The aftermath of President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration for 2015 presidential race.

TAIWO ADISA, examines the issues that will dominate the campaign turf in the aftermath of President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration for 2015 presidential race.

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan finally threw his hat into the ring for the 2015 presidential election on Tuesday November 11. Prior to that day, there were innuendoes, pleas and claims from different quarters. The Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), a Non-Governmental Organisation had taken it upon himself to campaign for Jonathan’s return in 2015, relying on his massive achievements as depicted in television adverts and jingles. The group also embarked on signature drive across the country, grossing some 17 million signatures from the six geopolitical zones in the process.

Notwithstanding the fact that it was becoming obvious to all that Jonathan would contest, skeptics continued to reject such an idea. Some believed that the man would somehow jettison his re-election bid by proffering some excuses. The doubts persisted till the declaration day. On that day, an Abuja based newspaper led with the story which suggested that Jonathan would postpone the 2015 declaration, while early on the D-Day, rumour mill around the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Maitama Abuja had it that the event had been postponed. The INEC team that was designated to monitor the event was said to have been thrown into confusion, with members having to work the phones to ascertain the reality.

 Skepticism attention shifted to Eagle Square where events managers had been battling to get the stage and every pin fixed up for a successful event. All roads leading to the Square were cordoned off as early as midnight Monday, while state delegates and party officials were directed to the Old Parade Ground, where clearances are to be obtained and delegates moved in specially procured buses to the venue.  The presence of security operatives at all corners of Abuja streets also left no one in doubt that a special occasion was underway. Early Tuesday morning, the usual traffic gridlock around Nyaya/Mararaba road quadrupled, as many had to trek long distances due to the intensity of security check.  At the Eagle Square proper, entertainers, Djs and Masters of Ceremony kept the ever increasing crowd busy with rendition of contemporary Nigerian music, and songs praising the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). 

Messages are passed amid the cacophony of wavering and contending voices of the crowd that threatened at all times to dwarf the booms of the loud speakers. Youths, students and women groups had a field day, just as campaigners for all manner of contestants into elective offices. A carnival for 2015 was truly in progress and no one could miss it.

President Jonathan, Vice-President Namadi Sambo, leaders of the PDP, governors, senators, honourable members and party officials at different levels all converged on the Eagle Square to witness the big day. There seemed to be no space left unoccupied at the Square as party faithful trooped in and out. As many were leaving the centre, due to the suffocating and unprecedented crowd, many were making their way into the centre of attraction.

It was a day of endorsements and short speeches. Organisers had told the Sunday Tribune that the event would not be dragged as the President had promised to arrive on time at the venue. The entire event was billed to come to a close at 2pm, it went past just be s few minutes.

One after the other, representatives of the geopolitical zones filed out to speak of their endorsement of Jonathan as the party’s presidential candidate. There were also professional bodies and other witnesses to the good work the president had done. Former President of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Peter Esele, who was one of the rare personalities to address the crowd testified that he had worked with three presidents, including Jonathan, Olusegun Obasanjo and the late Umaru Yar’Adua. He submitted that Jonathan was the most patient of all, who will rather than bully his subordinates, listen to them and accommodate their views. He said Jonathan tolerated the excesses of Labour leaders, despite their ‘Aluta’ posture. Chairman of the Declaration Committee, Dr. Haliru Bello Muhammed, told the gathering that the entire country is behind Jonathan’s 2015 bid. He said that the North-West has been well served by Jonathan’s administration, adding that the President is well placed to solve Nigeria’s problems. Dan Bello Yabo, father of one of the students of Almajri schools told the crowd that but for Jonathan his son would have remained uneducated.

Wakilin Adamawa, Alhaji Hassan Adamu, who spoke for the North-East said that the zone was calling on Jonathan to contest in 2015 so that they can show him what that they appreciate his performance.

“We have collected 5.7 million signatures of your loyal members from the North-East and we called on you to contest the 2015 elections,” he said adding that President Jonathan extended railways to Yola and created two federal universities in the zone.

There was also Professor Jerry Gana representing the North-Central, Dr. Peter Odili, representing South-South, Chief Olabode George, representing South-West, Senator Ken Nnamani representing South-East, as well as Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa who represented North-West.

Bafarawa reeled off the key positions held by his zone under Jonathan to include Vice-President, Minister of Defence, Minister of State for Finance, Minister of Special Duties, Minister of Education Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Inspector General of Police and National Security Adviser (NSA) among others. He asked: “What else are we looking for?”

All the PDP Governors as well as Deputy Governors of Nasarawa and Sokoto states were also in attendance when the party’s governors took over the podium and endorsed Jonathan. Akwa-Ibom Governor, Goodwill Akpabio, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, insisted that the party would not allow those who allegedly sponsor violence and Boko Haram take over power in 2015, adding that Jonathan remains the best man for the job. In like manner, the PDP caucus in the Senate and House of Representatives also endorsed Jonathan. Senate President David Mark, who led the National Assembly members to the podium, said that the lawmakers have resolved to support Jonathan with everything he needed to combat insurgents who are attempting to redefine the country.

Away from the series of endorsements, which included that of Vice-President Namadi Sambo, who commended Jonathan for being a worthy boss and an accommodating leader, the man of the moment had to climb the podium. He walked the Presidential route alone, unlike the scenes at previous declarations where the podium would be congested with all manner of party leaders. He spoke at length on his achievements, his pains and vision for a new Nigeria. He sought a one minute silence in memory of the students killed by Boko Haram insurgents in a bomb blast in Yobe State and promised to rescue the over 200 Chibok girls kidnapped by the insurgents.

The president presented a balance sheet that cut across the proverbial Profit and Loss Account of the Nigerian nation under his watch. He spoke with facts and figures, admitted the challenges on hand and declared his projection for the future. While acknowledging the security threats coming from the North East, he gave his score card as follows:

“To ensure the long term stability and development of the affected areas, government has launched three programmes: The Presidential Initiative for the North-East, the Victim Support Fund and the Safe School Initiative. The Presidential Initiative for the Northeast is focused on improving infrastructure and economic growth in the region.

“The Safe School Initiative is centred on creating a safe environment to encourage our children in the communities to acquire education. The Victim Support Fund, a partnership with the Private Sector, has raised about 60 billion Naira, which will help to empower and rehabilitate victims of terror. I promise the victims of these dastardly acts that we will continue to stand with you.”

On the Power Sector, the President also gave a pass mark to his government insisting that a foundation for stable power supply has been laid.

He said: “Infrastructure has been a major focus area of my administration and so, we pursued the power sector reform to this point of irreversible progress. Nigeria has undertaken a most transparent and corruption-free bidding process, attracting global commendation. The on-going 450MW Azura Power Plant in Edo State is a testimony to the success of this transformation.”

He also submitted that the government has resumed the development of our Hydro-Power potential, with the construction of the 700MW Zungeru Hydro-Power Plant, while construction work on the 3,050MW Mambilla Hydro-Power Plant is about to take off.

 The water sector is also one area the president bragged about. He said that the sector has witnessed unprecedented development under his watch adding that access to potable water now stands at 67 percent from 58 percent in 2010. He also said that his government has constructed 37 Dams and rehabilitated 10 others, while the construction of Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam being built to contain flood from Lake Nyos in Cameroon, is now at 90 per cent completion.

In the rail transport sector, the president also gave an inspiring scorecard. He said that before his administration the railway system was practically dead but that today he has revived the rail sector with the Lagos to Kano narrow gauge line already operational, while work is progressing on others including the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line, the Port Harcourt-Gombe segment as well as the branch line from Kafanchan to Kaduna.

His message on the road sector appeared the more resounding. He said that he had taken the roads from only 5,000 kilometer of motorable roads in 2010 to 25,000kms of motorable roads at present adding that the remaining 10,000kms of the 35,000kms of federal roads nationwide, are to further enjoy rehabilitation.

He further submitted: “I made a commitment to build two new major bridges across the River Niger and River Benue. Today, the new bridge over the River Benue, connecting Loko in Nassarawa State to Oweto in Benue State has reached an advanced stage of completion, while work has commenced on the Second Niger Bridge. Beyond these, my administration has concluded plans to re-commence the construction of Bodo-Bonny Road with three major bridges on the alignment that will link the Island of Bonny with Rivers mainland.

“Preliminary works have started on my administration’s planned re-construction and expansion of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road in Lagos to a world-class entry point into our country. Only a few months ago, work started on the dualization of Kano-Katsina Road. While many Nigerians are celebrating the marked improvements on our roads, I want to assure that it will get even better as we move forward.”

In the agriculture sector, President Jonathan also submitted that his government has changed agric from a development programme to business venture. He said his vision is to create wealth for the people through agriculture.

Some of the yields of his transformation in the sector include the 40 per cent drop in food imports bill from 1.1 trillion Naira in 2009 to 684 billion Naira by December 2013.

Significantly he said:  “We ended decades of corruption in the fertiliser and seed sectors. We developed a transparent and efficient system of reaching farmers directly with subsidised farm inputs. Before our reforms, fertiliser procurement and distribution took from the needy and gave to the greedy. We restored dignity back to farmers. Today, 14 million farmers, of which 2 million are women, access fertilisers with their mobile phones, through an e-wallet system. Nigeria is the first country in the world to develop an e-wallet system to reach farmers with subsidised farm inputs on their mobile phones.”

On corruption in the civil service, the president stated that his administration weeded out 56,000 ghost workers through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), thus saving the country the sum of N162 billion. Those responsible have also been handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Before going ahead to announce himself as a candidate for the election, Jonathan declared that he had kept his own side of the bargain despite the challenges.

“I am convinced that I have kept my pact with Nigerians, and it is now time to look to the future. With your tremendous support, we have collectively done so much in the last three and half years, but to take our country to the next level, there is still more to be done.

“History has shown that the path of honour for any true leader is not to walk away from his people in moments of challenges. We must stand together in adversity and overcome all threats to our development. We must defend our future, for the sake of our children.”

Going forward, he envisions a Nigeria devoid of hate and religious intolerance as well as a safe environment for all.

The president submitted: “In moving forward, I see a Nigeria that thirsts for progress with children across the nation, eager for knowledge and safely in schools!

“I see a Nigeria where all who have taken up arms, would again embrace peace!

“I see a Nigeria where our women can aspire to any heights, without hindrance!

“I see a Nigeria where the flames in the Eagles will rekindle, and the Falcons will soar higher in victory! 

“I see a Nigeria where the children of Mustapha and Namadi, do not go hungry!

“I see a Nigeria where all, no matter their beliefs, live in peace and harmony!

“I see a Nigeria where the green passport is accorded a royal reception the world over!

“I see a Nigeria where one day the next generation will take us to outer space.”

In making his declaration, however, Jonathan was not oblivious of the challenges at hand. He recognized the twin evils that had threatened the very foundation of the Nigerian nation under his administration-corruption and insurgency. In spite of all, he insisted that we must soldier on and refused to be cowed by the threats. His message attempted to preempt his opponents who have made those key issues the fulcrum of their campaign.

In Jonathan’s thinking, rather than see insurgency and corruption as a problem of the Federal Government or the President Nigerians, he insisted, most unite to vanquish these twin evils. “We will defeat terror” and clarified corruption as a cankerworm in the society.

Now that the president has thrown his hat into the ring, laying his scorecards bare, hiding nothing and refusing to pretend at the challenges, the opposition may need to redo their campaign script which so far has been centered on blaming incidences of terror on the government of the day. Perhaps, the Jonathan approach would force the 2015 contenders to shift from the blame game and lay their perceived options for national development before the people.