PREMIUM TIMES HAS 15 QUESTIONS FOR GEJ

PREMIUM TIMES HAS 15 QUESTIONS FOR GEJ - "Presidential Media Chat: 15
Questions For Mr. Jonathan"

President Goodluck Jonathan will this evening host a Media Chat to be
broadcast live on radio and TV stations across the country.

The president is expected to respond to questions on a number of
topical national issues from journalists selected by his handlers.

Mr. Jonathan's spokesperson, Reuben Abati, said in a statement that
the Presidential Media Chat would begin at 7:00 p.m.

The presidency has in the past promised to entertain questions by
telephone calls, sms, and via social media.

This time, the presidency has said interested members of the public
could send in their question via twitter to the account @mediachatng1.

In case you are able to reach the president on the programme, we
suggest you put the questions below to him, in addition to others you
might have.

We also urge the journalists, who will interview the president, to
consider asking him some of the questions suggested below.

1. It is now three weeks since over 250 schoolgirls were kidnapped in
Borno State with the government still unable to ascertain the number
of girls kidnapped or more importantly to free them. Can you tell
Nigerians how much time the government needs to ascertain the number
and identity of girls kidnapped and most importantly when the girls
would be freed?

2. There have been reports that the government is negotiating with the
kidnappers to free the girls. Is the government willing to pay ransom
to terrorists to free the girls or what is the government willing to
do to free them?

3. Borno, like Yobe and Adamawa, has been under state of emergency for
about a year. Despite this, killings, arson, abduction and other
crimes happen virtually everyday with over 1,500 killed in 2014 alone,
according to Human Rights Watch. Would you say the emergency rule has
been effective, or would it be right for Nigerians to say the federal
government's best efforts is not good enough to secure lives and
property?

4. There have been debates on various sides on the state of emergency
in the North-East. Does the Federal Government plan to extend the
state of emergency in those three states?

5. About 24 hours after at least 75 people were killed in a bomb
explosion in Abuja, you were seen dancing at a political function in
Kano. What informed your decision? Do you have remorse for your
action? Would you act in a similar manner if such happens again?

6. The insecurity in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, and other North-Central
states have worsened in the past few years, particularly during your
administration; with hundreds killed and thousands displaced. What
would you say is the cause of this? Is the government not simply
failing in securing the lives and property of Nigerians?

7. Kidnapping for ransom in the South-South including in your home
state of Bayelsa has worsened. Several people, including your own
relatives, have been victims. What really is the government doing
about the growing insecurity in Nigeria?

8. You have ordered schools and offices shut in Abuja for the World
Economic Forum for Africa event. In Davos, New York and other places
where bigger or similar events usually hold, kids are never denied
schooling, neither are offices shut. What informed your thinking and
what example do you think your administration is setting by doing
this? By the way, how much is the hosting of the WEF costing Nigeria?

9. The Federal Government claims the economy is strong and stable,
with inflation rate at single digit, while external reserves remain
robust. But the impact of all this is hardly felt by the people, with
unemployment rate still very high. Why is it difficult to translate
the 'economic successes' to job creation?

10. At least two groups have made demands for evidence of the 1.6
million jobs that your administration claims to have generated in
2013. No record has been provided by the Finance Ministry, statistics'
bureau and others. Can you tell Nigerians now that you as President
has evidence of that amount of jobs and when will you provide the
public with evidence of the job created?

11. There have been at least five government reports (KPMG, House of
Reps, Nuhu Ribadu, Aig-Imokhuede, and NEITI) that have shown that
Nigeria's petroleum ministry and its subsidiaries are either corruptly
or inefficiently managed. Why does it appear impossible for you to
remove the petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, despite these
reports?

12. The House of Representatives has recommended the cancellation of
OPL 245 sale to Shell and AGIP; and the investigation and prosecution
of all officials, public and private involved in the fraudulent
transaction. You too were named as beneficiary of that monumental
scam. At what point did you as president get involved in the Malabu
OPL 245 deal, and when will you implement the House resolutions?

13. The federal government in December shared Nigeria's ecological
funds to 17 states whose governors are loyal to you. In fact, you
reportedly ordered that the N34 billion naira be shared to only states
whose governors are either in the PDP or loyal to you like Ondo and
Anambra. Are you saying none of the 16 APC controlled states deserved
shares of the ecological fund?

14. Have you approved an extension for the National Conference? Are
you bothered that the APC and NBA boycotted the conference? Should
Nigerians really expect any tangible result from the conference?

15. It is now exactly three months since suspended Governor of the
Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi, revealed that the Nigerian
National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, failed to account for $20billion
oil money. What are you doing to find that missing money?