Few weeks are left before the
presidential elections in Nigeria. And it is a
period for candidates to assure Nigerians that
they deserve this position.
Incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan is
not an exclusion. Jonathan is in the limelight,
as his administration has been both criticized
and praised for performance in the office.
Still, what should Nigerians expect from from
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and GEJ’s
second term? Specifically, what did President
Jonathan promise in the course of his
campaign?
1. To uncover failures of ex-leaders
Just at the very start, at the inauguration of
the Goodluck/Sambo 2015 Presidential
Campaign Organisation (PCO) , Jonathan
vowed to expose the failings of Nigeria’s
former leaders, and reinstate his
administration’s commitment to the national
interests.
“When we start campaigns, we will confront
them with what we have done as a
government, we will tell them what they did
not do when they were heads of state. Some
people want to still keep these children as shoe
cleaners, we must lift them up. Our children
should not be used as cannon folders. They
should be allowed to move forward to be
governors like us.”
2. To strengthen democracy
During the widely publicized Lagos campaign,
Jonathan promised to “dialogue” with
Nigerians, thus insisting that he is focused on
advancing democratic principles in Nigeria.
And to continue fighting corruption, which is
called by critics as one of the worst sins of
Jonathan’s administration.
“We are building institutions to fight
corruption.”
3. To rely on the youth
Same Lagos rally. Jonathan praises young
Nigerians adding that they will take the
country “to the moon”. According to the
President, it is time to give way to the
younger generation.
4. To keep Nigeria intact
Mid January the National Security Adviser
and Special Adviser to President Jonathan on
inter-party affairs held a Sensitization
Workshop on Non-Violence in Abuja.
GEJ dismissed one of the most popular pre-
election assertions that Nigeria will break up
after the polls.
Hardly a promise, but more like a non-
arguable assurance that the people should not
fear the historical event. At least, President
Jonathan seems to be confident that the base
created by his administration is steady to
avoid cracks.
“Nigeria will not end.”
5. To ensure completion of the started
projects
Country’s leader paid an unscheduled visit
to to the site of the second Niger bridge
project at the Onitsha-Asaba axis .
Jonathan explained that it is important for
him to follow the progress with such big
projects. Jonathan felt special responsibility
after hearing rumours that things were not
being done properly.
“I decided that I must visit the site of the
second Niger Bridge to know the level of work
there because some people have been saying all
sorts of things, so I said I must visit the site
before coming to pay courtesy call on His
Majesty. Work is in progress on the project.”
6. To improve healthcare services
It was the success of dealing with Ebola that
added credibility to this promise. Nigeria
became a good example of the African
country that had managed to contain the
deadly virus spread.
GEJ also attributed increase in life expectancy
to the performance of his administration and
said he would continue improving the level of
living.
“And the government I head will not rest on
its oars in improving all our health indices to
make sure that Nigerians not only live longer
lives, but that we live better quality lives.”
7. To bring Boko Haram to justice
Speaking during his his New Year nationwide
broadcast GEJ touched upon one of the most
painful issues for the nation: insurgency, that
has claimed thousands of lives.
“We will bring justice to the savage terrorists
known as Boko Haram. They will be defeated.”
8. To rescue Chibok girls
Not less painful matter of the school girls
abduction during April 14, 2014, raid in
Borno.
In the course of his presidential campaign in
the state capital Maiduguri, Jonathan
promised that the children would be soon
reunited with their families.
“Whatever it takes to do this and to ensure the
return of the Chibok girls we will do. “
9. To hand over office
The Presidential Media Chat was held
February 11 , after the announced by the
Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) about the elections postponement. The
scandalous decision generated many
reactions, with some alleging that Jonathan
plotted to stay longer in the office.
However, the President insisted that he was
not afraid to lose.
“If the elections are conducted and I lose, of
course, another president would be sworn in.”
10. To develop railway links
In one of his Facebook posts, President
Jonathan disclosed his further plans, if he gets
re-elected:
“Our plan, which we intend to bring to
fruition with your support, is to link every
commercial and administrative capital in
Nigeria by rail thereby bringing our people
closer. We must continue to strengthen the
bond of our union.”
Only time will show who will emerge the
winner of the forthcoming elections and if
Goodluck Jonathan will fulfill his electoral
promises, if chosen by Nigerians on March
28. Nigeria will decide, very soon!

www.walterhowel.com/2015/02/top-10-jonathans-electoral-promises.html?m=1

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