President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday confirmed that his decision to
sack his erstwhile Minister of Youth Development, Inuwa Abdulkadir, was
based on the latter’s mishandling of the National Youth Council of
Nigeria’s elections in Makurdi and Minna which resulted in the
factionalisation of the council.
THE PUNCH had reported
exclusively on Tuesday that investigations showed that the minister must
have been sacked on Monday among other reasons because of the
allegation of imposition of a candidate at a recent election of the
NYCN.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on
Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President said he was “very
displeased” by the former minister’s action.
He said Abdulkadir’s failure to provide
appropriate leadership towards open and transparent youth council
elections was unacceptable to him and his administration.
He said because he was committed to
ensuring that the Nigerian youth were given the best possible upbringing
and orientation, he expected all officials of his administration to
exhibit greater rectitude and sensitivity on issues related to youth
development.
The President added that he expected his
appointees to comport themselves at all times in a manner worthy of
emulation by Nigerian youths.
He however denied media report (not The PUNCH)
that he sacked the former minister for failing to ensure that his (the
President’s) candidate emerged as president of the NYCN.
Describing the report as baseless,
Jonathan said he regarded all Nigerian youth as his wards and
constituents and there was no reason for him to prefer one candidate
over others.
The statement read, “We have noted with
regret the several false speculations in the media yesterday (Tuesday)
on the reason for the termination of the appointment of the former
Minister of Youth Development, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir by President
Goodluck Jonathan.
“While many media outlets erroneously
attributed the minister’s sacking to his disloyalty or closeness to a
particular governor or governors said to be opposed to the President,
the most disingenuous and malicious speculation was by a national
newspaper which claimed that Alhaji Abdulkadir was fired for ‘failing to
ensure that a pro-Jonathan candidate emerged as president of the NYCN.’
“We wish to assure the general public
that nothing could be farther from the truth. President Jonathan regards
all Nigerian youth as his wards and constituents. Claims that he had a
preferred candidate in the NYCN elections are completely baseless and
without justification as there was absolutely no reason for him to
prefer one candidate over others.
“President Jonathan remains sincerely
and unwaveringly committed to doing all within his powers to promote the
credibility and integrity of the electoral process at all levels in the
country.
“He firmly believes that a culture of
free, fair and credible election must be constantly nurtured and
encouraged amongst Nigerian youth and all other sections of the country.
“In point of fact, it was Alhaji
Abdulkadir’s regrettable deviation from this presidential commitment in
the management of the NYCN elections that led to the decision to relieve
him of his appointment as Minister of Youth Development.
“President Jonathan was very displeased
with the mishandling of the NYCN elections in Makurdi and Minna by the
Ministry of Youth Development which resulted in the unfortunate
factionalisation of the youth council.
“The President found the ministry’s
failure to provide appropriate leadership towards open and transparent
youth council elections unacceptable.
“President Jonathan is sincerely
committed to doing everything possible to ensure that the Nigerian
youth, on whom the country’s aspirations for a bright and prosperous
future depend, are given the best possible upbringing and orientation.”
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