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Revision as of 02:11, 12 April 2013 by All Hallow's Wraith (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| Goodluck Jonathan | |
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 Jonathan in January 2013, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. | |
| President of Nigeria | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 6 May 2010 Acting: 9 February 2010 – 6 May 2010 | |
| Vice President | Namadi Sambo |
| Preceded by | Umaru Yar'Adua |
| Vice President of Nigeria | |
| In office 29 May 2007 – 6 May 2010 | |
| President | Umaru Yar'Adua |
| Preceded by | Atiku Abubakar |
| Succeeded by | Namadi Sambo |
| Governor of Bayelsa | |
| In office 9 December 2005 – 28 May 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Diepreye Alamieyeseigha |
| Succeeded by | Timipre Sylva |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan (1957-11-20) 20 November 1957 (age 67) Ogbia, Nigeria |
| Political party | People's Democratic Party |
| Spouse | Patience Jonathan |
| Alma mater | University of Port Harcourt |
| Profession | Zoologist |
Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, GCFR, BNER, GCON (born 20 November 1957) is the 14th Head of State and current President of Nigeria. Prior to his role as President, he served as Governor of Bayelsa State and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Jonathan is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).
Early life and education
Jonathan was born in what is now Bayelsa State to a family of canoe makers. Jonathan holds a B.S. degree in Zoology in which he attained Second Class Honours. He holds an M.Sc. degree in Hydrobiology and Fisheries biology, and a Ph.D. degree in Zoology from the University of Port Harcourt. He worked as an education inspector, lecturer, and environmental-protection officer. He entered politics in 1998.
Gubernatorial career
Jonathan joined the PDP in 1998 to run for Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, his home state, and was elected in 1999. His tenure was reportedly quiet until when, in 2005, his predecessor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, was impeached after being charged with money laundering, making Jonathan the acting Governor.
Vice-Presidency
In 2007 Jonathan was selected to run as a vice-presidential candidate alongside Umaru Yar'Adua. An Al-Jazeera profile suggested that his selection fell into place "after other more influential politicians from the region were tainted by an anti-corruption investigation." It was important that Jonathan, a Christian from the south, be coupled with Yar'Adua, a Muslim from the north, to avoid conflict.
As Vice-President, Jonathan was able to negotiate an agreement with the militants in the Niger Delta, who ceased to fight as part of a government amnesty.
Presidency
Succession
Jonathan took over as acting president on 10 February 2010 following Umaru Yar'Adua falling ill. While acting president, Jonathan was responsible for a minor cabinet reshuffle.
President Umaru Yar'Adua died on 5 May 2010 and Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as Yar'Adua's successor on 6 May, becoming Nigeria's 14th Head of State. On 9 February 2010, a motion from the Nigerian Senate on confirmed the powers to Goodluck Johnathan to act as President of the federation. He cited anti-corruption, power and electoral reforms as focuses of his administration. He stated that he came to office under "very sad and unusual circumstances".
On 18 May 2010, the National Assembly approved Jonathan's nomination of former Kaduna State governor, Namadi Sambo, for the position of Vice President.
It was suggested that Nigeria's groups of powerbrokers agreed to let him become acting president because he would not contest the looming elections and was not seen as a threat.
2011 election
On 15 September 2010, Jonathan announced his candidacy for the 2011 on Facebook, making him the first Nigerian president to do such via social media.
Jonathan faced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Sarah Jubril in the bid for the PDP primary. Jonathan was declared the winner and received the nomination on 13 January 2011.
On 18 April, Jonathan was declared the winner of the election, receiving 59% of the votes. His victory was followed by violence in the north over claims of vote rigging. On 24 April, it was estimated that there were up to 1,000 politically-charged killings since November 2010, a total that Chidi Odinkalu of the Open Society Justice Initiative said hadn't been seen since the 1960s and 1980s and usually resulted in the overthrow of incumbent governments. The election was praised by international observers as the fairest in the country's existence. Jonathan was sworn in on 29 May 2011.
Domestic policy
When taking office, Goodluck Jonathan pledged to focus on the issues of corruption and violence in the Niger Delta, his home region.
On 2 August 2010 Jonathan launched 'Roadmap for Power Sector Reform‘, achieving stable electricity in Nigeria.
In January 2013, Jonathan reportedly promised $4 million to assist in cleaning up villages that have been effected by a lead poisoning outbreak. Over 400 children have died and Human Rights Watch said that releasing the funds “could be lifesaving for countless children.”
On 13 December 2011, the 2012 fiscal year's budget removed any provisions for fuel subsidy. According to a poll carried out by the Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE- Nigeria), 80% of Nigerians opposed the plan to remove fuel subsidy.
On 1 January 2012, the Jonathan administration announced the start of a controversial plan to end fuel subsidies. Many prominent Nigerians have spoken out against the removal of fuel subsidy by the Jonathan administration. Former Petroleum Minister Professor Tam David-West has spoken out and expressed concern that the planned removal of fuel subsidy will squeeze the economy, increase inflation, and hurt both businesses and the public. General Yakubu Gowon, a former military Head of State, has warned the government that the country's infrastructure should be revived before fuel subsidy removal steps are taken.
Following the The Nigeria Labour Congress' warning that the country faces many strikes, the country unions followed up with strikes that were matched with civil protests from 9–13 January 2012. Protesters and groups called for President Jonathan to resign over the removal of fuel subsidies. After five days of national protests and strikes, on 16 January, Jonathan announced that the pump price of petroleum would be 97 naira per liter.
Jonathan has backed Nigerians using birth control methods, saying that adults should only have as many children as they can afford. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, and the United Nations estimates the population of Nigeria could grow from 160m to 400m by 2050. Jonathan acknowledged the difficulty with birth control for many Nigerians, saying that it is difficult to tell deeply religious people to "reject God's gifts." The position has reportedly sparked a religious debate with both Muslims and Christians.
- Renaming the University of Lagos
In May 2012, President Jonathan changed the name of the University of Lagos, renaming it the Moshood Abiola University in honour of the late MKO Abiola. The action drew attention from critics—among them were pro-Abiola advocates and parties involved with the university. Some critics cited that the President did not submit an appropriate bill to the legislature for the change; that the University's brand name should not be tampered with. The UNILAG Alumni Association commented that although they do not have prejudice against MKO Abiola, they were concerned "that neither the Governing Council nor the University Senate nor any other stakeholder was consulted before the change was announced." Bola Tinubu congratulated Jonathan for taking action, but urged him to "do it right", adding that "we must be careful not to localise or sectionalise MKO". The President has attempted to regularize the renaming of the school by submitting a bill for an amendment of the University's establishing law to the legislature.
National security
On 26 August 2011, after the UN building in Abuja was bombed by Boko Haram, Jonathan announced that it was not merely an attack on Nigeria, but on the international community. He told reporters that "we would work together with the UN and other world leaders to ensure that terrorism is brought under control." In early 2012, Jonathan expressed his belief that, for the first time, Boko Haram sympathizers are part of his government and its related securities agencies. In response to a Muslim leader's suggestion that Boko Haram be granted amnesty to end the violence, Jonathan said that his government can't grant this because it is unclear who the members are and what they want.
In response to the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta's attack on a oil pipeline on 4 February 2012 in Bayelsa, the Senate President David Mark stated that the security situation in the country is "intolerable".
During his South African magistrate court trial on 2 May 2012, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) former leader Henry Okah came out and insisted that President Jonathan masterminded bomb attacks. He told the court that President Jonathan and his aides organised the October 1, 2010 independence day bomb attacks in Abuja in a desperate political strategy to demonize political opponents, including the former military President General Ibrahim Babangida, and to win popular sympathy ahead of the 2011 elections. Jonathan denied the allegations of terrorism in media statement issued on 2 May 2012. The Presidency also expressed no interest in commenting further at the time, but expressed plans to "make a full representation on the matter to the court when the trial opens."
Foreign policy
Jonathan cited encouraging foreign investment to spur domestic growth and create jobs for Nigerians as a major focus of his administration's foreign policy. He stressed the need for a connection between foreign policy to domestic policy while placing a greater emphasis on economic diplomacy.
Image
Jonathan is seen as lacking the charisma of many previous Nigerian leaders, having been described as having an "underwhelming personality" by a former US Ambassador. Samuel Amadi, director of policy at the Good Governance Group, noted that Jonathan " not obsessed with power...e doesn’t have the usual swagger of Nigerian politicians.”
On 29 June 2010, Jonathan launched a Facebook page in accordance with his promise to interact more with Nigerians.
Personal life
Jonathan and his wife Patience have two children. He is a Christian. He comes from the Ijaw.
References
- ^ Lawson Heyford, "Jonathan: A Colossus at 49", The Source (Lagos), 11 December 2006
- ^ Profile: Goodluck Jonathan
- ^ "Profile: Goodluck Jonathan". BBC News. 6 May 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
- "Jonathan Redeploys Aondoakaa".
- President,Commander-In-Chief.aspx News Agency of Nigeria story on newly sworn President Jonathan
- "Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan 'is acting president'". BBC News. BBC. February 25, 2010. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- "Nigeria swears in new president". Al-Jazeera. 6 May 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
- Punch Newspaper "NASS confirms Sambo as vice president" http://www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201005185541038
- "National Assembly confirms Sambo as Vice President", Liberty News
- Webster, George (1 October 2010). "Goodluck Jonathan: The Facebook president". CNN. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- "Goodluck Jonathan Defeats Atiku In PDP Presidential Primary".
- ^ "Goodluck Jonathan sworn in as Nigerian president". The Guardian. 29 May 2011. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- http://ribadu2011.com/
- CNN report on the 2011 general election in Nigeria
- Nossiter, Adam (24 April 2011). "Election Fuels Deadly Clashes in Nigeria". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
- Sachs, Jeffrey (30 May 2011). "Nigeria's Historic Opportunity". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
- "Goodluck Jonathan". The New York Times. 19 April 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
- Roadmap for Power Sector Reform
- McNeil, Jr., Donald (29 January 2013). "Nigeria: Money Promised to Clean Up Lead That Killed Hundreds of Children". New York Times. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
- "Nigeria's President Removes Petrol Subsidy".
- "80% Of Nigerians Oppose Subsidy Removal - Pollsters".
- "Nigeria fuel subsidy end raises protest fears". BBC News. 1 January 2012.
- "Buhari to Jonathan - Leave Subsidy, Tackle Graft".
- "IBB: Deregulation Ill-timed".
- "Subsidy removal will choke economy, says David-West".
- "Gowon to Jonathan: don't remove subsidy now".
- "Protests In Lagos, Ibadan Over Removal Of Subsidy".
- "Subsidy Removal - CNPP Calls for Jonathan's Resignation".
- "Nigeria Cuts Fuel Prices After Strike, Protests".
- "Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan urges birth control". BBC. 27 June 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
- Look, Anne (28 June 2012). "Nigerian President's Call for Birth Control Sparks Debate". Voice of Africa. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
- Soyinka, Wole. "Goodluck Jonathan's Gift Horse By Wole Soyinka". Daily Post. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
- Babalola, Afe. "Renaming UNILAG is illegal and unconstitutional (2)". Punch. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
- Various (1 June 2012). "Tinubu, Fayemi, others reject UNILAG renaming". Punch. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
- Sahara Reporters (30 May 2012). "UNILAG Alumni Association rejects institution's name change by Jonathan". Information Nigeria. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
- "Nigerian leader vows to fight terrorism after UN attack". BBC News. 28 August 2011.
- "Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan: Officials back Boko Haram". BBC. 8 January 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- "Nigeria's president rejects Boko Haram amnesty call". BBC. 7 March 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- "Nigerian Militant Group MEND Says It Attacked Eni Pipeline".
- "Nigeria's security situation 'intolerable': senate president".
- ""Jonathan Begged Me To Blame North For October 1 Blasts", Henry Okah Claims".
- "Okah Lied over Oct 2010 Bombing".
- "Jonathan denies allegations that he masterminded Independence Day bombings".
- Bello, Muhammad (28 September 2012). "Jonathan: Economy Key to Nigeria's Foreign Policy". This Day Live. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
- "President Jonathan on Review of Nigeria's Foreign Policy".
- "Jonathan directs a review of Nigeria's foreign policy". This Day NG. 17 May 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
- NOSSITER, ADAM (19 February 2010). "An Accidental Leader Stirs Hopes in Nigeria". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
- Facebook fan-page
- "Profile: Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria's unlikely leader". BBC. 22 February 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
Further reading
- Ayoade, John A., and Adeoye A. Akinsanya, eds. Nigeria's Critical Election, 2011 (Lexington Books; 2012)
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byDiepreye Alamieyeseigha | Governor of Bayelsa State 2005–2007 |
Succeeded byTimipre Sylva |
| Preceded byUmaru Yar'Adua | President of Nigeria 2010–present |
Incumbent |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded byUmaru Yar'Adua | People's Democratic Party presidential nominee 2011 Won |
Succeeded byMost recent |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded byUmaru Yar'Adua | Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States 2010–2012 |
Succeeded byAlassane Ouattara |
| Heads of state of Nigeria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Queen (1960–1963) |  | |
| President of the First Republic (1963–1966) | ||
| Military regime (1966–1979) | ||
| President of the Second Republic (1979–1983) | ||
| Military regime (1983–1999) | ||
| President of the Fourth Republic (from 1999) | ||
| *Civilian; headed transition to abortive Third Republic | ||
| Governors of Bayelsa State | |
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| Vice presidents of Nigeria | ||
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| † military | ||
| Cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan | |
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| The Cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan which was formed during his time as Acting President, on 6 April 2010, is shown below. Ministers of State are not shown. | |
| Agriculture |
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| Aviation |
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| Commerce & Industry |
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| Culture & Tourism |
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| Defence |
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| Education |
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| Environment |
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| FCT |
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| Finance |
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| Foreign Affairs |
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| Health |
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| Information & Communications |
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| Interior |
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| Justice |
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| Labour & Productivity |
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| Lands & Urban Development |
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| Mines & Steel Development |
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| National Planning Commission |
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| National Sports Commission |
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| Niger Delta Affairs |
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| Petroleum Resources |
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| Police Affairs |
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| Power |
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| Science & Technology |
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| Special Duties |
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| Transport |
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| Women Affairs |
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| Works |
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| Youth Development |
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| See also Cabinet of President Umaru Yar'Adua | |
| Heads of state of OPEC member states | |
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