BY DANIEL IDONOR
ANKARA, TURKEY — President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, said he has no ambition to stay in office beyond 2015, assuring Nigerians in Diaspora that while he will not contest the 2015 election, he will ensure that this year’s election is free and fair.
The President promised that if voted in for the next four years, he would ensure significant improvement in key sectors of the economy — security, power, education, road, health amongst others.
“Without security, there is no government. So it is not debatable, it is something we have to addressed and we are working towards that with vigour. But if I’m voted into power within the next four years, the issue of power will become a thing of the past. Four years is enough for anyone in power to make significant improvement and if I can’t improve on power within this period, it then means I cannot do anything even if I am there for the next four years.”
Jonathan said this while interacting with Nigerians mainly diplomats working in the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, UNECA, and the African Union, AU, in Addis-Ababa.
While fielding questions from those present at the interactive session on whether Nigerians abroad will vote, Jonathan said: “I would have loved that the Nigerians in Diaspora vote this year but to be frank with you, that is going to be difficult now. Presently, the law does not allow the voting outside Nigeria and so this year Nigerians in Diaspora will not vote but I will work towards it by 2015 even though I will not be running for election.”
On the issue of security, Jonathan said the government was doing everything possible to arrest the situation. He disclosed that all those involved in the October 1 bombing had been arrested and were being prosecuted. He, however, said he ordered the release of the car dealers because they were just businessmen who could not have known that the vehicles were to be used for such heinous crime.
On education, the President said, the nine new approved universities were to be specialised and to be headed by at least three Nigerians experts in Diaspora.
On the concerns raised of having a database of Nigerian experts in Diaspora, President Jonathan assured that he was working on creating a forum for interaction between them and government and also develop a database, where experts needed to address the various challenges of the economy will be drawn. He hinted that this was why the Diaspora Commission was being set up as the bill was already before the National Assembly.
The President also disclosed that the government is looking towards reviewing the country’s foreign policy to ensure that Nigeria gets maximum benefit from its roles and contributions to international organizations like the AU, UN and ECOWAS.
He lamented that right now Nigeria’s contributions were not being recognized adding that “there is need for Nigeria to have something in return for our investments. We are investing so much but it is not being noticed and there is need to reverse that trend.
On the concerns about road network and transportation in the country, President Jonathan assured that the railway system will be revamp because presently heavy duty vehicles were destroying the roads. “Why we cannot have continuous road maintenance for now because no contractor wants to go into it because of the continuous pressure on the road by heavy duty vehicles. That is why we are working to ensure that we revamp the rail”.
The President also assured that Nigerians working in international organization and institutions would be issued diplomatic passports. He directed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odein Ajumogobia to submit the list of those qualified within the shortest possible time to him.
On the 35 per cent affirmative action implementation and the domestication of protocols signed, he assured that he will present before the National Assembly within the shortest possible time
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/02/i-ll-not-contest-2015-election-jonathan/#sthash.sUjsq3de.ct6iRHRn.dpuf

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No network and battery is about to die..... Will get back as soon as power is restore

Apart from security which I blame on terrorism which is a global problem GEJ tried in all other sectors especially in agriculture, transportation, education and youth development.

There is also power and roads. This government has done more roads and are still fixing more. As we speak now Auchi - Okene is being dualized
Benin_- shagamu completely rehabilitated and more projects are going on

The opposition is trying too hard to paint this administration as bad but true Nigerians can see visible improvements from what his predecessor left behind. The man has tried

GEJ have not failed, beside every one deserve a second chance

Ezedon:
GEJ have not failed, beside every one deserve a second chance

This has nothing to do with emotions

stanech:
Apart from security which I blame on terrorism which is a global problem GEJ tried in all other sectors especially in agriculture, transportation, education and youth development.

There is also power and roads. This government has done more roads and are still fixing more. As we speak now Auchi - Okene is being dualized
Benin_- shagamu completely rehabilitated and more projects are going on

The opposition is trying too hard to paint this administration as bad but true Nigerians can see visible improvements from what his predecessor left behind. The man has tried

When you want to evaluate success do so alongside the resources invested, with the resources generated in the past 6years I can't but disagree with you that GEJ's reign has been an epic failure.

SENTIMENT WILL NEVER HOLD ME RANSOM TO FAILED FAILURE.

CHANGE WE WANT

spenca:


When you want to evaluate success do so alongside the resources invested, with the resources generated in the past 6years I can't but disagree with you that GEJ's reign has been an epic failure.

So what's your point?
Since I was born I have never seen a government that is as dedicated in transforming the agriculturaal sector. The revenue is not the issue it is the share will and determination that matters

stanech:


So what's your point?
Since I was born I have never seen a government that is as dedicated in transforming the agriculturaal sector. The revenue is not the issue it is the share will and determination that matters

So when a govt generates say 100 Naira and the spend 10naira on projects and wage bill and what ever expenditure ,what ever becomes of the 90 naira doesn't "matter"? This modus of reasoning would not yeild a better place for us.

spenca:


So when a govt generates say 100 Naira and the spend 10naira on projects and wage bill and what ever expenditure ,what ever becomes of the 90 naira doesn't "matter"? This modus of reasoning would not yeild a better place for us.

Do you have the facts to back it up? Or are you just trying to pull jona down

Mrs how much is the budget now and how much was it then? Why did the past government that were not as corrupt as this one not build a common rail line for the past years now GEJ is doing it you are complaining

stanech:


Do you have the facts to back it up? Or are you just trying to pull jona down

Mrs how much is the budget now and how much was it then? Why did the past government that were not as corrupt as this one not build a common rail line for the past years now GEJ is doing it you are complaining

If you want to benchmark failure with failure then we can aswell not do anything all day. You can aswell start comparing nigeria with chad or Real Madrid with eyimba

spenca:


If you want to benchmark failure with failure then we can aswell not do anything all day. You can aswell start comparing nigeria with chad or Real Madrid with eyimba

U still didn't answer the question. What was the amount of the budget then and what is it now ? Let's compare and see

stanech:


U still didn't answer the question. What was the amount of the budget then and what is it now ? Let's compare and see

My above statements answer your question. I am more concerned with now, "then" has nothing better to offer

spenca:


My above statements answer your question. I am more concerned with now, "then" has nothing better to offer

thats why we have diff views mrs. i am coincerned about d past because it helps me determine the now and predict the future.

stanech:


thats why we have diff views mrs. i am coincerned about d past because it helps me determine the now and predict the future.

Of course your entitled to your way of reasoning , because it rains today doesn't mean it would tomorrow

How has the old dog uphold his rampaging, lunatic and intolerant supporters who maimed,. Ra.ped., killed and destroyed properties of innocent Nigerians?

How has he upheld his almajiri child soldier causing grave havoc and mass murder across the north?

Hypocrisy of the highest order!

If it is about 'upholding' words, didnt buhari say that 2011 will be the last election he would contest? Going by your saying, both of them should keep to their words and step down