[size=14pt]Jonathan declaration: live updates[/size]
September 18, 2010 12:14PM

1200: Another PDP stalwart, Bamanga Tukur, delivers his own opening remarks; says President Jonathan has "given Nigerians hope that governance can work." Solomon Lar is also in the crowd as is Vincent Ogbulafor, the deposed PDP chairman. David Mark, current senate president and a military governor under Babangida, is here to lend support.


1151: The compere reminds the crowd that Mr. Jonathan holds a PHD and therefore has "knowledge and experience." He goes on to deliver a roll-call of all the governors in attendance. Mr. Saraki definitely not in attendance. President Jonathan really looks keen to start things proper and looks at his watch several times.


1145: Dalhatu Tafida, former Senator from kaduna, delivers the opening remarks. Lauds the President as a man of transformation and change. He says since the president came in to power he used to buy a drum of diesel each month but no longer buys up to one drum.

1142: Everyone at attention. Time for the National Anthem,

1130: The President finally gets to his seat as his entire CV is read out to the crowd. He looks eager to get things started. The jingle of the day is "We don tire for bad luck, we want Goodluck." All the PDP governors appear to be there. Still no sign of Mr. Saraki.

1128: President Jonathan begins walking towards the podium alongside his wife and the vice-president. The Kwara state governor, Bukola Saraki, appears to be conspicuously absent amongst the governors who just came in.

1125: Jonathan Zwingina leads the Islamic prayers and asks God to ensure a PDP win and also to bless Nigeria with leaders who do not steal.


1122: Opening prayers start.

1120: President Goodluck Jonathan arrives in Eagles Square in a bus with state governors.


1115: Some soundbites:

Bala Muhammed: Goodluck is a genuine inspiration to Nigerians irrespective of their bckground and we are very proud of him

Yayale Ahmed: "We thank God for everything"

Barnabas Gemade: " I'm highly delighted to see this mammoth crowd. he and Sambo are producing a good team. This will be a government of transformation."

Joseph Wayas: "What you can see in Eagle square represents what Nigerians are feeling. The candidature of Goodluck Jonathan is a popular one"

Don Etiebet: "Nigerians are ready for a new Nigeria. We have been walloing in the past and this is a new dawn. For the little period he has been here there has been a lot of transformation in power and finance."

Namadi Sambo: " We have come to make a statement to Nigerians that we have arrived. Let the opposition know today that come 2011 we will remain in Aso Rock."

Defence minister; I am happy that Nigerians have bought into the vision and I hope it gets better. Jonathan is for Transformation and stability.

Petroleum minister: I don't think Nigeria has seen this kind of crowd in a long time. I shows how much the people want him. Nigeria needs a leader that will give them their desire.

Information minister: Nigeria needs a young leader like the Obamas of this world. It will be tragic for Nigerians to allow those responsible for our past failures to come back and lead us.

Ima Niboro : The turn out is excellent: this is the man Nigeria has been waiting for and it is obviou

1105: As we wait for the President to arrive, a quick word on the traffic situation around town. In one word: gridlock. All the hotels in the city are also fully booked. There is no single room available. Yesterday evening it took about three hours just to drive in to the Transcorp Hilton hotel.

1100: The female compere appears to be reading out recharge card numbers to the crowd. Get your phones ready,

1056: The Vice-president, Namadi Sambo has arrived in a motorcade. Most of the senators and National Assembly members are also taking their seats.

1055: All of the big wigs are trying to force their way into the VIP section which is causing a lot of unsightly scenes, lots of pushing and struggling. So far the security are managing to keep it under control. Many of the affronted agbada wearing guests are having to make other seating arrangements.

1040: Ojo Madueke, former foreign minister, arrives wearing a bizarre jumps suit which really needs to be seen to be believed. He is closely followed by the wives of the PDP governors and their deputies. The First lady has also arrived and taken her seat on the podium.

1030: Remember the PDP spokesman who said that the National Executive Council are "supposed to be neutral?" Well someone must have missed the memo. All the party leaders are arriving here. Okweselize Nwodo, et al are here to show their support. Significantly, none of them attended the Babangida declaration on Wednesday.

1004: Two more interesting faces in the crowd: Jerry Gana is here lending support to the Jonathan campaign. Mr. Gana was of course appointed chairman of Mass Mobilisation for Social and Economic Recovery under the Babangida regime and was subsequently a minister. His presence here means that it is unlikely that he will be supporting his old boss.

Femi Otedola is also here making his first public appearance in two months after the attempt on his life in July. The oil magnate had been on a self-imposed exile in America since the incident.

NEXT had previously revealed that Mr. Otedola is one of the chief bank-rollers of the President Jonathan campaign.

0959: Also spotted in the crowd are Matthew Tawo Mbu (former foreign minister) Pius Anyim (former senate president), Jonathan Zwingina (former Senator from Adamawa) Ibrahim Mantu (former Deputy Senate President) and Mohammed Abba Aji.



0945: As expected, most of the members of the Federal Executive Council are already showing up and taking their seats.

0933: An interesting banner by one of the President's supporters reads: "Goodluck darling, I will never let you go until you take me to the promised land. N.B. Sorry Dame Patience for sharing him with you. Signed The Goodluckers"

0915: President Jonathan's aide-de-camp arrives ahead of him to perform security checks on the area the president will sit.

0911: All 36 states of the federation are represented by delegations dressed in traditional attire. The ceremony is already laden with colour. There are lots of paramedics on view, each wearing pink reflector jackets to ensure that all medical emergencies are attended to.

0900: the Eagle square already close to capacity two hours before President Jonathan's official declaration ceremony kicks off. Security is heavy with armed guards everywhere.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5620584-146/jonathandeclaration_live_updates.csp

A liar is on the stage now!, Pius Anyiam says he is representing and speaking onbehalf of the south-east . Chei! . This man is based in Abuja and cant even remember the last time he was in the SE. Lord b our saviour

1220: Pius Anyim is next and screams himself hoarse appealing for support from the South eastern zone and Igbos in particular.

1216: Isa Mohammed the former ambassador, speaking on behalf of North West zone, delivers his plaudits but is reminded that he and future speakers should limit their speeches to two minutes. Isa Mohammed is yet another old Babangida ally having served as governor of Gongola state between 1987 and 1989.

1212: Barnabas Gemade takes the stage as light rain begins to fall

. . .Showers of blessing!

Nobody dey make sense for that stage! I need a bomb!

y are dey bringing al dis lairs on stage to speak(Tony Anenih), nd beside its all does militant boizz wey plenty for der

youngmonie:

y are dey bringing al dis lairs on stage to speak(Tony Anenih), nd beside its all does militant boizz wey plenty for der

My brother, these rogues no get anything to tell us. same ol Sh*t.

ohh boi is it dbanj im hearing singing !!!

Not a single almajiri in sight as witnessed in "someones declaration!"

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[size=49pt]Goodluck Nigeria![/size]
The big gun has come out, all pretenders, go and hide.

1229: Anieite Okon, a senator, represents the South-South and calls for the constituents to recognise their son in the coming election.

1225: Former Ondo state governor, Olusegun Agagu, speaks on behalf of the South-West zone and the Yorubas. The format of the guest speakers is similar to the Babangida rally who also invited a speaker from each geopolitical zone. Unsurprisingly there is less emphasis on zoning today than there was on Wednesday.

@Poster (Beaf)

You have been unmasked! You are a pro-Jonathan man !. Nairaland should be a place for x-raying these would b leaders. And I think the time for scoring never reach cos NONE of them has really convinced us.

1 question for you. Does the smiling faces on the stage at eagle square now represent the true reality(face) of Nigeria?

1239: Musical interlude as Onyeka Onwenu, singer, actress and politician, performs a specially written song: "Run Jonathan Run." It is quite upbeat and the crooner engages the audience by dancing. The President looks quite impressed and can't help but tap his feet in unison.

1237: The drizzle stops as the compere says that thanks to Goodluck the rain has now stopped

Atta boy!

Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. 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. . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . .Jonathan. . . 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^

You have been unmasked! You are a pro-Jonathan man !. Nairaland should be a place for x-raying these would b leaders. And I think the time for scoring never reach cos NONE of them has really convinced us.

1 question for you. Does the smiling faces on the stage at eagle square now represent the true reality(face) of Nigeria?

My friend you'd be there waiting for convictions the man would be marching into Aso rock in 2011, keep on waitng, THOMAS

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why did he dress like this?

[img][/img] 2011

janus05:

@Poster (Beaf)

You have been unmasked! You are a pro-Jonathan man !. Nairaland should be a place for x-raying these would b leaders. And I think the time for scoring never reach cos NONE of them has really convinced us.

1 question for you. Does the smiling faces on the stage at eagle square now represent the true reality(face) of Nigeria?

The same beaf came in here at the height of MEND saga to beaf for them unreasonably,now he has switched his ellegiance to jonathan without genuine reasons.

His priciples are like bubbles,it has no weight,a typical nigerian

@ileke-idi

that's an old pic, he isn't dressed like that at the grounds

make Jonathan Talk nowwwwww. let him talk to Nigerians. They are dancing n jubilating there while Nigerians are yearning for change.

1259: Another Dbanj song is played across the speakers: "Se na like dis we go dey dey?" The artist himself is not there it should be noted.

1254: Josephine Anenih, minister of women affairs, takes the stage with a rendition of "If you see my Mama, Hosanna, tell am say, I dey with Goodluck" She addresses the women and youth in the crowd speaking in pidgin English. She tells them that the President has given key positions to many women in his cabinet. She ends by singing: "We don win o, we don win."

Jonathan can not bring the change that nigeria needs with him aiding and abating corruption.He is part of what we need to change in nigeria,grossly irresponsible individuals

Fuel just finnished 4 my Generator. Now I might not be able to hear Jonathan when he makes his speech. They left the real thing and have been showing us a concert for hours. People bereft of ideas

@Janus05

The cartoon you posted is classic and even eloquent.

1303: A rousing address from Aisha Aliyu delivered entirely in Hausa with smatterings of pidgin English. One of the most emphatic addresses given thus far.

1310: A collection of Nigerian female entertainers led by Weird MC performs an engaging dance number. There is a large emphasis on female performers thus far, echoing the words of the last speaker who said "women have never had it so good."

@ janus05

take a bold step with a rope if u cant use rat poison

1322: A representative of the Grand coalition party, an amalgam of 46 smaller parties, affirms that they have declined to present a candidate for the Presidential elections. They will lend support to President Jonathan he says.

1320: A representative of the corporate forum of Nigeria steps on stage to endorse the President

@ Dede1

The cartoon you posted is classic and even eloquent.

all loosers are blind but not all blinds are loosers.

GOODLUCK GOODLUCK GOODLUCK GOODLUCK GOODLUCK GOODLUCK GOODLUCK

Watching the programme now. A few observations:
1, I like Bukola Saraki's absence. He has been able to demonstrate he is a man of his own. A couple of days ago, 18 northern govs met, 10 voted anti-GEJ, 8 for. But today even the pro-zoning, anti-GEJ northern guvs are also here, obviously out of fear of GEJ. Bukola Saraki shows he doesn't send.
2, Sokoto governor Wammakko refused to wear RC-GEJ hat like other guvs. Obviously, a number of govs there are just doing eye-service. They are not for GEJ.
3, It is glaring that the Hausa factor in Nigerian politics cannot be shoved aside. Ignore Hausa at your own peril. More than any other language, Hausa appears to be the 'official language' of this GEJ declaration. This is an obvious attempt to impress the northerners, given the fact that Hausa people don't joke with their language
4, Much as I don't want him, it is becoming more glaring that GEJ is an aspirant to beat

Solomon227:

@ janus05

take a bold step with a rope if u cant use rat poision

@Solomon227

Always disrespectful as always. Dont preach abt boldness from the shields of the web. See the light bro

In as much as i suport IBB , by what im seeingg, looks like  that guy has got pdp ticket, buh all di poiticins cannot be trusted, dey can be der supporting him now  nd den dey vote for some1 else in primaries