President Goodluck Jonathan, on Tuesday in Abuja, declared his intention to contest the 2015 presidential election, with a promise to eradicate corruption from all sectors of the nation`s economy.
The President formally declared his intention before a mammoth crowd made up of pro- Jonathan support groups, PDP stakeholders, market women and Civil Society Organisations at the Eagle Square in Abuja on Tuesday.
Jonathan said he accepted to contest the election following the calls by many Nigerians for him to re-contest the presidency in 2015 and after seeking and hearing from God.
It will be recalled that the National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had earlier endorsed Jonathan as the party`s sole candidate for the 2015 presidential election.
This followed the adoption of Jonathan as the party`s sole presidential candidate for the election by the Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum and other organs of the party.
“History has shown that the part of honour for any true leader is not to walk away from his people in moments of challenges.
“We must come together in adversity and overcome all threats to our development.
“After seeking the face of God, in quiet reflection with my family and after listening to the calls of our people nationwide to run, I have accepted to present myself to run’’, the President said.
He, however, said that although his administration had since its inception impacted positively on all sectors of the nation`s economy, there was still much to be done to take the country to the next level of development.
He thanked Nigerians for their continued support and encouragement which he said had brought him this far.
“So many things had inspired me in the journey to this moment; I thank all Nigerians and the Market Women Association who encourage me by committing some funds to support me.
“In the same vain, I am touched by the National Association of Widows who also encouraged me with their widows might; this labour of love from ordinary Nigerians has increased my appreciation of your solidarity.
“It has also increased my trust in our joint destiny and all that we have achieved together this past three and half years’’, the President said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that major stakeholders from the six geopolitical zones of the country took time to speak on behalf of their people at the occasion.
While Chief Bode George spoke for the South-West, Alhaji Hassan Adamu spoke for the North East zone.
Adamu maintained that Jonathan had fulfilled his promises of boosting education in the region with the approval of two universities in Potiskum and Wukari.
He added that the President had connected the region with rail tracks from Bauchi.
Representative of the North West, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, said the PDP would poll 80 per cent votes for the President in 2015.
Former Gov. Peter Odili of Rivers, on behalf of South-south zone, said the region had absolute trust and confidence in the capability of Jonathan to ensure better living standard for all Nigerians.
Prof. Jerry Gana, on behalf of the North Central, said Jonathan was a catalyst of development who had rejuvenated rail tracks, transformed the power sector, and ensured good governance in the country.
Former Senate President Ken Nnamani pointed out that the successes recorded by Jonathan called for continuity.
He added that the interest of the South-East was fully captured in the Jonathan presidency.
Nnamani held that the second Niger Bridge initiated by the President Jonathan was underway,