President Goodluck Jonathan has denied that Monday’s unexpected sacking of the Minister of Youth Development, Inuwa Abdulkadir, was on politcal grounds.
Jonathan explained the rationale behind as the minister’s failure to handle the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) elections.
Jonathan expressed disappointment on how he was unable to take the youth council through transparent elections in Makurdi and Minna .
Hence, he denied relieving the the Sokoto-born minister of his position over loyal relationships with certain governors opposing the presidency.
A statement signed by presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, read: ‘the most disingenuous and malicious speculation’ by a national newspaper report that Abdulkadir was fired for “failing to ensure that a pro-Jonathan candidate emerged as president of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN)”.
Abati further explained that the minister was not in tune with the President’s sincere and unwavering commitment to promoting credibility and integrity of the electoral process at all levels in the country, and his firm belief in constantly nurturing a culture of free, fair and credible election among Nigerian youth.
“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.
“The President therefore expects all officials of his administration to exhibit greater rectitude and sensitivity on issues related to youth development, and com port themselves at all times in a manner worthy of emulation by Nigerian
youth”.
“In point of fact, it was 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 fractionalization of the youth council”, Abati stated.
Jonathan denies sacking Youth minister on political grounds
