Finally, President declares to run in 2015
By Abdullahi M. Gulloma
Abuja
President Goodluck Jonathan has finally declared his intention to contest the February 2015 presidential elections.
In a carnival-like event, the Eagle Square in Abuja was filled to the brim yesterday with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national leadership, state governors, senators, ministers, party kingpins, sympathisers, supporters and executives of the ruling party in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Security was water-tight.
“After seeking the face of God, in quiet reflection with my family and having listened to the call of our people nationwide to run, I, Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, have accepted to re-present myself on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for re-election as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 2015 general elections,” the president said.
Jonathan said he was seeking re-election in line with calls by Nigerians for him to continue in office beyond 2015 in order to sustain the laudable gains of his administration’s Transformation Agenda and heal the country of the current security challenges.
He argued that the Transformation Agenda has changed the face of all segments of the country’s economy, adding, “History has shown that the path of honour of a true leader is not to walk away from his people in the face of challenges.”
He said with the support of the citizens, the present administration was more prepared to deliver on major projects that would impact directly on the lives of Nigerians.
The president urged Nigerians to support the government in its efforts to ensure conclusion of various developmental initiatives geared towards speedy economic reforms in the country.
While giving a blow-by-blow account of his stewardship, the president told the mammoth gathering of his readiness to create eight million jobs if he gets re-elected into the exalted position.
The president also scored the administration high in handling the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in some parts of the country, stressing: “Just as we stopped Ebola, we are on our way to eradicating polio in Nigeria. I promise that I will not hand over polio to anyone.”
Jonathan said he has established 150 Almajirai schools in the north and 14 new universities, which made it possible for each state to have a federal university.
The president said his administration has succeeded in eliminating long queues in filling stations as a result of consistent provision of petroleum products to all parts of the country.
He said, under his watch, Nigerians freely express themselves and even attack the government without fear of molestation.
“I am proud to say that there are no political prisoners in Nigeria today. No Nigerian has been driven to exile; no one – and I repeat, no one – will be driven to exile. It is in furtherance of a peaceful participatory and inclusive democracy that I signed the Freedom of Information Bill into law to expand the frontiers of our fundamental freedom.
“Let me reaffirm that under a Jonathan presidency, your views, no matter how freely expressed, will not send you to prison or to exile. I am convinced that I have served my part with Nigerians and it is now time to look into the future. With your tremendous support, you have collectively done so much in the last three and a half years. But to take our country to the next level, there is still more work to be done.”
In his remarks, the chairman of the presidential declaration committee, Dr. Bello Halliru, said Nigerians want the president to continue with the goods works he is doing, hence the need to persuade him to seek re-election in 2015.
On his part, a former Minister of Works, Alhaji Hassan Adamu, who spoke on behalf of the people of the North-east, said Jonathan had delivered in several sectors of the economy, including making fuel available to all Nigerians year round.
He said the president has established two federal universities in the region and initiated the Almajirai school programme.
Former governor of Rivers state, Dr. Peter Idili, who spoke on behalf of the people of the South-south, said the region remains solidly behind the president.
Professor Jerry Gana spoke on behalf of the people of the North-central, saying the president was a reformist that needs to be given a second chance to deliver more developmental programmes.
Chief Bode George, who represented people of the South-west, said the region would soon come up with a unanimous decision on total support for the president.
Former governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Dalhatu Attahiru Bafarawa, who represented the North-west, said the president has done well for the people of the region in terms of appointments and infrastructure development.