Nigeria’s President Jonathan confirms his gradual march to 2011 contest
Special to USAfrica multimedia networks, Houston. USAfricaonline.com, CLASSmagazine and the Nigeria360 e-group. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nigeria360/
Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has laid to rest the suspense and speculation about his gradual, methodical plans to contest the presidential election in the country in 2011. On Wednesday September 15, 2010, he chose the platform of social media to announce that:
“Today, I confirm that after wide and thorough consultations spanning the six geo-political zones that make up Nigeria, with members of my family, my party, the opposition, civil society, the private sector, members of the Labor Unions, religious leaders, youths and student groups and our revered traditional institutions, I Goodluck Ebele Jonathan by the grace of God hereby offer myself and my services to the Nigerian people as a candidate for the office of President in the forth coming 2011 elections.”
“In presenting myself for service, I make no pretense that I have a magic wand that will solve all of Nigeria’s problems or that I am the most intelligent Nigerian,” the statement added.
“Far from it. What I do promise is this, If I am elected president in 2011, I will make a covenant with you the Nigerian people to always do right by you, to tell you the truth at all times, to carry you along and most importantly to listen to you, fellow citizens in our communities and also those of you on this page,” the statement said.
“I do not want to win your affections by giving you promises of things I would do in the future which others before me have given and which have largely been unfulfilled. Rather, I would want you to judge me by my records,” the statement added
“Since God Almighty and you yourself permitted me to serve you in the present capacity, I have busied myself with setting Nigeria on the path of peace and progress.”
Jonathan promised to make his formal declaration at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja on Saturday September 18, 2010. Today’s release, according to sources, were timed to upstage the controversial but wily former Nigerian military ruler Ibrahim Babangida who is seeking the same PDP ticket (alongside others) in competition with Jonathan. A few days ago, USAfricaonline.com reported the surprise shuffle of the armed forces service chiefs and the removal of the Inspector General of Police by Jonathan. see report “With firings of Onovo and armed forces chiefs, Jonathan enters hardball politics….” https://usafricaonline.com/2010/09/08/jonathan-firing-servicechiefs-onovo2010-by-chido/
Jonathan has not contested and won, directly, any executive elective post at the local or national level. But the man has, like his name, benefitted from a mix of goodluck, an amiable personality, strong political god-fathers and being at the right place at the opportune time. 2011 will be his first test as the top gun on the ballot. By Chido Nwangwu, USAfricaonline.com
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