True to this statement, the average Nigerian has been
indifferent or lukewarm towards political power and
consequently, the political elites have dominated
power since independence. As the 2015 elections
draw nearer, I have studied the unfolding dynamics
and permutations, my conclusion is that all factors
considered, it is in the best interest of Nigeria to re-
elect President Jonathan for another four years. I
have summarized my reasons below.
My first reason is that Nigeria has recorded
remarkable economic growth under President
Jonathan. Only two Months ago, Nigeria overtook
South Africa as the continent’s largest economy after
it overhauled its gross domestic product data for the
first time in more than two decades. According to
verifiable figures for 2013, released by Nigeria’s
statistics bureau, Nigeria’s GDP hit $503bn (£307bn) –
nearly double previous estimates and well ahead of
South Africa at around $350bn.
This pushed Nigeria up 12 places to become the 24th
largest economy in the world – on par with Poland
and Belgium and ahead of Argentina, Austria and
Iran. This is a huge achievement. This development
was not achieved overnight. It was a result of the
direct dynamic approach of the President in terms of
greater investment in entrepreneurship and private
sector participation.
My second reason is that President Jonathan has
recorded significant improvements in the power
sector, backed up with greater roads and
infrastructural development. The bold privatization of
the defunct NEPA paved way for improved power
supply in Nigeria. Most Nigerians can confirm that
although we do not have power supply round the
clock, however there has been a commendable
improvement. There has been also greater road
rehabilitation in Nigeria like the Lagos-Benin Road,
the ongoing second Niger bridge etc. This
government has also commissioned many new
schools especially in the north of Nigeria aimed at
bringing education to the door steps of the
commoners.
Thirdly this administration has pursued a robust
foreign policy since inception. Nigeria which
previously lagged behind in the comity of nations,
has now assumed her rightful position as a leader in
the international community. The recent successful
hosting of the World economic summit is a testament
to this. Nigeria under President Jonathan has been a
dynamic force in Africa and beyond. Nigeria has been
leading the peacemaking initiatives in the West
African sub region, with our troops deployed in Mali,
Liberia and beyond. Nigeria’s partnerships with our
international allies like the UK, US and France have
deepened and improved under the Jonathan led
administration.
The number four reason is the need for continuity
and stability in our democracy. Having made
tremendous progress as discussed above, there is an
important need for continuity in order to sustain
these achievements. We cannot afford to start afresh
all over again. What is needed is a sustained initiative
and a planned change of government after another
four years.
Another important reason Jonathan should continue
is that he is a democrat in all ramifications. Even
some elements of the opposition attest to the
democratic disposition of the President. President
Jonathan’s tolerance of the opposition is
unprecedented in the annals of Nigeria. In the first
republic, the leader of the opposition Chief Obafemi
Awolowo and his supporters were harassed and
imprisoned. In the second republic, the ruling NPN
allegedly tried to intimidate and capture all States by
all means including the Ondo State Gubernatorial
election “victory” of 1983 which caused an uproar in
Ondo state.
But today, members of the opposition can sleep with
two eyes closed, thanks to the liberality of the
President. The President has a non violent body
language which connotes peace. Today many
opponents throw personal abuses and insults at the
President without facing any consequences. Many
African leaders wouldn’t take personal insults and
abuses from the opposition or anybody for that
matter. In the recent past this would have been
unthinkable. Those critics who think the President is
weak should realize that it takes strength of character
to absorb insults and abuses without negative
reactions. To his credit, there has been no politically
motivated assassinations till date. Friends and Foes
agree that Mr. President cannot “hurt” a fly.
Similarly the President has supervised fairer
elections than his predecessors. Many States today
are controlled by the opposition. In fact it is on
record that opposition parties have won more
elections under President Jonathan than under all
previous dispensations put together. This can be
attributed to the democratic inclination of the
President. He has reasonably erased the do or die
politics of the past.
Again, victory for Jonathan is victory for the common
man. Jonathan can be said to be the first Commoner
from a humble beginning to emerge President. The
political elites have dominated politics in Nigeria
from time immemorial. It doesn’t matter if they are
from the North or South, Christians or Muslims. The
elites had always been in power in Nigeria. Jonathan
emergence was an act of God which no mortal
envisaged. Therefore ordinary and working class
Nigerians must ensure that the elites do not bully
Jonathan out of office. At the moment the elites have
united with the sole purpose of recapturing power
for themselves and their descendants. They are using
sensitive issues like insurgency and insecurity to
blackmail the President. Nigerians should not be
fooled by the antics of these desperate folks. No
single godfather owns Nigeria. Nigeria belongs to us
all. Therefore we are all equal stakeholders and
therefore the will of the majority must prevail.
Similar to the above is the seventh reason. Jonathan
is the first minority to be elected President. Therefore
Jonathan represents hope for the down trodden and
minorities in Nigeria. From independence the major
ethnic groups dominated politics in Nigeria. It was
unimaginable then to have a minority as President.
Today we have a minority as President on a platter of
gold. Added to this is that the South-South region
where Jonathan comes from accounts for over 90%
of the resources Nigeria has been using to run for
over four decades now. Strangely Jonathan is the first
President from this region. It would be a good idea to
allow Jonathan govern Nigeria with our support.
Jonathan can do better with our support and
cooperation. Those opposed to his ambition based
on the so called unwritten agreement should realize
that Nigeria and her Constitution are greater than
any parochial arrangement.
Moreover another four years of Jonathan would
mark the beginning of the end of the era of
godfatherism in Nigerian politics. The so called
godfathers in our national political life have held
Nigeria to ransom, without rhyme or reason. They
place unrealistic and unreasonable demands on the
incumbents. The first battle Jonathan fought was to
liberate himself from his so called godfather which
he has successfully and bravely done. The next four
years would give the President the opportunity to
level all inequalities and provide a level playing field
for all Nigerians, to enable eligible candidates contest
and win elections without depending on godfathers.
The ninth reason we should re-elect President is
because of the lack of a credible opposition.
Opposition in Nigeria has weakened due to the
absence of a defined ideology. We have seen
members of the opposition jump from party to party
without any ideological framework. The only constant
feature is the lust for power. As a result we do not
have a formidable opposition that can make a
difference politically.
The recent merger of several political parties to form
the All Progressive Congress (APC) was received
warmly with great expectations. At last the vibrant
opposition has arrived! So we thought! How wrong
we were! Most Nigerians expected a strong
opposition that would mobilize Nigerians behind
them. We expected an opposition devoid of pettiness
and cheap blackmail. We expected an opposition that
would be defined by principles and ideals. We
expected an opposition that would present a clear
cut, well defined, and practicable alternative to the
present. We expected a credible opposition based on
principles. To say the APC dashed our hopes is an
understatement. APC missed the opportunity to
stand out as the new national umbrella. All we hear is
” Give us Power”. But what are you going to do
differently? What are your plans? Nigerians need to
know what agenda you have before they give you
power.
The PDP has been in power since 1999. As expected
some Nigerians have some reservations on the
performance of PDP. This is not unexpected
considering the fact that the Party has been in power
for fifteen years now. But the pertinent question is,
what will APC do differently? APC has refused to tell
Nigerians what they have in stock for us. Instead they
are over driven by the lust for power without a
defined agenda. Mere criticizing the incumbent
without proffering solutions is grossly inadequate.
What Nigerians are waiting to hear is the action plan
of APC. Does any Nigerian know how the opposition
would tackle this insurgency? Does anyone know
their plans to create jobs? Does anyone know their
plans to fight corruption? What about Education,
Power, Healthcare? The list is endless. If the
opposition wants to be taken seriously by Nigerians,
first it needs to go back to the drawing board and
define the agenda. Then communicate the agenda to
Nigerians and allow Nigerians to decide who governs
them in a free and fair election. At the moment the
present opposition style of chasing shadows leaving
the substance behind has played to the advantage of
the incumbent.
It is either the opposition steps up the game by
addressing issues, not personalities, or forget the
2015 Elections. As long as the opposition continues to
chase shadows, the incumbent would have an easy
ride come 2015.
Finally Nigeria should re-elect President Jonathan
because of the present circumstances of security
challenges, which the President is working hard to
contain and defeat. Put differently, the country is in a
state of war with terrorists, and we cannot change
the Commander-in-Chief in the middle of the war. In
fact it would be morally wrong for Mr. Jonathan to
abandon ship halfway down the sail without
achieving total victory against the terrorists. We
should therefore rally round the President in
solidarity and defeat the terrorists. The prevailing
opinion in Nigeria and the Diaspora is that President
Jonathan should hang on and fight these insurgents
to the very end. Let us therefore renew his mandate
on the 14th of February, 2015.
God bless Nigeria.

[size=28pt]where are the chibok girls?[/size]

Nigerians will decide on the 14th of feBUHARI.

vote Jonathan?


God forbid!!!!

well stated! Dis are achieved because of hardwork but Nigerians wants miracle! Dem go cry come here again!

I need Jonathan to talk about security, let him emphasis on this topic on his campaign, stop accusing apc about your failure.

I would have read the article but you cannot properly paragraph your article. Clueless as the jerk of a president.

You need a medical attention because you are sick

arsetalks:
I would have read the article but you cannot properly paragraph your article. Clueless as the jerk of a president.

I was expecting that from some peeps. U dnt have to display your animalistic nature here. Its actually not mandatory U say smthing. Sweep yaslf away from this thread.

ganagagi:
You need a medical attention because you are sick

and U are OK?

kepal99:
I was expecting that from some peeps. U dnt have to display your animalistic nature here. Its actually not mandatory U say smthing. Sweep yaslf away from this thread.

Ode. Omo jerk.

Instead of you to write in proper readable format you didn't and won't take correction. You know why you not getting comments? There must be a reason.

arsetalks:
Ode. Omo jerk.

Instead of you to write in proper readable format you didn't and won't take correction. You know why you not getting comments? There must be a reason.

idiot, U shldnt have made a comment. We post write ups (information) to enlighten. If you are not comfortable with the information, oppose or give constructive criticizm. And if you can't give either, just pass by.

arsetalks:
Ode. Omo jerk.

Instead of you to write in proper readable format you didn't and won't take correction. You know why you not getting comments? There must be a reason.

idiot, U shldnt have made a comment. We post write ups (information) to enlighten not to get comments. If you are not comfortable with the information, oppose or give constructive criticizm. And if you can't give either, just pass by. U really need not be a pest. Shuushuuu fly away

diluminati:
[size=28pt]where are the chibok girls?[/size]

am sure even the president feels the pain the families of those girls feel, directly or indirectly. We all know he has tried his best in making sure they are returned to their families. Has buhari come out to condemn what his supporters did in 2011, as a result of the comments he made till date? Has he given us reasons why he jailed innocent citizens during his tenure as head of state?