President Goodluck Jonathan
By Ahamefule Ogbu and Muhammad Bello
As the security situation in the country reaches an alarming proportion in certain sections of the North, President Goodluck Jonathan, Monday in Abuja met with heads of other arms of government and security chiefs.
The meeting, which was held behind closed-doors at the State House, was attended by Senate President, David Mark, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Musdapher Dahiru, Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin and National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi.
Tambuwal, who was in Delta State on an official engagement, was unable to fly back to Abuja to attend the meeting due to bad weather.
Although details of the meeting, which sources said lasted for one hour, were sketchy, it was gathered that the participants discussed corruption and the security situation in the country.
Sources told THISDAY that the meeting reviewed the security situation in Kaduna State where Boko Haram had launched coordinated bomb attacks on three churches in Kaduna and Zaria on Sunday.
Jonathan was quoted as saying that he was considering imposing emergency rule on the state if the reprisals were not quickly curtailed.
The meeting was also said to have deliberated on a synergy aimed at tackling corruption, using legal and legislative instruments and the will for implementation provided by the executive.
Another issue which sources said was discussed was the successor to Justice Musdapher who is billed to retire on July 14.
In his April 11 letter to the National Judicial Council (NJC), Musdapher had nominated a female justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Mariam Mukhtar Aloma, as his successor-in-waiting.
Accosted by reporters after the meeting, Mark declined to state the purpose of his visit to the State House, saying it was a routine visit.
He, however, urged Christians to shun reprisals, adding: “Vengeance is not ours. We must leave vengeance to God.”
He also appealed to the terrorists to give peace a chance and embrace dialogue as proposed by the Federal Government.
Mark further denied that there was a frosty relationship between the executive and the legislature, adding that both arms have a cordial working relationship.
Meanwhile, Jonathan will leave Abuja today to attend the United Nations’ Earth Summit, RIO+20, opening in Brazil tomorrow.
He will participate in the summit’s four plenary meetings at Riocentro Plenary Hall tomorrow and Thursday, as well as attend a reception to be hosted by the Brazilian president, Ms. Dilma Rousseff, for heads of state and governments at the summit.