President Goodluck Jonathan has reminded members of his Presidential campaign organization that people in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are democrats and not hooligans and not destroyers.
“You must always remember that we are a party of democrats, not a party of hooligans. We are a party of patriots, not a party of renegades. We are a party of statesmen and women. We are a party of builders, not destroyers. We are a party of committed servants of the people. You must let our people see once again, that we are in this to serve and to move Nigeria forward, not to move Nigeria backwards.”
Speaking to the PDP family as he inaugurated his campaign organization in Abuja today, Jonathan said that the forthcoming elections will mark a critical point in the nation’s history, adding that the eyes of the international community are focused on the transition that lies ahead of the country. He described the elections as the fifth post-military rule general elections that will be conducted under a civilian dispensation in Nigeria.
He reminded Nigerians that the world would be asking whether Nigeria can get it right?
“My categorical response to that is: Yes, we must. And surely, we will. It is your duty to ensure that through your campaigns, and activities, this primary objective is not lost.”
President Jonathan vowed that his government’s commitment to free, fair, credible, and violence-free elections remains unshaken, adding: that should also be your own commitment as we go to the field to seek the people’s mandate once again.
“In the coming campaigns and elections, we must see to it that Nigeria triumphs, and that democracy wins. No other cause can be greater than the Nigerian cause. Without Nigeria, there will be no President.
“We have an obligation to consolidate our democracy, strengthen our institutions and project Nigeria positively by running a disciplined, issues-based and civilized campaign. That is my charge to you all.”
Jonathan told members of the campaign organisation that they were invited to serve PDP in recognition of their loyalty, dedication, commitment to the democratic cause, and their outstanding individual talents.
He was convinced that not only are they up to the task individually or as a team, but that they also have all that it takes- the passion, intellect, drive, commitment, and the know-how to run a focused, robust and purposeful campaign that will further endear the party’s ticket to the electorate and bring it victory once again.
“Many of you are tested veterans of political campaigns. As we embark formally on the campaigns for our re-election, our party, the People’s Democratic Party will depend on you.
“I am also personally counting on you. I ask you to take on this assignment for your great party, for Goodluck Jonathan and Namadi Sambo, and also, more importantly, for the country as a whole.”
President Jonathan reminded PDP members that they have an obligation to consolidate the nation’s democracy, strengthen its institutions and project Nigeria positively by running a disciplined, issues-based and civilized campaign.
“That is my charge to you all,” he stressed, adding: I am especially inspired by the positive energy, the optimism, and the enthusiasm among our party leaders and members. There may be issues arising from the party primaries, which have led to some of our members expressing grievances, but this is the time for all of us to come together and work as one family. At the end of the day, every one of us will be useful in one way or the other.
“I call on all party members to stand as one in the face of the assignment ahead of us. Losing a party primary should not result in a loss of faith in the party. No election should be a do or die contest. Whatever grievances we have can be resolved within the family and will be resolved. There is a job to be done, and all loyal members of our great party must play their expected roles.
“I urge members of the Presidential Campaign Organization to go round the country, propagating our message of transformation and continuity.
“I urge you to fully mobilise all the party faithful in every ward and every district to work for the victory we require to take our agenda for national transformation forward to a successful conclusion for the benefit of present and future generations of Nigerians.”
Jonathan in confident that PDP had everything that it takes to run an excellent and victorious campaign, saying that the party had demonstrated to Nigerians that it has what he called broadest appeal.
“We are the strongest and the biggest. We have engaged the people of Nigeria positively with people-friendly policies, which have moved Nigeria forward.
“We have sustained the democratic tradition. We have strengthened democratic institutions. We inherited a rather complex security challenge but we are waging a determined war against it. “We are succeeding in preventing terrorists and insurgents from turning more of our communities into enclaves for their dastardly activities.
“We remain fully committed to further empowering the security agencies to enable them win the war against terror. We have proven to the people that we are a party and a team that they can rely upon.
“In the last four years, despite the security challenges we have had to contend with, Nigeria, under our watch, has made significant strides in every aspect. Our economy today is the largest and the strongest in the African continent, and a preferred destination for foreign direct investment.
“We have focused on job creation and the expansion of opportunities for our teeming youth as well as interventions to promote Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises.” [myad]
