four years to continue the transformation of vital sectors of the Nigerian
economy.Jonathan who officially declared his intention to run for a second term in
office at the 2015 Presidential elections at the Eagles Square Abuja
before a mammoth crowd of supporters said he is poised to eradicating
insecurity, unemployment while creating an enabling environment for the
accelerated development of the nations economy.
Below is the text of the President’s Speech during the declaration:
Dear Compatriots:
1. Four years ago, precisely September 18, 2010; I stood in this Eagle
Square, to offer myself for election as the President of our beloved
country on the platform of our great party; the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP).
2. Seven months after that declaration, you elected me to lead this
country with overwhelming support from all parts of our Nation. I remain
grateful for the trust you reposed in me to lead our Nation through
uncommon challenges in our march of progress as a united and democratic
country.
3. Over the years, the Almighty God has made it possible for me to develop
a bond with you and I am grateful for your support and understanding in
the difficult periods we have journeyed through.
4. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, our stewardship has not been
without challenges. We have had to deal with the wave of insurgency that
has swept through some parts of our dear country. Only yesterday,
Government Science Secondary School in Yobe State was bombed by
insurgents, killing our promising young children who were seeking
education to build the country and support their parents. Many Nigerians
have lost their lives and property to these mindless killings. Let me
crave the indulgence of all present here to stand up to observe a minutes
silence in honour of these young lads who lost their lives. Clearly, this
has cast a dark cloud on our Nation but we will surely win the war against
terror. A number of young men and women have been kidnapped by these
criminal elements including our daughters from Chibok. We will free our
daughters and defeat terrorism.
5. We are equipping the armed forces and deploying special forces to
engage the terrorist and end this senseless war. We must protect our
country. We must save our people. I will do everything humanly possible to
end this criminal violence in our Nation.
6. 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.
7. I am grateful to all Nigerians for standing with me.
8. Let me also thank the leaders and elders of our great party, the
Peoples Democratic Party, for the opportunity you have given to me to
serve our country, Nigeria.
9. I am overwhelmed by the trust, confidence and support of the various
organs of our party, the Board of Trustees, the National Caucus, the
National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee, the PDP
Governors Forum, members of the PDP Caucuses of the National Assembly, and
others.
10. This day affords me the opportunity to continue the conversation of
development we started together.
11. 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.
12. We have also resumed 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.
13. Our power generation and distribution companies have now been
privatized. We are firmly on the road to guaranteed regular power supply
in the months ahead. This our bold move, is paying off!
14. We are committed to environmental protection and conservation and
reducing vulnerability to climate change. In this regard, we have embarked
on a number of projects across the country. Of particular note is the
African Great Green Wall Programme, where we have released about 16
billion naira for implementation. The project will create a green belt
across 11 states from Kebbi to Borno.
15. In the past three and half years, the water sector has witnessed
unprecedented improvement. Access to potable water is now 67%, up from 58%
in 2010, while sanitation coverage is 41%, from 32% within the same
period.
16. Major developments in water include the completion of 37 Dams and
rehabilitation of 10, with several others on-going construction. The
flagship Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam which is being built to contain flood
from Lake Nyos, is now at 90% completion. We have also completed about
5,000 rural and semi urban water schemes.
17. We are reforming the National Urban Water supply programmes in 12
states, with 385 formal and informal irrigation projects, covering a total
land area of 118000 ha, cultivated mostly by small holder farmers. This
has yielded over 3 million metric tons of assorted grains and vegetables,
with a market value of about 45 billion naira.
18. Before the advent of this administration, the Railway system was
practically dead. Today, we have revived the rail sector. The narrow gauge
line from Lagos to Kano has been rehabilitated with improved coaches
providing regular services. The rehabilitation of the Port
Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line is progressing with the Port Harcourt-Gombe
segment as well as the branch line from Kafanchan to Kaduna expected to be
completed and fully operational by December 2014.
19. Already, work on the Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge rail line, is
progressing. The tracks of the rail line will be completed by December
this year 2014. Upon completion of the project in the first quarter of
2015, it will be possible for Nigerians to live in Kaduna and work in
Abuja. The Itape-Ajaokuta-Wari standard gauge line has attained an
advanced stage, with the track completely laid. We hope to commence full
operation before the end of 2015.
20. Other segments of the new standard gauge speed train network are
planned with contract already awarded for the Lagos –Ibadan Segment. There
will be more of such modern and faster rail connections in the coming
years. Already, discussions are now at advanced stage, for the Coastal
rail line that will traverse through 10 states, from Lagos through the
South-South and South-East, all the way to Calabar.
21. My administration has successfully completed the dredging of the lower
River Niger from Baro in Niger State to Warri in in Delta State. The
cheering news is that over 6.7 million passengers and over 1.6 million
tonnes of cargo have been moved through this channel in less than three
years.
22. I am happy to also report that our ports now operate 24 hour service,
which has led to the reduction of clearing time and improved efficiency.
23. When I assumed office in 2010, out of the 35,000km of federal roads
nationwide, only about 5,000km were motorable. Today, that number has
increased to about 25,000km. We expect to complete the remaining 10,000km
in three years while initiating new ones.
24. 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
advance stage of completion, while work has commenced on the Second Niger
Bridge.
25. 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.
26. 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.
27. In the pursuit of an integrated transportation system, we embarked on
the construction of five new Airport Terminal Buildings and Air-field
facilities. We are also re-constructing existing ones. The re-construction
upon completion, will lead to improved passenger processing, increased
cargo handling capacity and enhanced Air-field facilities that meet
international standard and improves safety. These efforts have been met
with global acknowledgement including the attainment and retention of the
FAA Category One status.
28. In housing, we signed the National Housing Policy to kick-start the
framework for providing more affordable homes for our people. We have also
expanded the National Housing Fund to accommodate more Nigerians. We have
started a revolution in the housing sector with the start of the Nigerian
Mortgage and Refinanced Company (NMRC) a new initiative of my
administration, that will enable more citizens in the lower income bracket
to become first time home owners.
29. Our partners such as the World Bank group are supporting this with
US300million dollars interest free credit, while my administration will
back it with over 100billion naira in bonds. We are already processing
66,000 mortgage applications for our young people. We have amended the
PENCOM Act to enable the pension funds invest in housing sector bonds.
This will create a boom in the housing sector.
30. In the Federal Capital Territory, we are rapidly building a befitting
National Capital by expanding and providing new infrastructure, developing
ten new districts and Satellite Towns to cater for the ever increasing
population. In no distant future, you will be able to arrive at the Nnamdi
Azikiwe International Airport and proceed to the city using the Abuja
Light Rail. In addition to providing durable health, educational and
transportation services, we are also collaborating with Organized Labour
to build functional, affordable and social housing in Abuja.
31. Other critical capital developments that are being packaged by this
Administration include the development of the Ultra-Modern World Trade
Centre, the Abuja Town Centre, the Jabi Lake Comprehensive Centre, the
Centenary City and the Land Swap Districts. This private sector driven
infrastructural development will positively change the skyline of the city
and provide the required office and residential accommodation, shopping
and recreation as well as tourism and entertainment facilities of the FCT.
32. In our determination to encourage much greater participation of
Nigerians in the oil and gas industry, one of the first actions I took,
was the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development
Act. As a result of this law, indigenous Nigerian participation levels, in
upstream and downstream activities of the oil and gas industry have
increased by over 45%, thereby increasing employment opportunities for our
youth.
33. We have also succeeded in eliminating the long queues that previously
characterised our filling stations, through regular and sustained product
supply.
34. Gas infrastructure to ensure adequate Gas to Power and Gas to
Industry, is being aggressively put in place. Over 450km of gas pipelines
have been installed over the last 3years. Another 2,000km is planned over
the next 4years. Critical petrochemical and fertilizer facilities have
commenced including the gas industrial park in Delta State, for which I am
scheduled to perform the ground-breaking this Friday. This will create
millions of jobs and make Nigeria a regional hub.
35. In addition, as a result of government favourable policies the private
sector is investing over 12 billion dollars in the petrochemical sector,
over the next 4years. This will surely create millions of jobs for our
people.
37. We have changed the face of agriculture. We moved agriculture away
from a development Programme to agriculture as a business. My vision is to
create wealth for our people through agriculture.
38. We have focused on encouraging the private sector to boost investments
in the agricultural sector. As a result, the number of seed companies rose
from five to eighty in the past three years. Private sector investment in
the agricultural sector expanded by $ US 5.6 billion across the
Agricultural value chain.
39. We ended decades of corruption in the fertilizer and seed sectors. We
developed a transparent and efficient system of reaching farmers directly
with subsidized farm inputs. Before our reforms, fertilizer 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 fertilizers 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 subsidized farm inputs on their mobile
phones. Several African countries are now borrowing this transparent and
efficient e-wallet system for their own countries.
40. Our national food production expanded by an additional 21 million
metric tons between 2011 and 2014, a record, exceeding our set target of
20 million metric tons set for 2015. The Dangote Group, has committed to
invest $US 1 billion in commercial rice production and processing. With
all these developments, we are expected to be an exporter of rice in the
next five years. This will be a new dawn!
41. The benefits are showing on our food imports. Our food import bill has
declined from 1.1 trillion Naira in 2009 to 684 billion Naira by December
2013, even with our increasing population, a reduction of 40%.
42. Nigeria met its Millennium Development Goal One on reducing hunger and
extreme poverty, two years ahead of 2015 target set by the United Nations,
and was given an award by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations.
43. To sustain this trend, we are encouraging young graduates through the
Nagropreneurs Programme to go into commercial Agriculture. We are also
encouraging our students in Post Primary Schools to embrace commercial
Agriculture through the National School Agriculture Programme.
44. My dear people, corruption remains a big challenge in our national
life. It corrodes our efforts at development and at motivating competence
in critical sectors of our national growth. We have eradicated it in the
agricultural sector and we will surely eradicate it in other sectors of
our economy.
45. Going forward, my focus is to continue to reinforce institutions,
systems, and processes to tackle corruption, and also to bring to justice
those that perpetrate corruption. Through the Integrated Payroll and
Personnel Information System (IPPIS), we have weeded out 56,000 ghost
workers from the Federal Civil Service, saving 162 billion naira.
46. I have directed ICPC to bring the perpetrators of this criminal act to
book. Let this be very clear, public officers must live by example, fully
accounting for the national trust and resources in their care.
47. In our journey to progress, knowledge is indispensable. Knowledge is
power! This is why my administration established 14 new Universities out
of which 12 are conventional and two are specialized Police and Maritime
Universities. Under my watch, every state in Nigeria, now has a Federal
University.
48. In addition, over 500billion naira have been spent, through the
Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the special NEEDS assessment
fund on various projects to increase access and improve the quality of
infrastructure at the tertiary level of our education system.
49. To provide equal access and opportunities in education and ensure that
no Nigerian child is left behind, we have established and equipped 150
Almajiri Schools across the Northern states and the Out-of-School-Children
Programme including Specialized Boys and Girls Schools across the country.
50. Fellow Nigerians, our country was faced with a major National
security, humanitarian, and economic threat in the form of the Ebola Virus
Disease, which arrived in the country on July 20, 2014, by way of a
foreign national, Mr Patrick Sawyer.
51. Realizing the imminent threat, I declared a national emergency,
pulling states, local and federal government into action as well as
individual Nigerians to combat this disease. Without the quick action of
patriotic Nigerians in the First Consultant Hospital, as well as the
co-operation of Lagos and Rivers State, where the disease occurred,
working with the Federal Ministry of Health and the co-operation of all
Nigerians we could not have succeeded in overcoming this deadly disease.
Fellow Nigerians we stopped Ebola together.
52. Just as we stopped Ebola, we are on our way to eradicating the Polio
Virus in our country. We have reduced the incident of new Polio Virus from
300 in 2010, to 6 today.
53. My brothers and sisters, to encourage entrepreneurship and
self-reliance among our teeming graduates, we have developed creative
opportunities for enterprise for our young people.
54. Programmes such as YouWIN, the Graduate Internship Scheme, the
Nagropreneurs Initiative, the 220 Billion Naira Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises Development Fund and the 3 Billion Naira Grant to Nollywood
are empowering our graduates, the creative industry and other young people
to start up their own businesses and employ others.
55. We have supported the growth of industry through policy and action. We
launched The National industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), and the National
Enterprise Development Programme as key drivers to bring about our desires
in the industrial sectors and to diversify our economy. Our new National
Automobile Policy is transforming Nigeria into a vibrant hub for the
automobile industry. Our own Innoson Motors is producing world standard
vehicles, and Nissan, Hyundai, and Kia, have set up factories in Nigeria
and are employing thousands of our people.
56. Our support for cement production is unprecedented. We have increased
our installed capacity from 16.5 million metric tons per annum in 2011 to
39.5 million metric tons per annum in 2014. Nigeria is now exporting
cement. We are moving forward! We must produce what we consume and consume
what we produce.
57. Our efforts to create an enabling environment for job creation in
different sectors of the economy including the MSME sector, agriculture,
housing and manufacturing have yielded results. Between the third quarter
of 2012, when we started tracking jobs created and the end of 2013, 1.9
million jobs were created. To deepen our success in this area, I have
created a Presidential Jobs Creation Board headed by the Vice President
with the mandate to create at least two million jobs a year.
58. My brothers and sisters, our economy is heading in the right direction
and our efforts are yielding positive results. Our economy continues to
grow at the rate of 6 to 7 percent annually, one of the highest in the
world. Our country is now the top investment destination and the largest
economy in Africa, with a GDP of 80trillion naira (510billion dollars) as
well as the 26th largest economy in the world.
59. As part of its efforts to support inclusive growth and economic
development in Nigeria through the CBN, my administration has created and
disbursed the sum of 200billion naira via the Commercial Agric and Credit
scheme, 300billion naira Power and Aviation fund, 220billion naira Micro,
Small and Medium Enterprise Fund, as well as 300 billion naira rail sector
refinancing facilities at single digit interest rate. We will continue to
deepen the reforms in the financial sector, in order to sustain the growth
of our economy and uplift our people from poverty to prosperity.
60. Dear Compatriots, I promised as President, that we would sanitize and
restore integrity in our electoral process, by ensuring that our votes are
not only counted, but truly count. We have gone to great length to ensure
transparent, free, fair, and credible elections. Elections have been
conducted across the country with local and international election
observers testifying to their transparency.
61. On the international scene, we have advanced our regional, continental
and global objectives. We have strengthened our relationships with our
neighbours and in many instances supported them to protect their
democracy, security and stability. We are serving for a second time within
a period of 4 years at the United Nations Security Council. This is
unprecedented in our Nation’s history. My brothers and sister, this is a
growing attestation of our country’s growing influence.
62. In the first quarter of this year, our country celebrated its
centenary. To prepare the nation for the challenges of the next one
hundred years, I convened a National Conference where recommendations and
resolutions were reached towards a more perfect union. We shall implement
the report.
63. Four years ago, I made a commitment to advance the rise and rise of
womanhood. Today, I am glad that we have made remarkable progress in this
regard, trusting in the potential of our women and reaping from their
dedication and ingenuity. I believe that any nation that ignores womanhood
cannot achieve its full potential. It is in this regard that I ensured
that women were given more opportunities in government, and I have not
been disappointed.
64. Specifically, I doubled the percentage of women in the cabinet and
gave them more challenging assignments.
65. The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), is now admitting female cadets as
regular combatants and it is now possible for a woman to rise through the
ranks to the peak in military service, and become a full general.
66. We must continue to sustain the banner of freedom and justice that we
have held high in our country. I am proud to say that there are no
political prisoners in Nigeria today. No Nigerian has been driven to exile
and no one will be, under my watch.
67. It is in furtherance of a peaceful, participatory and inclusive
democracy that I signed the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill into law, to
expand the frontiers of our fundamental freedom.
68. Let me re-affirm that under a Jonathan Presidency, your views, no
matter how freely expressed, will not send you to prison or into exile.
69. 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.
70. 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.
71. So many things have inspired me in the journey to this moment. I want
to appreciate ordinary Nigerians, especially young people, for the
solidarity shown to me by contributing their meagre resources to enable me
arrive at this point.
72. I appreciate the kind gesture of the Cattle Breeders Union, Miyetti
Allah, and the Market Women Association, who encouraged me by coming
together to contribute to the purchase of my Nomination form.
73. In the same vein, I am touched by the National Association of Widows
who also encouraged me with their widow’s mite.
74. This labour of love, from ordinary Nigerians, has increased my
appreciation of your solidarity, my trust in our joint destiny, and all we
have achieved together these past three and half years.
75. Therefore, after seeking the face of God, in quiet reflection with my
family and having listened to the call of our people nationwide to run, I,
Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, have accepted to re-present myself, on
the platform of The Peoples’ Democratic Party, for re-election as the
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in the 2015 general
elections.
76. Democracy is a collective action, energized by individual
responsibility. Your mandate at this time will inspire in me the strength
to complete the good work we have started together.
77. My dear people of Nigeria, we must complete the task of ensuring that
we lift the poor out of the depth of want, and place their feet firmly on
the ladder of prosperity.
78. In this election season, I appeal to all of you, not to harm, maim or
kill; and not to incite violence of any kind. We must never forget our
common bond, one people from the womb of one Nigeria. Again I say: My
ambition to serve you is not worth the blood of any Nigerian. I remain
committed to this principle of non-violence.
79. If you believe that we must build a country that works for all, where
the strong lift up the weak, and not trample upon them, where the vote of
every citizen determines who governs or represents you, where the
democratic space is open to all citizens to fulfil their aspirations,
irrespective of the circumstance of birth, your brother, Goodluck Ebele
Azikiwe Jonathan stands ready to continue in service to you.
80. My brothers and sisters, we cannot go back to the old ways! Our
railways were allowed to rot in neglect, we have revived and are
modernising them.
81. We cannot go back to the old ways! Our road infrastructure collapsed.
We are reconstructing, and expanding federal roads across the country.
82. We cannot go back to the old ways! Our airport terminal buildings were
dilapidated and our airspace unsafe. We are fixing this.
83. We cannot go back to the old ways! Our agricultural practices did not
benefit our farmers and our people. Fertilizer distribution was a major
source of fraud and we were importing food more than our budget can carry.
Now we are on our way to self-sufficiency in food production.
84. Do you want to go back to the old ways?
85. We cannot go back to the old ways, where there were long queues at our
filling stations due to irregular supply of products and our people were
exploited.
86. We cannot go back to the old ways, when women and youths were denied
opportunities in government and in responsible positions.
87. Do you want to go back to the old ways?
88. We cannot go back to the old ways! We had skewed distribution of
tertiary institutions. Whereas some states had more than one degree
awarding institution, some had none. We have now made sure all states have
at least one Federal University.
89. We cannot go back to the old ways! Our economy is now the largest in
Africa. Once, we were virtually importing everything, now we are exporting
several products, including cement.
90. We cannot go back to the old ways! In 2009, average life expectancy
was 47 years, by the end of 2013, it was 52 years. Some of our hospitals
now perform open heart surgeries, kidney transplants and other challenging
operations as we reposition our health service to end decades of medical
tourism that drains our scarce resources.
91. We cannot go back to the old ways! Together, in unity, we overcame
Ebola, and in the process demonstrated the strength of the Nigerian
spirit. And together, united, we must maintain our vigilance.
92. Do you want to go back to the old ways?
93. We cannot go back to the old ways where individual freedoms were
trampled upon and citizens were locked up for expressing their views or
criticising government.
94. Do you want to go back to the old ways?
95. We cannot go back to the old ways! We must continue to have free and
fair elections. We cannot go back to the era where ballot box snatching
and stuffing became the norm. Where your votes never counted.
96. Certainly, we cannot!
97. We have to move forward! Only forward!!, my dear people, Forward!!!
98. In moving forward, I see a Nigeria that thirsts for progress with
children across the nation, eager for knowledge and safely in schools!
99. I see a Nigeria where all who have taken up arms, would again embrace
peace!
100. I see a Nigeria where our women can aspire to any heights, without
hindrance!
101. I see a Nigeria where the flames in the Eagles will rekindle, and the
Falcons soaring higher in victory!
102. I see a Nigeria where the children of Mustapha, and Christopher, Ade
and Ada, Timi and Bunmi, Nnamdi and Namadi, do not go hungry!
103. I see a Nigeria where all, no matter their beliefs, live in peace and
harmony!
104. I see a Nigeria where the green passport is accorded a royal
reception the world over!
105. I see a Nigeria where one day the next generation will take us to
outer space.
106. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, leadership is about staying
focused to achieve goals despite challenges. I have been faced with many
challenges since coming to office as President. With your support and
encouragement, we have stayed the course.
107. We are succeeding, against all odds. For the young Nigerian child,
who grew up in the rural area, just like me, we are expanding
opportunities and giving them hope. For the market woman, we are expanding
opportunities. For our young entrepreneurs, we are expanding
opportunities. For the right of our people to vote and for their voices to
be heard, we are expanding opportunities. For Nigerians to have the right
to free speech, we are expanding opportunities. For the job seekers,
against all odds, we are expanding opportunities.
108. While serving our people, I will always ensure the rule of law. I do
not intimidate, I expand the democratic space. I give voice to the
voiceless and uphold the weak, for the nation belongs to us all. Fellow
Nigerians, as we build our democracy, leaders must show temperance at all
times. That is a virtue, one which I treasure, and will always uphold.
109. My people, Nigeria is destined for greatness. Today, here at Eagle
Square, I say to Nigeria, that working together in love, in strength and
in faith, we will build a nation of one people, united in purpose and in
action.
110. Fellow Nigerians, it is forward ever! We must put our hopes to work!
Together, we will realize our collective destiny.
111. Thank you!!
112. God bless Nigeria!!