Why Jonathan accused Buhari of forming parallel govt

Why Jonathan accused Buhari of forming parallel govt

Thursday, April 30, 2015 2:53 pm


A Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja

A Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja

TheNEWS publishes the ‘contentious’ terms of reference of the 19-man Transition Committee of President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, that made President Goodluck Jonathan to accuse his successor of forming a parallel government.

The All Progressives Congress replied today that nothing in the terms suggests any plan to form a parallel government, except that the party and its President-elect need clear answers to a lot of issues.

But Minister of National Planning, Abubakar Suleiman who spoke yesterday at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting did not agree.

Sulaiman, who is the chairman of the Technical Subcommittee of the outgoing government’s transition committee, said such utterances by Buhari and his team were suggestive that the current government was either being stampeded or intimidated.

He said, “We did receive from the incoming government’s transition committee some terms of reference which we looked at critically and council did agree that the President remains the current head of government of this country.

“The incoming government should avoid creating a parallel government while the government is still on.

“We take exception to some utterances and some of the terms of reference that look as if the current government is being stampeded or intimidated.

“Council frowned on most of the statements, most of the provocations and council members are advised to work in line with the terms of reference of the current government.

“Council members are also told that the terms of reference as formatted by our transition committee should be strictly complied with.

“When the incoming government takes over government, they can come out with their programmes; they can come out with their own agenda and they can decide to come out with policies in the way they feel like.

“This government remains resolute to the various programmes and projects it is pursuing and it will continue to do that until the morning of May 29.”

When asked to mention some of the terms of reference of the incoming government’s transition committee that the outgoing government felt uncomfortable with, Sulaiman asked journalists to go and do their investigation.

Here are the terms of reference of Buhari’s Transition Committee headed by veteran public servant, Ahmed Joda

a. To develop a clear framework for liaison with the out-going
Administration for purposes of a smooth hand-over/take-over.

b. To receive hand-over documents from Ministries, Departments and
Agencies and itemise the most important or most urgent issues
confronting the in-coming government.

c. To review and make preliminary assessment of the balance sheet of
government with particular emphasis on

(1). The status of assets and liabilities of government.

(2). Cash flow position of the government.

(3). Quantum of public domestic and external debt of government and
their deployment.

(4). Government’s outstanding contractual obligations and its ability
to meet such obligations.

(5). Status of implementation of capital projects.

c. Undertake a preliminary assessment of the security challenges
facing the country and the

(1). Counter-insurgency measures taken by the government thus far.

(2). Counter policy measures being implemented in the Niger Delta to
deal with unrest and major economic crimes in the area. In particular,
the status of the Amnesty Programme.

(3). Readiness of the Police and other national security and
intelligence agencies in addressing threats to law and order

d. Provide a brief over-view of CBN, NNPC, NCC, Customs and FIRS.

e. Suggest “quick fixes” which will result in tangible, visible and
practical measures so that CHANGE will be seen after 30 days, after
100 days, after 6 months of the Administration taking office.

f. Make any other observations which in view of the Committee would be
helpful to the transition and take-off of the new Administration.

g. Report back to the President-elect in two weeks.


Join The Conversation

One Comment

  • Taslem Tiger says:

    prof Tam David West on that committee is scary to them, because he will ask the cutting questions and as a former minister of petroleum, you cant bullshit him..he knows what you are talking about

  • What do you think?

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.