Goodluck Jonathan

Goodluck Jonathan
President of Nigeria
Incumbent
Assumed office 9 February 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	(1957-11-20) 20 November 1957 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.

He was Governor of Bayelsa State from 9 December 2005 to 28 May 2007, and was sworn in as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 29 May 2007. Jonathan is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP). On 13 January 2010, a federal court handed him the power to carry out state affairs while President Umaru Yar'Adua received medical treatment in a Saudi Arabian hospital. A motion from the Nigerian Senate on 9 February 2010 confirmed these powers to act as President, in recognition of his opinion. On 24 February 2010, Yar'Adua returned to Nigeria, but Jonathan continued as acting president. Upon Yar'Adua's death on 5 May 2010, Jonathan succeeded to the Presidency, taking the oath of office on 6 May 2010.

Early life, education and personal life

Jonathan was born in Otueke in Ogbia Local Government Area of the then Eastern Region, later Rivers State, now Bayelsa State to a family of canoe makers. Jonathan holds a B.Sc. degree in Zoology in which he attained Second Class Honours, Upper Division. He also holds an M.Sc. degree in Hydrobiology and Fisheries biology, and a Ph.D. degree in Zoology from the University of Port Harcourt. After obtaining his degree, he worked as an education inspector, lecturer, and environmental-protection officer, until he decided to enter politics in 1998.

Jonathan and his wife, Patience, have two children. He is a member of the Ijaw ethnic group.

Presidency

Jonathan (fifth from right) standing with other world leaders at a meeting of the Economic Community of West African States in July 2010.

Former President Umaru Yar'Adua died on May 5, 2010. Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as Yar'Adua's successor on the following day, becoming Nigeria's 14th Head of State, to serve until the next election, in 2011, at which time he could elect to run again, which he has done. Upon taking office, he cited anti-corruption, power and electoral reform 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 President Jonathan's nomination of former Kaduna State governor, Namadi Sambo, an architect, for the position of Vice President.

On June 29, 2010, President Goodluck Jonathan launched a Facebook fan-page; The president said that he launched his page in fulfillment of a promise he made earlier in the year to interact more with Nigerians.

On the 26th of August, 2010 President Goodluck Jonathan launched the most comprehensive plan which it tagged ‘Roadmap for Power Sector Reform’ aimed at restructuring the power sector and achieving stable electricity in the country. The President in his speech, identified the factors that affected reliable electricity service delivery to include the absence of a sustained and deliberately deployed long term power development strategy, under exploitation of the nation’s abundant energy endowments and the absence of adequate implementation of reforms.

On the 15th of September, 2010, President Jonathan, in a message on his Facebook Page, said he had finally decided to run for the presidency after wide consultations with various organizations across the country. This single action of his made him the first ever sitting President to declare his re-election bid via social media.

On the 20th of December, 2010 President Goodluck Jonathan, flagged off the national book campaign tagged 'Bring Back The Book', and presented his book, My Friends and I: conversations on policy and governance via Facebook to the public. He declared that the fight to bring back the book should be supported by all Nigerians, as the project provided Nigeria a sure path to technological growth. He further said that his government was encouraging a culture of catch-them-young so as to secure the future of the children.

On 14 January 2011, President Jonathan was elected as the Presidential flag-bearer of the ruling People's Democratic Party for the 2011 Presidential election by 77.7% of valid votes cast. He faced other candidates in the April 16, 2011 general election, including Mallam Nuhu Ribadu of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Muhammadu Buhari of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). On April 18, 2011, Goodluck Jonathan was declared the winner of the 2011 Nigerian presidential election. His election victory was followed by violence in Northern part of the country over alleged rigging.

Controversies

World Cup controversy

After the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, in which the Nigerian team failed to advance beyond group stage, Jonathan decreed a ban on international games for the football team. FIFA objected to the president's decision and threatened to evict Nigeria from the association. Subsequently he lifted the ban.

Controversy over Ministerial Nominations and Appointments 2011

In 2011, the Nigerian President's failure to nominate and appoint at least 36 indigenes, one for each of the 36 states is in breach of article 147 subsection (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999: "...the President shall appoint at least one Minister from each State, who shall be an indigene of such State".

The President can be taken to constitutional court in Nigeria for noncompliance with Article 147(3) of the constitution.

Removal of fuel subsidy on 1st January 2012

On Tuesday 13 December 2011, the 2012 budget which was presented to the Nigerian National Assembly by President Jonathan removed any provisions for fuel subsidy. The issue of fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria has always been a controversial topic. According to a poll carried out by the Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE- Nigeria) showed that 80 per cent of Nigerians opposed the plan to remove fuel subsidy.

On Sunday 1st January 2012, the Jonathan administration ignored the concerns of the majority of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian National Assembly which has the power to pass the budget by announcing 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. According to Professor Tam David-West, the former Petroleum Minister, the planned removal of fuel subsidy will squeeze the economy, increase inflation, hurt businesses and the public.

A former military Head of State and a former Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources, General Buhari urged President Jonathan not to remove fuel subsidy and tackle corruption.

General Yakubu Gowon another former military Head of State has warned the government that the country's infrastructure should be revived before fuel subsidy removal steps are taken.

Former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, joined millions of Nigerians protesting against the removal of fuel subsidy by the Jonathan administration, saying that the action is ill-timed.

Nigeria was shutdown by nationwide strikes and mass protests over the removal of fuel subsidy, from 9 January 2012 to 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 Monday 16 January 2012, President Goodluck Jonathan announced that pump price of petroleum to 97 Naira per liter.

Benefits Nigerians will no longer enjoy if fuel subsidies are removed:

• Security of supply - subsidies are used to ensure adequate domestic supply by supporting indigenous fuel production in order to reduce import dependency, or supporting overseas activities of national energy companies.
• Environmental improvement - subsidies are used to reduce pollution, including different emissions, and to fulfil international obligations.
• Economic benefits - subsidies in the form of reduced prices are used to stimulate particular economic sectors or segments of the population.
• Employment and social benefits - subsidies are used to maintain employment, especially in periods of economic transition.

Nigerian Insecurity and Bomb attacks in Nigeria a key challenge to the President

The Nigerian President was severely criticized in the media over prevalent lack of security and current bomb attacks in the country. This is now a key challenge to President Goodluck Jonathan. On 26 August 2011, the UN building in Abuja was bombed. President Goodluck 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.

President Jonathan is under immense pressure from Nigerians and the international community to end the attacks and to reinforce strong security measures in the country.