Abuja – President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday said that national interest<\/p>\n
would override any personal ambition or sectional agenda in his decision
\nto seek re-election in 2015 or not.<\/p>\n
Jonathan, who stated this in his Eid-El-Kabir message to Muslim faithful
\nin the country, called on all political leaders to do the same.<\/p>\n
He felicitated with the Muslims and urged them to use the occasion to pray
\nfor the peace, progress and unity of the country as well as the success of
\nthe 2015 general elections.<\/p>\n
He said, \u201cmy administration has done its sincere best in the past four
\nyears to implement its agenda for national transformation and move our
\ncountry forward on several fronts.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thank many individuals, stakeholders, groups, associations,
\nnon-governmental organisations, unions and political leaders across the
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn recognition and appreciation of our efforts and commitment to
\nreposition our dear nation for more rapid growth and development, they
\nhave urged me to seek a second term in office.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn deciding on an appropriate response to such calls, I will place the
\ngreater interests of national harmony, cohesion, unity, security,
\npolitical stability, progress, equity, justice and fairness above any
\npersonal ambition or sectional agenda.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI urge all political leaders in the country to place the overriding
\ninterest of the wellbeing and progress of our fatherland above all other
\nconsiderations in the coming campaigns and elections,\u2019\u2019 he added.<\/p>\n
The president urged the political class to rise above \u201cunedifying,
\nunpatriotic and selfish personal interests and divisive sectional agenda
\nin the coming national elections.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to him, the call has become necessary following the issuance of
\na formal notice of the impending general elections by the Independent
\nNational Electoral Commission (INEC) during the week.<\/p>\n
He said that with the official election notice, another national campaign
\nseason was now truly upon the country.<\/p>\n
Jonathan urged all political actors to commit themselves to the sustenance
\nof democracy and political stability in the country.<\/p>\n
These, he added, were essential ingredients for the advancement of good
\ngovernance, inclusive economic growth and rapid development of the nation.
\nHe admitted that the country had continued to face critical challenges in
\nsome areas in spite of the significant progress it had made in the past
\nfour years.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, I am convinced that if we persevere and continue to build
\ndiligently on what the present administration has achieved, we will surely
\novercome all hindrances.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will also fully establish a stronger, more united and prosperous
\nnation that meets the aspirations and yearnings of all of our people,\u201d he
\nsaid.
\nThe president congratulated all Muslims in the country and believers who
\nundertook this year\u2019s Hajj as enjoined by Prophet Mohammed.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs they conclude the rites of the Hajj and prepare to return home, let us
\nall join them in offering special prayers for greater security, peace,
\nunity and progress in our dear country.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should also use the occasion to pray for the peaceful and successful
\nconduct of next year\u2019s general elections.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we celebrate the Eid-El-Kabir, let us rededicate and commit ourselves
\nto the Holy Prophet\u2019s injunctions of piety, honesty, charity and
\ngenerosity to the less privileged, impartial leadership and true justice
\nfor all.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese virtues and lessons will surely stand our nation in good stead as
\nwe continue our journey towards the fulfillment of our founding fathers\u2019
\nvision of a great nation.<\/p>\n
\u201cMay Allah\u2019s blessings be upon all our compatriots who have undertaken the
\nHajj this year and on our dear country.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish all Nigerians currently in the Holy Land a safe journey back
\nhome,\u201d the president said. (NAN)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Abuja – President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday said that national interest would override any personal ambition or sectional agenda in his decision to seek re-election in 2015 or not. Jonathan,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30148,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31747","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive"],"yoast_head":"\n