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

Vanguard Newspaper of February 1, 2011

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/02/i-ll-not-contest-2015-election-jonathan/

Waiting for response frm the delusional supporters of Goatluck Edewe Jonathan, at d same time 1st to comment and dancing Azonto......

"A man who's words cannot be trusted is wortless" - An African Saying.

We all know what he promised us, he has not fulfill d promises of power supply, good roads, electoral reforms, security, employments and corruption. Why do u expect him to fulfill d promise of one term in office. A liar is always a liar.

midep: Waiting for response frm the delusional supporters of Goatluck Edewe Jonathan, at d same time 1st to comment and dancing Azonto......

A man can pitch his tent with whoever he wants. You have no right to call them names because of who they support. Mtcheewwww.

GEJ is not the first politician to change his mind with regards to seeking re-election. Its common place when you factor in influence from his community, friends, beneficiaries and psycofants. Even God changed his mind concerning Hezekiah why can't GEJ do same? I beg to say that this thread is utterly useless and inspired by mischief. Why is everyone scared of GEJ re-contesting? Its cowardly! They all panic whenever his 2015 intentions is brought up yet they call him weak and dull. If he is really dull and weak, defeat him at d polls!!! Gawwd! Una dey vex me oooo. I'm not Jonathan's fan by the way, just amazed @d panic GEJ's re-election bid is causing!

abubello:

“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.”

Words on marble!

There is even honour among thieves.

I beg dat fisherman pikin go pissy joor. Na who im de lie for? He no go contest dtz Y dem de do DO or DIE affairs 4 PDP.
Bt make e no worry papa God don hear, he wnt contest come 2015

Why are Northerners so bent on Preventing GEJ frm contesting 2015 general election? how many of us can beat our chest n say we have not done something we swore not to do again? He without sin shld cast d 1st stone.

Come to think of it, GEJ has nt even said he wld contest d 2015 election.
Now, d question is: why are they so scared?

eightsin: how many of us can beat our chest n say we have not done something we swore not to do again?

As an individual that knows what he's doing, you should not change your mind so easily about very critical assignments. Go and watch people that do that and see whether they are successful.

Caleboha: GEJ is not the first politician to change his mind with regards to seeking re-election. Its common place when you factor in influence from his community, friends, beneficiaries and psycofants. Even God changed his mind concerning Hezekiah why can't GEJ do same? I beg to say that this thread is utterly useless and inspired by mischief. Why is everyone scared of GEJ re-contesting? Its cowardly! They all panic whenever his 2015 intentions is brought up yet they call him weak and dull. If he is really dull and weak, defeat him at d polls!!! Gawwd! Una dey vex me oooo. I'm not Jonathan's fan by the way, just amazed @d panic GEJ's re-election bid is causing!

1. Don't bring in the concept of a God that changes His Mind. It is one of the fault-lines of religion and cannot be reconciled with His Omniscience.

2. A leader that changes his mind must be honest enough to admit it and humble enough to tell his followers the compelling reason(s). What has changed between the time he made the firm and clear promise and now? Influence from friends and sycophants?

3. Has Jonathan fulfilled the promises he voluntarily made regarding power, security and transportation? Yes or No?

4. From 2 and 3 above, do you think he has the moral authority to contest in 2015? Note that we are not talking about his constitutional right here. Also note that for a leader, moral authority should be rated highly.

pukkah:
3. Has Jonathan fulfilled the promises he voluntarily made regarding power, security and transportation? Yes or No?

I wouldn't say entirely bt he has done considerably well in such a short time coupled with the saboteurs in his administration who are bent on seeing him fail... Lets gv him a 2nd term if he wants it.

I remember a very popular second term serving governor who consistently boasted he wasn't going for a second term cos Only students who fail repeat classes .

Jamb Question: Who is that governor and whose party platform is he flying his flag ?

jmaine: I remember a very popular second term serving governor who consistently boasted he wasn't going for a second term cos Only students who fail repeat classes .

Jamb Question: Who is that governor and whose party platform is he flying his flag ?

Hehe!! Gov Oshomole of Edo State n he is flyin d APC flag. But not withstanding... He performed well n d ppl of Edo state wanted him.

eightsin:

I wouldn't say entirely bt he has done considerably well in such a short time coupled with the saboteurs in his adminitration who are bent on seeing him fail... Lets gv him a 2nd term if he wants it.

1. Short time? He knew it was going to be 4 years and made his clear and voluntary promises based on 4 years. No? Let;s even ignore his Acting President days.

2. Saboteurs? Are they a new feature in our system? Haven't they always existed? What happened to his experience as a deputy governor, governor, VP and Acting President before he made the promises? I thought his clear and unambiguous promises were made after considering the ever-present 'saboteur factor'. I don't want to believe that he lied or didn't do his homework well before making such critical promises.

3. Give him a second term if he wants? And what if he doesn't want it? We would start hunting for another person? Can you see the way they (you) are using Nigeria to play roulette?

Isn't that d same thing all other politicians say when seeking election 4 d first time. So far it does not violate d constitution of d country he has a right to re-contest only that he should go abt it d right way.

eightsin:

Hehe!! Gov Oshomole of Edo State n he is flyin d APC flag. But not withstanding... He performed well n d ppl of Edo state wanted him.

Wrong answer for the identity of the governor, but you got the party right . .

Make una leave dis guy Jooor. The pple u r Insinuating to us are far worse!

Rhemar: Isn't that d same thing all other politicians say when seeking election 4 d first time. So far it does not violate d constitution of d country he has a right to re-contest only that he should go abt it d right way.

Do you care to give examples of such? Isn't there a difference between constitutional and moral authority? Does this difference matter for a true leader?

Happywoman: Make una leave dis guy Jooor. The pple u r Insinuating to us are far worse!

We should simply move on in a typical Nigerian fashion without address the issues?

Which other people are they insinuating?

PuKkah:
3. Give him a second term if he wants? And what if he doesn't want it? We would start hunting for another person? Can you see the way they (you) are using Nigeria to play roulette?

using Nigeria to play roulette? Are u srz?
Now,lemme ask u... Who wld u rada have to fill d seat in Aso rock cum 2015?

which administration xcept d time of d civil war wld u say av faced dis kind of saboteurs?

eightsin:

using Nigeria to play roulette? Are u srz?
Now,lemme ask u... Who wld u rada have to fill d seat in Aso rock cum 2015?

which administration xcept d time of d civil war wld u say av faced dis kind of saboteurs?

You did not address my issues.

For now, I am not interested in who replaces him. Let's discuss the fact that his word is not his bond first.

What do you mean by saboteurs? The antics of other politicians? That has been present in every government.

jmaine:

Wrong answer for the identity of the governor, but you got the party right . .

Gov. Oshomole made a statement similar to that.

Kindergarten President of Mumudom!!

The beauty of this whole struggle is, should GEJ decide to contest the 2015 presidential elections, he can't be a consensus candidate either in PDP primaries or the general election.

We Nigerians still have a choice of throwing him away come 2015 if his services fail to satisfy the majority.

Let's chill, we still have time to critically assess him using standard marking scheme before declaring the result and where to pitch our tents come 2015.

Nothing wrong in him contesting ASiIDE the realizationthat his words cannot be trusted!

What is really wrong is that IF HE WANTS TO CONTEST, he should allow everyone lese also to contest - what his internal party opposition is fighting is the "automatic" ticket!

None of them seems afraid of him - but why is he afraid to contest open primaries? Stand against Lamido or Atiku or whoever in open primaries, simple!

Pukkah:

You did not address my issues.

For now, I am not interested in who replaces him. Let's discuss the fact that his word is not his bond first.

What do you mean by saboteurs? The antics of other politicians? That has been present in every government.

His word is nt his bond? I knw his tenure has nt ended neither has he declared intention for a 2nd tenure yet.

U cnt posibly b ignorant of these set of persons who have sworn to make d country ungovabl either directly or indirectly. Lets face fact here...u n i knw so many northerners n even some westerners don't want someone from the minority to b in Aso Rock. They don't see anything good in his govrnce bt easily identifies his flaws n criticise without giving solutions.


Come to think of it...why won't u b interested in who occupies the presidential seat cum 2015 but your soul aim is dat GEJ does not occupy it? Don't tell me you're one of dos ppl dat blv some group or tribe are born to rule.

Nothing wrong in him contesting ASiIDE the realizationthat his words cannot be trusted!

What is really wrong is that IF HE WANTS TO CONTEST, he should allow everyone else also to contest - what his internal party opposition is fighting is the "automatic" ticket!

None of them seems afraid of him - but why is he afraid to contest open primaries? Stand against Lamido or Atiku or whoever in open primaries, simple!

eightsin:

Gov. Oshomole made a statement similar to that.

Really !!! The statement was attributed to non other than the consistently touted Next President of Nigeria in waiting. . . .

His Excellency Gov Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN)

Eko oni baje ooo . .

eightsin:

His word is nt his bond? I knw his tenure has nt ended neither has he declared intention for a 2nd tenure yet.

U cnt posibly b ignorant of these set of persons who have sworn to make d country ungovabl either directly or indirectly. Lets face fact here...u n i knw so many northerners n even some westerners don't want someone from the minority to b in Aso Rock. They don't see anything good in his govrnce bt easily identifies his flaws n criticise without giving solutions.


Come to think of it...why won't u b interested in who occupies the presidential seat cum 2015 but your soul aim is dat GEJ does not occupy it? Don't tell me you're one of dos ppl dat blv some group or tribe are born to rule.

You still haven't addressed my issues.

Pukkah:

1. Short time? He knew it was going to be 4 years and made his clear and voluntary promises based on 4 years. No? Let's even ignore his Acting President days.

2. Saboteurs? Are they a new feature in our system? Haven't they always existed? What happened to his experience as a deputy governor, governor, VP and Acting President before he made the promises? I thought his clear and unambiguous promises were made after considering the ever-present 'saboteur factor'. I don't want to believe that he lied or didn't do his homework well before making such critical promises.

3. Give him a second term if he wants? And what if he doesn't want it? We would start hunting for another person? Can you see the way they (you) are using Nigeria to play roulette?

Obasanjo faced stiff opposition from the South West. Yes or No? Sharia came up during his reign. Were there any allegations of born to rule or ethnicity then?

Yar'Adua was attacked and called names like 'Yaradull'. Reuben Abati even wrote then that people asked for 'Yar'adua' at local restaurants anytime they wanted 'snail'! Boko Haram surfaced during Yar'Adua's rule. Was there any allegations of tribalism then?

Today, you guys are lampooning the Northerners, attacking Amaechi and calling him a traitor; you conveniently forget that some Northern governors are supporting Jonathan! Even Shema who is from Katsina (Yar'Adua's home state) is at present supporting Jonathan. That of Bauchi (Yuguda) is also supporting him, etc. Bamanga Tukur is supporting him. I'm yet to hear Northerners refer to their governors supporting Jonathan as traitors.

The same Northern governors supported Jonathan against Buhari and Atiku. Yet, you still abuse them and call them unprintable names.

Why then do you still mouth 'born to rule' and all those divisive statements? Why not look at Jonathan based on merit? Why are you whipping up sentiments?

Did Jonathan promise to spend one term or not? Yes or no?

Why is the FG deploying instruments of the state to frustrate or attack perceived opponents of Jonathan or any other person that may have a presidential ambition?

jmaine:

Really !!! The statement was attributed to non other than the consistently touted Next President of Nigeria in waiting. . . .

His Excellency Gov Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN)

Eko oni baje ooo . .

Proof please.

nuclearboy:
None of them seems afraid of him - but why is he afraid to contest open primaries? Stand against Lamido or Atiku or whoever in open primaries, simple!

Its rather the opposite...they are afraid of him that's why they want him to step down. Has GEJ made any attempt to stop Atiku,Lamido n whoeva frm participating in d 2015 PDP presidential primaries?