2015: I will not let Nigerians down, Jonathan tells Nigerians
President Goodluck Jonathan has promised not to let Nigerians down as he begins the campaign for the 2015 general elections.
The
President said this in his acceptance speech after he was ratified as
the presidential candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party at the
party’s special convention which ended in the early hours of Thursday
in Abuja.
He told
the delegates that having placed great faith in him and chosen him as
the party’s presidential candidate, he would not fail them.
The
jubilant President said, “I assure you, that I am truly
honoured tonight, to lead another electoral contest. This will be a
campaign, and an election, that will serve to consolidate our successes.
“I will give my all. I will not let you down. I will not fail the PDP. I will not fail you. Above all, I promise, I will not fail our great nation, Nigeria.”
He said that the success recorded during the convention was an indication that the party was ready for the elections.
“The PDP
is ready. Nigerians know we are ready. And today in Abuja, we begin the
next phase of our mission. Our mission is to secure Nigeria’s future,”
the president said.
The President was full of thanks to God Almighty, who he said has sustained the nation.
He
nevertheless expressed his gratitude to his deputy, Namadi Sambo, who he
described as “my brother” and his wife, saying both have provided loyal
support and commitment to the regime.
He said working with them has been a pleasure for him.
He also
added that the success recorded during his regime would not have been
possible without members of his team, which included Ministers,
Advisers, Assistants and other members of staff that he said had formed
the Transformation team.
President
Jonathan said he was aware that the contest will be stiff between him
and the opposition, but he charged the members of the ruling party to
remain focused.
He,
therefore, said he was commissioning all delegates and party faithful,
as his campaign mobilizers, and charged them to take his message of
unity and development back to their respective states and communities,
and to ensure victory for all candidates of the PDP in the forthcoming
elections.
He said,
“Our political opponents shall assail us with the fury of their
desperation to win power. They will use every means – intimidation,
false accusations, hostile media and more.
“Do not descend to their level. We must stay focused on the mission at hand – to secure Nigeria’s future.”
Before
announcing Sambo as his running mate, the President invited some leaders
of the party, including his wife, Patience to the podium.
Those he
invited were the Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu; the
Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih; the Senate
President, Senator David Mark and his wife, and Sambo and his wife.
It was after these set of people mounted the podium with him that he now said, “ I
seize the opportunity of this occasion to formally announce that as we
commence the campaign for the 2015 Presidential elections, Architect
Mohammed Namadi Sambo, a loyal and tested partner, a dependable,
trustworthy gentleman and a true patriot will be my running mate and
Vice Presidential candidate once again.”
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