Goodluck Jonathan

Infobox Vice President
name=Goodluck Jonathan
image
order= Vice President of Nigeria
term_start=May 29, 2007
president=Umaru Yar'Adua
predecessor= Atiku Abubakar
successor="incumbent"
birth_date= November 20, 1957
birth_place=Bayelsa State, Nigeria
party=People's Democratic Party
spouse=Patience|

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (born November 20 1957Lawson Heyford, [http://www.thesourceng.com/jonathanprofiledec11.htm "Jonathan: A Colossus at 49"] , "The Source" (Lagos), December 11, 2006] ) is a Nigerian politician and current Vice President of Nigeria. He was Governor of Bayelsa State from 9 December 2005 to 28 May 2007, and was sworn in as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 29 May 2007. Jonathan is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Early life, education and personal life

Jonathan was born in Otueke in Ogbia Local Government Area of the then Rivers, now Bayelsa State. He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Honours in Zoology with a second class (HONS) upper division, an M.Sc. in Hydrobiology/Fisheries biology, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Zoology from the University of Port Harcourt.

He is married, and his wife's name is Patience. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Money Laundering: I’m Not Involved, Says Bayelsa Governor |url=http://www.efccnigeria.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1026&Itemid=2 |work=Thisday, via EFCCNigeria.org |publisher= Leaders & Company |date=2006-09-12 |accessdate=2007-09-22 ]

Political career

Bayelsa State governorship

Jonathan, previously the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, replaced Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who was impeached by the Bayelsa State Assembly after being charged with money laundering in the United Kingdom. In September 2006, his wife was indicted by the nation's anti-crime agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for money laundering related offences.

Presidential race

In December 2006, Jonathan was selected as running mate to Umaru Yar'Adua for the ruling PDP presidential ticket in the April 2007 election. [Tom Ashby, [http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=qw116638992440B252 "Reclusive Yar'Adua wins ruling party ticket"] , Reuters ("IOL"), December 17, 2006.] On April 20 2007, shortly before the presidential election, a militant attack in Bayelsa State occurred that was described by police as an assassination attempt against Jonathan. [ [http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/301DDB62-D2F7-41E2-A644-8D96757775D8.htm "Attacks seek to derail Nigeria poll"] , Al Jazeera, April 21, 2007.]

Vice Presidency

Following the PDP's disputed electoral victory, militants blew up Jonathan's country house in Otu-Eke, Bayelsa State on May 16, and two policemen were killed in the attack. Jonathan was not present at the time. [ [http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=86&art_id=nw20070516111911384C495335 "Militants attack Nigerian VP's home"] , AFP ("IOL"), May 16, 2007.]

After taking office, Yar'Adua publicly declared his assets, and on August 8 2007, Jonathan also did so. [ [http://apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=39001 "Nigeria’s vice president declares assets worth $2.4 million"] , African Press Agency, August 9, 2007.] Lanre Adewole, [http://www.tribune.com.ng/09082007/news/news2.html "At last, Goodluck declares N295m assets"] , "Nigerian Tribune", August 9, 2007.] According to Jonathan, as of May 30 2007 he has a total of 295,304,420 naira in assets.

References

ee also

* Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-IV), 2008.

succession box|title=Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice Presidential Nominee
start=2004|before=Atiku Abubakar|after=Incumbent|years=2007 (won)succession box|title=Vice President of Nigeria
start=2004|before=Atiku Abubakar|after=Incumbent|years=May 29, 2007 - present
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