEC.

Closing Remarks:

In his closing remarks, president Jonathan assured Nigerians that elections would be conducted and a new president sworn in on May 29. He argued that it is better for INEC to conduct an election everyone would be happy with.

Chat ended 20:19, 11th February, 2015.

http://www.forumspotz.net/full-text-president-jonathan-8th-presidential-media-chat-today/

Thank you for this; I missed the interview.

to hell with buhari, wolf in sheep clothing

I like where he said " By constitution, I have the power to sack who I appointed"

I thing Jonathan is just too democratic. People like Oshiomole, Tinubu, OBJ, even Buhari will not tolerate all what he is tolerating.

You people knew what happen to critics of OBJ right. Ask Edris Aldukarim, he just said Nigeria jaga jaga and he went on exile for years until the next government entered. And do not also forget those politicians who opposed him ended up in jail like Bode George just because of third tenure saga.

The problem is Nigerians forget things easily and that's why we keep celebrating thieves and corrupt people once they say what we want to hear and forget they did worst during their reign.

Nigeria be wise and vote wisely.. GEJ 2019

Thanks for the update. #marchonGEJtill2019

garyaustin:
Thanks for the update. #marchonGEJtill2019

Joseph the dreamer you Better wake up and start packing your bags and start preparing on how you will follow GEJ back to bayelsa to go and be doing fish business after we use our vote to vote him out from office.....I can even help you with "ghana must go"bags if you need any

He failed to answer the niger delta militants' threat. He snubbed it and regarded it as political propaganda. What a clueless specie

God's grace president GEJ. God dat placed u as president knows wat he is doing.

2015 election: God's will be done

God Bless you Mr. President. We May not know how humble,amiable & the good intentions you have for this country untill after your tenure that God permitted.

JONATHAN.. Its 6 weeks and something must great must happen b4 then..

Of what benefit?A president that can't give us the definition of corruption but start manipulating things.

You can't wake a person who is pretending to be asleep.


#VoteOutClueless
#VoteInGMB
#GodBlessNigeria

GEJ responded by saying he does not receive
invitations from Muslims like from the churches.


#GEJtill 2019

we have convicted more corrupt people than ever. It is just that Nigerians are confused on what the difference is between stealing and corruption

Is it only me that finds this paragraph funny

GEJ till buhari becomes young

Ok

DailyTimes:
ALSO READ: 22 Things President Jonathan Said During The Presidential Media Chat

K

Nigeria We Hail Thee

What do i want to write self.

Corrrrrrrect!!!!!!
O peaceful one!!!!
Hallelujah! Your ATTORNEY GENERAL did not die in his house like when OBJ, the MONUMENTAL FAILURE ruled Nigeria from THE WILD WILD WEST!

*The president said he doesn't get invitation from muslims? That's sentimental, as the president of a secular state you should treat every religion equally. If possible, visit the Ogboni and traditionalists.

* I don't understand he can't just accept stealing is corruption, I don't care who he quoted whatsoever. If Wole Soyinka of all people said corruption isn't stealing, I will invite him for a debate. Listen mr. President, stealing is a subset of corruption.

* And u have the constitutional power to sack Jega, you must be aware it's with the approval from national assembly.

'It's either a ballot or bullet' come March28!

Buhari is close to his grave, I pity him. Just as asiwaju of corruption used and dump ribadu, tinubu willl use and dump him. And for dose yorubaz who wants buhari to contest so dat wen he dies a yoruba man will rule again all planned by tinubu, just knya selling ya birth right cos a time will come wen ya will nid votes from south and east and ya will get non. Tinubu won't be here forever, he will soon die and dose shouting change will pay for it. Sai jona

Is this the same media chat I listened to

By the way mr president, u nominated not appointed. You have the power to nominate not appoint. If whoever you nominated is not approved....oga u will go shopping again. So make we hear word!

Juxt by the way.[question 4 the
day]
People stone thieves but they don't
stone corrupt people.
Mr president was stoned in Bauchi.
What does dat imply?!

Respect my president.

Typing

Nairalane:
J

Jerry

I didn't follow the presidential media chat. But if what is up here is what really transpired yesterday, then I don't see the flop in this.

My friends who Buhari called me yesterday to mock the president that he flopped in the chat and I could not respond because I didnt watch it.

All these Sai BuHarists, there is nothing the president does that is not seen as a flop or targeted towards them.

#March4Buhari

msmon:
K

Kite

Jonathsn is uncouth.

The question about Buhari wasnt an unfair one or asked to trip him up.

He could have shown himself to be gracuous and a statesman by replying with a diplomatic answer along the lines below:

"General Buhari is a fine gentleman who was once the president of this our great country. He displays his love for this country at our regular council of state meetings. We represnt different political parties but one thing we agree on is moving the country forward."