Governors abusing me, not helping their states – Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan has told
state governors who cast aspersion on him and the Federal Government
that such action will not help the development of their states.
He said on Tuesday that the best thing
for state governors to do was to take their cue from Governor Peter Obi
of Anambra State by ensuring cordial relationship with him and the
Federal Government.
Jonathan gave the advice while receiving
a delegation of Anambra State indigenes who were at the Presidential
Villa, Abuja to thank him for the support he gave to Obi, the outgoing
governor of the state.
Obi will hand over to the governor-elect, Chief Willie Obiano, on March 17.
He said unlike some unnamed politicians
who preferred to fight him, the outgoing Anambra State governor
cooperated with his government and played active role in the Economic
Management Team.
He said, “Peter Obi worked very hard as a governor, very friendly to the government.
“He is a member of our Economic
Management Team and an honorary adviser to the President on Finance
and
Commerce and he worked very hard, attended all the meetings and made
very meaningful contributions.
“Even the day we announced that he might
be leaving, the suggestion was that we should still keep him even if he
is no longer the governor of Anambra State. That is the relationship we
had. I have to thank Governor Peter Obi for that good relationship.
“A number of politicians feel that the
best thing to do is to be abusing Mr. President, abusing the Federal
Government and so on.
“You are elected to develop your state, I
think the best thing is to have good relationship with the centre,
whether you have a pin or you don’t have but one day it will come.
Wearing boxing gloves, jumping into the boxing ring to face Mr.
President does not help the development of any state.”
He promised that he would extend the same hand of friendship he had with Obi to his successor.
Jonathan announced that the ground-breaking of the second Niger Bridge would hold on March 10.
He explained that the event was delayed
because of his directive that the project should not start until the
finances were worked out.
He said, “On the second Niger Bridge, I
remember I said we would make sure that we start that project before
Peter Obi steps aside.
“The Finance Minister and the Works
Minister must work out details so that if we are going for the
ground-breaking ceremony, we know that the work will not stop until the
project is completed and God willing that is what it is going to be.
“We have agreed to come on Monday, the
10th of this month. We will quickly do the ground-breaking, I think it
is about 11 am on Monday before we rush back to Abuja to inaugurate the
National Conference delegates.”
Obi, on his part, confirmed that it
would be difficult for any state governor to make any meaningful impact
without the support of the Federal Government.
“It will be difficult for any governor
to make any meaningful impact without the support of the Federal
Government. I have served under three Presidents and I can say the
difference. Continue to support the governor-elect. Anambra is your home
and we shall continue to stand by you,” the outgoing governor said.
