Jonathan presents handover notes, says I’ve done my best

L-R: Outgoing President, Goodluck Jonathan and incoming President, Muhammadu Buhari, when Jonathan presented the handover notes to Buhari in Abuja

Outgoing Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday took a critical assessment of his administration in the last four years and returned a verdict that he had done his best for the country.

He said his administration had impacted positively on key aspects of national life for the benefit of the citizens.

Jonathan said this in his remarks shortly before presenting his handover notes to the incoming President, Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The event, which was held inside the Council Chambers and witnessed by the All Progressives Congress’ chiefs, took place shortly after Jonathan conducted Buhari round the seat of power.

Vice President Namadi Sambo had also similarly conducted the Vice President-elect, Yemi Osinbajo, round his wing of the villa.

Jonathan presented an executive summary of his handover notes and a copy of the report of the National Conference to Buhari.

He expressed the hope that the notes would give the incoming administration an idea of his administration’s mission statement and the commitment of his government for the past five years.

He however said the report of the National Conference was more important to him than the handover notes because it was compiled by Nigerians.

He said if the report was implemented, most of the grey areas of national development would be resolved.

Jonathan said, “There is another document that I will hand over to you. To me, this is more important than the handover notes. The handover notes are the activities of an administration, they show where we started, where we are going; in some of the cases you will follow, in other cases you may take other angle.

“But this is a document that was compiled by Nigerians, the report of the National Conference 2014. We gathered almost 500 Nigerians from all walks of life, they were not influenced by government in any way.

“Most of the recommendations here, if they are followed, most of the grey areas even in our politics will be smoothened out.

“Most of the areas where people complain bitterly: corruption and others, this document deals with them. Some people here were members of that great body of about 500 eggheads.

“We were unable to implement the report because of the shortness of time. We have sent a copy to the National Assembly but it is a document that we are very hopeful your government will look into and give it the attention it requires.”

In assessing his administration’s performance, Jonathan said he had impacted positively on national life.

While admitting that challenges still abound, he expressed the conviction that they were surmountable.

He said as he handed over the reins of government, he believed that the nation is secure with its democracy stable and a bright future.

He added, “Our administration has done its best to intervene robustly and impact positively on key aspects of our national life.

“There is no doubt that challenges still abound, but they are surmountable and overwhelming national transformation remains realisable with continuity, commitment and consistency.

“Nigeria is blessed with citizens that will always remain faithful, firmly committed to national unity, accelerated political, social and economic development.

“As we hand over the reins of government, I believe that our nation is secure, our democracy is stable and the future is bright.

“Let us work together and with greater resolve, continue to build a stronger and more prosperous nation.”

He had earlier listed his administration’s achievements to include the success recorded against Boko Haram lately, the eradication of the Ebola Virus Disease, improved revenue mobilisation, agriculture, power sector privatisation, massive road construction, railways and aviation, anti-corruption fight, education, sports and foreign policy.

Jonathan recalled that the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System introduced by his administration had succeeded in weeding out 60,450 ghost workers in 359 out of 425 Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

He said the exercise had yielded N185.4bn in savings to the Federal Government.

Buhari, in his short remarks, said he would not be able to make any strong statement until after reading and digesting the handover notes.

He however commended Jonathan for conceding defeat in the March 28 presidential election, saying his decision changed the course of Nigeria’s political history.

He said the President could have made things difficult if he had wanted to do so.

He expressed delight that rather than taking any action that would be at the expense of the lives of Nigerians, Jonathan took the path of honour.

Buhari said, “What I will say is that since the telephone call you made (to me), you have changed the course of Nigeria’s political history.

“For that, you have earned yourself a place in our history, for stabilising this system of multi-party democracy system and you have earned the respect of not only Nigerians but world leaders.

“All the leaders that spoke to me and congratulated us for arriving at the point we arrived, mentioned this and I could understand a lot of relief in their voices that Nigeria has made it after all and this is largely owed to a situation.

“If you had attempted to make things difficult, you could have made things difficult and that would have been at the expense of the lives of poor Nigerians; but you chose the path of honour and may God help all of us. Thank you very much, Your Excellency.”