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!
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