Why I Sacked Youth Minister-Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on
Wednesday confirmed that his decision to
sack his erstwhile Minister of Youth
Development, Inuwa Abdulkadir, was
based on the latter's mishandling of the
National Youth Council of Nigeria's
elections in Makurdi and Minna which
resulted in the factionalisation of the
council.

THE PUNCH had reported exclusively on
Tuesday that investigations showed that
the minister must have been sacked on
Monday among other reasons because of
the allegation of imposition of a candidate
at a recent election of the NYCN.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on
Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the
President said he was "very displeased" by
the former minister's action.
He said Abdulkadir's failure to provide
appropriate leadership towards open and
transparent youth council elections was
unacceptable to him and his
administration.

He said because he was committed to
ensuring that the Nigerian youth were
given the best possible upbringing and
orientation, he expected all officials of his
administration to exhibit greater rectitude
and sensitivity on issues related to youth
development.

The President added that he expected his
appointees to comport themselves at all
times in a manner worthy of emulation by
Nigerian youths.

He however denied media report (not The
PUNCH) that he sacked the former minister
for failing to ensure that his (the
President's) candidate emerged as
president of the NYCN.
Describing the report as baseless, Jonathan
said he regarded all Nigerian youth as his
wards and constituents and there was no
reason for him to prefer one candidate
over others.

The statement read, "We have noted with
regret the several false speculations in the
media yesterday (Tuesday) on the reason
for the termination of the appointment of
the former Minister of Youth Development,
Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir by President
Goodluck Jonathan.

"While many media outlets erroneously
attributed the minister's sacking to his
disloyalty or closeness to a particular
governor or governors said to be opposed
to the President, the most disingenuous
and malicious speculation was by a
national newspaper which claimed that
Alhaji Abdulkadir was fired for 'failing to
ensure that a pro-Jonathan candidate
emerged as president of the NYCN.'

"We wish to assure the general public that
nothing could be farther from the truth.
President Jonathan regards all Nigerian
youth as his wards and constituents.

Claims
that
he had a preferred candidate in the
NYCN elections are completely baseless and
without justification as there was
absolutely no reason for him to prefer one
candidate over others.
"President Jonathan remains sincerely and
unwaveringly committed to doing all
within his powers to promote the
credibility and integrity of the electoral
process at all levels in the country.
"He firmly believes that a culture of free,
fair and credible election must be
constantly nurtured and encouraged
amongst Nigerian youth and all other
sections of the country.
"In point of fact, it was Alhaji Abdulkadir's
regrettable deviation from this presidential
commitment in the management of the
NYCN elections that led to the decision to
relieve him of his appointment as Minister
of Youth Development.
"President Jonathan was very displeased
with the mishandling of the NYCN elections
in Makurdi and Minna by the Ministry of
Youth Development which resulted in the
unfortunate factionalisation of the youth
council.
"The President found the ministry's failure
to provide appropriate leadership towards
open and transparent youth council
elections unacceptable.
"President Jonathan is sincerely committed
to doing everything possible to ensure that
the Nigerian youth, on whom the
country's
aspirations for a bright and prosperous
future depend, are given the best possible
upbringing and orientation."

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