Presidential Media Chat: 15 Questions For Mr. Jonathan

Premium Times

Published: May 4,2014

President Jonathan during a media chat in February 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan will this evening host a Media Chat to be broadcast live on radio and TV stations across the country.
The president is expected to respond to questions on a number of topical national issues from journalists selected by his handlers.
Mr. Jonathan’s spokesperson, Reuben Abati, said in a statement that the Presidential Media Chat would begin at 7:00 p.m.
The presidency has in the past promised to entertain questions by telephone calls, sms, and via social media.
This time, the presidency has said interested members of the public could send in their question via twitter to the account @mediachatng1.
In case you are able to reach the president on the programme, we suggest you put the questions below to him, in addition to others you might have.
We also urge the journalists, who will interview the president, to consider asking him some of the questions suggested below.

1. It is now three weeks since over 250 schoolgirls were kidnapped in Borno State with the government still unable to ascertain the number of girls kidnapped or more importantly to free them. Can you tell Nigerians how much time the government needs to ascertain the number and identity of girls kidnapped and most importantly when the girls would be freed?
2. There have been reports that the government is negotiating with the kidnappers to free the girls. Is the government willing to pay ransom to terrorists to free the girls or what is the government willing to do to free them?
3. Borno, like Yobe and Adamawa, has been under state of emergency for about a year. Despite this, killings, arson, abduction and other crimes happen virtually everyday with over 1,500 killed in 2014 alone, according to Human Rights Watch.  Would you say the emergency rule has been effective, or would it be right for Nigerians to say the federal government’s best efforts is not good enough to secure lives and property?
4. There have been debates on various sides on the state of emergency in the North-East. Does the Federal Government plan to extend the state of emergency in those three states?
5. About 24 hours after at least 75 people were killed in a bomb explosion in Abuja, you were seen dancing at a political function in Kano. What informed your decision? Do you have remorse for your action? Would you act in a similar manner if such happens again?
6. The insecurity in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, and other North-Central states have worsened in the past few years, particularly during your administration; with hundreds killed and thousands displaced. What would you say is the cause of this? Is the government not simply failing in securing the lives and property of Nigerians?
7. Kidnapping for ransom in the South-South including in your home state of Bayelsa has worsened. Several people, including your own relatives, have been victims. What really is the government doing about the growing insecurity in Nigeria?
8. You have ordered schools and offices shut in Abuja for the World Economic Forum for Africa event. In Davos, New York and other places where bigger or similar events usually hold, kids are never denied schooling, neither are offices shut. What informed your thinking and what example do you think your administration is setting by doing this? By the way, how much is the hosting of the WEF costing Nigeria?
9. The Federal Government claims the economy is strong and stable, with inflation rate at single digit, while external reserves remain robust. But the impact of all this is hardly felt by the people, with unemployment rate still very high. Why is it difficult to translate the ‘economic successes’ to job creation?
10. At least two groups have made demands for evidence of the 1.6 million jobs that your administration claims to have generated in 2013. No record has been provided by the Finance Ministry, statistics’ bureau and others.  Can you tell Nigerians now that you as President has evidence of that amount of jobs and when will you provide the public with evidence of the job created?
11. There have been at least five government reports (KPMG, House of Reps, Nuhu Ribadu, Aig-Imokhuede, and NEITI) that have shown that Nigeria’s petroleum ministry and its subsidiaries are either corruptly or inefficiently managed. Why does it appear impossible for you to remove the petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, despite these reports?
12. The House of Representatives has recommended the cancellation of OPL 245 sale to Shell and AGIP; and the investigation and prosecution of all officials, public and private involved in the fraudulent transaction. You too were named as beneficiary of that monumental scam. At what point did you as president get involved in the Malabu OPL 245 deal, and when will you implement the House resolutions?
13. The federal government in December shared Nigeria’s ecological funds to 17 states whose governors are loyal to you. In fact, you reportedly ordered that the N34 billion naira be shared to only states whose governors are either in the PDP or loyal to you like Ondo and Anambra. Are you saying none of the 16 APC controlled states deserved shares of the ecological fund?
14. Have you approved an extension for the National Conference? Are you bothered that the APC and NBA boycotted the conference? Should Nigerians really expect any tangible result from the conference?
15. It is now exactly three months since suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi, revealed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC,  failed to account for $20billion oil money. What are you doing to find that missing money?