Jonathan Swears In New Political Adviser, Decries Politicians ‘Terrible’ Comments

NEW SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT ON POLITICAL MATTERS, PROF. RUFAI ALKALI SWEARING OATH OF OFFICE YESTERDAY. CREDIT: REUBEN ABATI
NEW SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT ON POLITICAL MATTERS, PROF. RUFAI ALKALI BEING ADMINISTERED OATH OF OFFICE YESTERDAY. CREDIT: REUBEN ABATI

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday administered oaths of office on his new Special Adviser on Political Matters, Prof. Rufai Alkali, three permanent secretaries and a commissioner in the Federal Civil Service Commission.

The brief ceremony, which held inside the council chambers of the presidential villa during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, saw the president caution politicians to always watch what they in order to portray good politics in Nigeria.

He said: “As the political adviser you are like the group managing director to Mr. President on political issues. You are not new; you took us round the whole country during our 2011 campaigns. So, you are already a well-known person.

“You have worked as a member of the NWC of the PDP. Your appointment is key because you are the chief spokesperson of the president on political issues.

“And when one listens to some of the comments that we politicians make, sometimes could be terrible and does not portray the character of good politics. We are supposed to be nation builders”.

The president added that though it could be extremely difficult to agree that politicians could be statesmen because they tend to be partisan, he pleaded that their utterances “should give Nigerians hope that this country will be together and that we must unite and we must collectively forge ahead to develop our country”.

Charging his new political adviser to be decorous in his statements and discharge his duties with a high sense of responsibility, Jonathan said, “You are a very mature person and I believe that in your conduct, your utterances, your actions and inactions you will portray a good character; a character that politicians and young people will use as role models. I congratulate you and I know you will not disappoint, not just me but all Nigerians”.

Others, who were also administered oath of office include – Mr. Simeon Etim as a Commissioner in the Federal Civil Service Commission, three permanent secretaries including Nanpon Danjuma (Plateau), Mrs. Binta Adamu Bello (Katsina) and Babatope Ajakaiye (Ekiti).

1 COMMENT

  1. Professor Alkali’s appointment as special adviser to the president is a well deserved one.
    With his wealth of experience, I believe he has what it takes to deliver and help in stabilizing the polity.
    He is intelligent, articulate and forthright in the assessment of issues objectively.
    This is a trust worthy one the North should unanimously put forward as a Candidate for the Presidency come 2019 when President Goodluck would have served out his two terms.
    Kudos Prof.