President Goodluck Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan, in his goodwill message towards Saturday’s Eid-El-Kabir celebration, stated that he was still deciding on an appropriate response to calls for him to run for the presidency in 2015.
Mr. Jonathan stated that his administration had done its best to carry out its agenda in the last four years.
He thanked all those, “in recognition and appreciation of our efforts and commitment,” who have urged him to run for a second term.
“In deciding on an appropriate response to such calls, I will place the greater interests of national harmony, cohesion, unity, security, political stability, progress, equity, justice and fairness above any personal ambition or sectional agenda,” the president said.
He said with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s issuance of a formal notice of the impending general elections this week, he was urging all political leaders in the country to place the overriding interest of the well-being and progress of Nigeria above all.
“Let us all rise above unedifying, unpatriotic and selfish personal interests and divisive sectional agenda in the coming national elections. Let us also commit ourselves more to the sustenance of democracy and political stability which are essential prerequisites for the advancement of good governance, inclusive economic growth and rapid development,” he said.
He noted the critical challenges Nigeria still faced despite “the significant progress we have made in the past four years,” saying, “I am convinced, however, that if we persevere and continue to build diligently on what the present administration has achieved, we will surely overcome all hindrances and fully establish a stronger, more united and prosperous nation that meets the aspirations and yearnings of all of our people.”
He congratulated those who had successfully undertaken the hajj in 2014, and called on Nigerians to join them in offering special prayers for greater security, peace, unity and progress in the country.
“As we celebrate the Eid-El-Kabir, let us also rededicate and commit ourselves to the Holy Prophet’s injunctions of piety, honesty, charity and generosity to the less privileged, impartial leadership and true justice for all. These virtues and lessons will surely stand our nation in good stead as we continue our journey towards the fulfilment of our founding fathers’ vision of a great nation,” he said.
He also prayed for safe journey back home for those still in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
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