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Both President Goodluck Jonathan and his newly sworn-in Vice President Arc Namadi Sambo have pledged to work together in the best interest of the country so that Nigeria can move ahead.
The two, who spoke after the swearing-in ceremony of the new VP which took place at the Executive Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja indicated that their administration will not be marked by bitter rivalry.
Jonathan gave a glimpse of the responsibilities that the new VP might be asked to shoulder when he stated that Sambo would meet with the economic team regularly to ensure delivery of promises to the public.
And in what appears to be an attempt to rev up the pace of governance, the President asked ministers to hand in their action plans for the next one year tomorrow.
Apparently mindful of cases where power struggle between public officers degenerated into open war, Jonathan assured Nigerians that he would work with Sambo as a team.
According to him, “The stories of crisis between President and vice-president will not arise. I will make sure that we work together as a team.”
He spoke shortly
He explained that as a former deputy governor and a former VP, he has a fair knowledge of areas of disagreement between a president and his deputy.
In the recent past, power struggle between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his deputy Atiku Abubakar nearly paralysed government business.
Also, during the prolonged absence of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, a group of the late President’s inner circle fought hard to fraustrate Jonathan, then vice-president.
But the President said this type of situation would not occur during his tenure.
“I know that we will work together to make sure we project the interest of this country internationally and work with all stakeholders to improve the economy of the country," he said.
He asked Sambo to "be supportive and carry out the duties of your office without fear or favour”, describing the event as "a unique and important event in the political history of Nigeria”.
He thanked the media, the National Assembly, state governors and the armed forces for making the event possible. He specifically thanked the National Assembly “for the speedy approval granted the nomination of the vice-president”.
"I am not surprised that Sambo, a gentleman we all know has a reputation and a clear record as the immediate past governor of Kaduna State. He is somebody I have worked with before at the National Economic Council level and he has been a member of the committees that I chaired and I find him really worthy to hold this office," he added.
Jonathan told the veepee that the challenge now is to improve the economy. "You will be meeting with the economic team regularly to ensure that our promises to Nigerians are kept," he told Sambo.
In his remarks, the vice-president who was immediately given the national honour of GCON by the President said he was accepting the “enormous responsibility” thrust on his shoulders with “a deep sense of appreciation”.
He stated that he was aware of the challenges facing him and stated that they will be surmounted.
"We are by providence and fate provided with yet another opportunity to work closely in our current capacities and I believe that it will be the beginning of a partnership that would be beneficial to Nigerians as we shall forge a common front to see to the realization of a credible electoral reform; a sustained fight against corruption and the rejuvenation of the power sector; peaceful and steady implementation of the blueprint for the resolution of the Niger Delta question and the need to enhance effective security in our dear country, " he stated.
Both President Goodluck Jonathan and his newly sworn-in Vice President Arc Namadi Sambo have pledged to work together in the best interest of the country so that Nigeria can move ahead.
The two, who spoke after the swearing-in ceremony of the new VP which took place at the Executive Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja indicated that their administration will not be marked by bitter rivalry.
Jonathan gave a glimpse of the responsibilities that the new VP might be asked to shoulder when he stated that Sambo would meet with the economic team regularly to ensure delivery of promises to the public.
And in what appears to be an attempt to rev up the pace of governance, the President asked ministers to hand in their action plans for the next one year tomorrow.
Apparently mindful of cases where power struggle between public officers degenerated into open war, Jonathan assured Nigerians that he would work with Sambo as a team.
According to him, “The stories of crisis between President and vice-president will not arise. I will make sure that we work together as a team.”
He spoke shortly
He explained that as a former deputy governor and a former VP, he has a fair knowledge of areas of disagreement between a president and his deputy.
In the recent past, power struggle between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his deputy Atiku Abubakar nearly paralysed government business.
Also, during the prolonged absence of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, a group of the late President’s inner circle fought hard to fraustrate Jonathan, then vice-president.
But the President said this type of situation would not occur during his tenure.
“I know that we will work together to make sure we project the interest of this country internationally and work with all stakeholders to improve the economy of the country," he said.
He asked Sambo to "be supportive and carry out the duties of your office without fear or favour”, describing the event as "a unique and important event in the political history of Nigeria”.
He thanked the media, the National Assembly, state governors and the armed forces for making the event possible. He specifically thanked the National Assembly “for the speedy approval granted the nomination of the vice-president”.
"I am not surprised that Sambo, a gentleman we all know has a reputation and a clear record as the immediate past governor of Kaduna State. He is somebody I have worked with before at the National Economic Council level and he has been a member of the committees that I chaired and I find him really worthy to hold this office," he added.
Jonathan told the veepee that the challenge now is to improve the economy. "You will be meeting with the economic team regularly to ensure that our promises to Nigerians are kept," he told Sambo.
In his remarks, the vice-president who was immediately given the national honour of GCON by the President said he was accepting the “enormous responsibility” thrust on his shoulders with “a deep sense of appreciation”.
He stated that he was aware of the challenges facing him and stated that they will be surmounted.
"We are by providence and fate provided with yet another opportunity to work closely in our current capacities and I believe that it will be the beginning of a partnership that would be beneficial to Nigerians as we shall forge a common front to see to the realization of a credible electoral reform; a sustained fight against corruption and the rejuvenation of the power sector; peaceful and steady implementation of the blueprint for the resolution of the Niger Delta question and the need to enhance effective security in our dear country, " he stated.
