By Sani Adamu, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
When President Goodluck Jonathan declared his intention to contest the 2011 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), some cynics doubted his chances of winning the election.
Political pundits observe that the pessimists’ view was not because Jonathan was not popular but because of the growing demand for the retention of the presidency in the north following the death of the then President Umar Yar’ Adua.
Beside this, there was stiff opposition from some powerful members of the PDP of northern extraction, who felt rightly or wrongly, that the presidency must remain in the north in line with the party’s purported zoning arrangement.
But in spite of all odds, Jonathan contested and won the 2011 presidential election.
Since the beginning of his administration, however, perceptive observers believe that Jonathan has recorded remarkable achievements in all aspects of human developments.
They note that available records indicate that Nigeria under Jonathan has undergone a remarkable transformation, especially in agriculture, health, education, water supply and transportation, among others.
According to them, the administration has improved on the nation’s critical infrastructure such as road reconstruction and the restoration of the moribund rail system.
These, among other achievements, probably inform the decision of Jonathan to seek re-election in the 2015 presidential race.
Addressing supporters and party faithful who witnessed his re-election declaration at the Eagle Square in Abuja recently, Jonathan said he accepted to re-contest the election after seeking God’s guidance following calls by many Nigerians.
Prior to his declaration, the National Executive Committee of PDP had also endorsed Jonathan as the party’s sole candidate for the 2015 presidential election.
The endorsement followed his adoption as the party’s sole presidential candidate for the election by the party’s Governors Forum and other organs of the party.
In his speech, Jonathan said: “History has shown that the part of honour for any true leader is not to walk away from his people in moments of challenges.
“We must come together in adversity and overcome all threats to our development.
“After seeking the face of God, in quiet reflection with my family and after listening to the calls of our people nationwide to run, I have accepted to present myself to run.’’
He, however, said that although his administration had since its inception impacted positively on all sectors of the nation`s economy, there was much to be done to take the country to the next level of development.
He said that his administration had weeded out 56,000 ghost workers from the Federal Civil Service through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), saving N162 billion in the process.
“I have directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to bring the perpetrators of this criminal act to book; let it be very clear that as public officers, we must live by example.
“We must fully account for monies entrusted in our care,’’ the president told a crowd of supporters, party leaders and members at the Eagle Square, venue of the declaration rally.
In the health sector, Jonathan recalled how the country was able to defeat the Ebola Virus Disease with the support of governments of Lagos and Rivers states as well as other Nigerians.
He said that just as the country fought against the virus; it would as well eradicate Polio, assuring that he would not hand over polio to his successor.
On education, Jonathan said that his administration had established 14 new universities out of which two were specialised, adding that “every Nigerian state now has a federal university’’.
He noted that more than N500 billion had been spent through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and Special Needs Assessment Fund on various projects to improve the quality of educational infrastructure at the tertiary level.
Besides, he said that his administration had established 150 Almajiri schools across the northern states to provide equal access and opportunities in education.
In the agricultural sector, he said that his government had succeeded in eradicating corruption in the provision and distribution of fertiliser to farmers.
According to him, fertilisers have been taken from the greedy and given to the needy under his government.
He said that with the one billion dollar invested by the Dangote group in rice production and efforts of the government at boosting rice production, Nigeria would soon become a net exporter of rice.
The president said that he had started a “revolution’’ in the housing sector that would enable millions of Nigerians to become first time house owners.
According to him, 66,000 mortgage requests received from young Nigerians were already being processed.
He said that his government had completed the dredging of the River Niger from Baro in Niger to Warri, Delta.
On electricity, Jonathan said his government had pursued reforms to “an irreversible progress’’ and that additional hydro power stations were being built in Zungeru and Mambila.
Jonathan stated that his administration had laid solid democratic foundation for the country and assured Nigerians that their votes would not only be counted but would truly count in 2015.
Further enumerating his achievements, Jonathan recalled that his administration had reduced extreme poverty two years ahead of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
While thanking Nigerians for the trust reposed in him to lead Nigeria, Jonathan pledged to end violence in the country and rescue the 219 abducted Chibok schoolgirls.
He also announced plans by the Federal Government to construct the road leading to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
He said that Nigeria, with largest cement factory in Africa, would soon start cement exportation as part of efforts to boost the nation’s economy for sustainable development.
Promising to fight corruption, Jonathan said that the Transformation Agenda would create wealth for Nigerians via agriculture, if re-elected.
“We must continue to hold the tempo all high in our country. 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.
“So many things had inspired me in the journey to this moment; I thank all Nigerians and the Market Women Association who encourage me by committing some funds to support me.
“In the same vein, I am touched by the National Association of Widows, that also encouraged me with their widows might; this labour of love from ordinary Nigerians has increased my appreciation of your solidarity.
“It has also increased my trust in our joint destiny and all that we have achieved together this past three and half years,’’ Jonathan said.
Major stakeholders from the six geopolitical zones of the country also spoke and assured Jonathan of their support.
Chief Olabode George spoke for the South-West while Alhaji Hassan Adamu spoke for the North East zone.
Adamu said that Jonathan had fulfilled his promises of boosting education in the region with the approval of two universities in Potiskum and Wukari.
He noted that the President had connected the region with rail tracks from Bauchi.
Representative of the North West, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, said the PDP would poll 80 per cent votes for Jonathan in 2015.
Former Gov. Peter Odili of Rivers, on behalf of South-South zone, said the region had absolute trust and confidence in the capability of Jonathan to ensure better living standard for all Nigerians.
Prof. Jerry Gana, on behalf of the North Central, said Jonathan was a catalyst for development that had rejuvenated rail tracks, transformed the power sector and ensured good governance in the country.
Former Senate President Ken Nnamani pointed out that the successes recorded by Jonathan called for his continuity in power.
Appraising his performances since he assumed office as the president of Nigeria, Nigerians in the UK, also expressed their support for Jonathan’s re-election bid, describing him as “a divine project’’ ordained by God.
Optimistic of Jonathan’s chances of re-election in 2015, Vice President Namadi Sambo said that Jonathan had led Nigeria well via his Transformation Agenda.
Sharing similar sentiments, Senate President David Mark said Jonathan had demonstrated that he could be trusted, pledging to support him to continue with his transformation programme.
In the same vein, Gov. Goodswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum assured Jonathan of the forum’s support in the 2015 general elections.
In his comment, former Gov. Attahiru Bafarawa of Sokoto, pledged the support of the people of North-West zone to Jonathan’s re-election bid and announced the donation of a bus for the his campaign.
Also, farmers and Fulani pastoralists joined other associations, pressure groups, youth and women groups that endorsed Jonathan’s re-election bid in Abuja.
Observers, however, note that the avalanche of solidarity and support for the Jonathan’s re-election project from the various segments of the country notwithstanding, the potential of other contenders, including the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC), is cardinal to national development.
According to them, if the current tempo of solidarity and enthusiasm for Jonathan’s candidacy is however sustained, he stands a better chance of winning the election in 2015. (NAN)
