Jonathan made the call while accepting his nomination as the PDP candidate for the presidential election in 2015 at
the party’s National Convention in Abuja, saying that bickering among
selves only served as morale booster to terrorists/insurgents.
The president added that bickering among Nigerians sends a wrong signal to insurgents that the country was divided in the war against terror and could also demoralise the armed forces.
“For this reason, we must remain united. I believe that together as a people and with God on our side, we can defeat terrorism and emerge even stronger and more united as a country.
“Experience in many countries shows that there may be the tendency for the escalation of violence in an election year like this.
“We must all be vigilant, every one of us. Only by a united action can we defeat terrorism and unnecessary violence”, he said.
Jonathan stated that the security of lives and property of Nigerians
remained a priority of the Federal Government, assuring that election
would hold in all states of the federation.
While saluting the armed forces and security services for their
loyalty and commitment to the nation, Jonathan said he would continue to
ensure they had the best in equipment and training.
However, GEJ reminded his fellow party members that the opposition would employ every means including intimidation and false accusation in their desperation for power.
He urged them not to descend to that level but to remain focussed on the mission at hand to secure the country’s future.
In his words: “Let me emphasise again that nobody’s political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.
“We must eschew violence even in the face of the most outrageous act of desperation.
“We must make sure our supporters have their voter card or get them motivated and eager to make their mark for our children, for a stronger economy and for the security of the country’s future.”
The President noted that in the course of the campaign ahead of the 2015 general elections, some office seekers would say it was time for change.
“But while they are changing from one name to another and from one party to another, we have already brought change to this country.
“Has change not come to our railway system? Has change not come to our airports? Has change not come to our road networks?
“Has change not come to our agricultural sector? Has change not come to our electoral process? Has change not come to ‘almajiri’ education?
“Is change not coming to the power sector? What we need today is to consolidate on our gains in order to secure our future.”
While acknowledging the economic challenges facing the country due to sliding oil prices, Jonathan reaffirmed the determination of his administration to address them.
He said the country had faced similar challenges back in 2008 and 2009 arising from unstable oil prices, but it confronted and overcame them.
The President assured Nigerians that his administration had a capable economic team which had already mapped out strategies to manage the current oil price volatility and its threat to the nation.
It would be recalled that more than 3,000 delegates attended the venue of the national convention to consider two major issues: ratification of Jonathan as the party’s sole candidate for 2015 and the confirmation of the appointment of Ahmadu Mu’azu as the party’s National Chairman.
GEJ was adopted PDP’s sole candidate September 18. The move triggered hot discussion both in the political circles and among the ordinary Nigerians. Some characterized such decision as “shameful” and “against the general interest of party men and women”.
It is worth mentioning that this move has already made history, as it has become the first time the PDP put up a single candidate prior to its presidential primaries.
The president added that bickering among Nigerians sends a wrong signal to insurgents that the country was divided in the war against terror and could also demoralise the armed forces.
“For this reason, we must remain united. I believe that together as a people and with God on our side, we can defeat terrorism and emerge even stronger and more united as a country.
“Experience in many countries shows that there may be the tendency for the escalation of violence in an election year like this.
“We must all be vigilant, every one of us. Only by a united action can we defeat terrorism and unnecessary violence”, he said.
Goodluck Jonathan at the PDP primaries in Abuja, Credits: Sahara Reporters
However, GEJ reminded his fellow party members that the opposition would employ every means including intimidation and false accusation in their desperation for power.
He urged them not to descend to that level but to remain focussed on the mission at hand to secure the country’s future.
Scene from a recent bomb blast in Kano.
“We must eschew violence even in the face of the most outrageous act of desperation.
“We must make sure our supporters have their voter card or get them motivated and eager to make their mark for our children, for a stronger economy and for the security of the country’s future.”
The President noted that in the course of the campaign ahead of the 2015 general elections, some office seekers would say it was time for change.
“But while they are changing from one name to another and from one party to another, we have already brought change to this country.
“Has change not come to our railway system? Has change not come to our airports? Has change not come to our road networks?
“Has change not come to our agricultural sector? Has change not come to our electoral process? Has change not come to ‘almajiri’ education?
“Is change not coming to the power sector? What we need today is to consolidate on our gains in order to secure our future.”
While acknowledging the economic challenges facing the country due to sliding oil prices, Jonathan reaffirmed the determination of his administration to address them.
He said the country had faced similar challenges back in 2008 and 2009 arising from unstable oil prices, but it confronted and overcame them.
The President assured Nigerians that his administration had a capable economic team which had already mapped out strategies to manage the current oil price volatility and its threat to the nation.
It would be recalled that more than 3,000 delegates attended the venue of the national convention to consider two major issues: ratification of Jonathan as the party’s sole candidate for 2015 and the confirmation of the appointment of Ahmadu Mu’azu as the party’s National Chairman.
GEJ was adopted PDP’s sole candidate September 18. The move triggered hot discussion both in the political circles and among the ordinary Nigerians. Some characterized such decision as “shameful” and “against the general interest of party men and women”.
It is worth mentioning that this move has already made history, as it has become the first time the PDP put up a single candidate prior to its presidential primaries.
Meanwhile the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries, which started yesterday, are in progress.
No comments:
Post a Comment