Jonathan&#39;s presidency in 2015 will attract more democracy dividens

Abuja - Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom said the continuation of
President Goodluck Jonathan in office in 2015 would ensure the
delivery of more dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

He stated this on Tuesday in Abuja during the formal declaration of
President Jonathan to contest the presidency in 2015.

Akpabio, who is also the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, said
the governors supported President Jonathan for a second
term because of his achievements in the past three years.
“We went down and we saw the dams and the irrigation projects in
the north; we saw what you are doing in the railway system.

"We noticed your efforts at empowering farmers; we took cognisance
of your efforts in the power sector; we looked at the many roads that
you have done across Nigeria.

“After taking cognisance of your efforts, we resolved that we are
not going to contest against you.
"We are not going to show any interest in the presidency; that we
must give you a second term in office for you to complete your good
works,’’ he said.

According to him, the governors are confident that President
Jonathan would consolidate on his achievements and continue
transforming Nigeria if given a second term.

Akpabio, however, reminded President Jonathan that the battle ahead
was a difficult one, adding that the route to 2015 would not be
smooth, but assured that he would triumph at the end.

"Victory belongs to all of us; victory remains that of PDP; we will
never be intimidated; we will not be intimidated; do not be
intimidated; we are behind you.

"Those who are behind you are more than those who are against you.
In 2015 all Nigerians are going to tell you that we are behind you,’’
Akpabio said.

He described President Jonathan as the biblical David, saying
that ``you are fighting all the wars today so that future Nigerian
presidents will have peace’’.

Gov. Akpabio noted that Jonathan had taken the right step by
establishing the Almajirai schools, particularly in Northern Nigeria
and other schools in the South.
This step, he said, would ensure the education of Nigerian children
and that they were not misled into terrorism and acts insurgency in
future.

He added that PDP governors were against terror, enemies of
progress, propaganda, and blackmail.
Akpabio described members of the opposition as selfish politicians who
had nothing to offer Nigerians and should therefore not be allowed to
take over the Federal Government in 2015.

"We cannot hand over our future to people who are blackmailers and
propagandists,” Akpbio said.
He, however, expressed optimism that the PDP would win at least 30
states in 2015, adding that it would reclaim states it lost to the All
Progressives Congress (APC).

Meanwhile, Alhaji Haliru Mohammed, Chairman of the Presidential
Declaration Committee, in his welcome speech, said that Nigerians
wanted President Jonathan back in 2015 because of his antecedent in
office.

The Senate President, Sen. David Mark, said Jonathan`s achievements
in his transformation agenda had endeared him to Nigerians, adding
that the people wanted him back because they believed in him.

The Eagle Square, venue of the declaration, turned to a carnival
ground as different musicians took time to entertain the large
crowd.

The crowd comprised over 700 pro-Jonathan support groups, market
women, members of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria
(TAN) and members of the diplomatic corps.

Petty traders also used the opportunity of the large crowd to make
brisk businesses while security operatives had a herculean task to
ensure orderliness at the venue.

- NAN