In a carnival-like declaration ceremony, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Tuesday threw his hat into the political ring with a clear message to Nigerians: Give me another four years. He urged Nigerians to allow him another 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 nation’s economy. He promised to use the four years to consolidate on the on-going transformation of the nation’s socio-economic fortunes. He said he would make life better for Nigerians if given another four years.

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.

1. This day affords me the opportunity to continue the conversation of

development we started together.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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!

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. We have also succeeded in eliminating the long queues that previously

characterised our filling stations, through regular and sustained product

supply.

4. 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.

5. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

1. 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!

1. 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%.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Specifically, I doubled the percentage of women in the cabinet and

gave them more challenging assignments.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. In the same vein, I am touched by the National Association of Widows

who also encouraged me with their widow’s mite.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

1. 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.

1. We cannot go back to the old ways! Our road infrastructure collapsed.

We are reconstructing, and expanding federal roads across the country.

2. We cannot go back to the old ways! Our airport terminal buildings were

dilapidated and our airspace unsafe. We are fixing this.

3. 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.

4. Do you want to go back to the old ways?
5. 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.

6. We cannot go back to the old ways, when women and youths were denied

opportunities in government and in responsible positions.

7. Do you want to go back to the old ways?
8. 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.

9. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

2. Do you want to go back to the old ways?
3. 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.

4. Do you want to go back to the old ways?
5. 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.

6. Certainly, we cannot!
7. We have to move forward! Only forward!!, my dear people, Forward!!!
8. In moving forward, I see a Nigeria that thirsts for progress with

children across the nation, eager for knowledge and safely in schools!

9. I see a Nigeria where all who have taken up arms, would again embrace

peace!

1. I see a Nigeria where our women can aspire to any heights, without

hindrance!

1. I see a Nigeria where the flames in the Eagles will rekindle, and the

Falcons soaring higher in victory!

2. I see a Nigeria where the children of Mustapha, and Christopher, Ade

and Ada, Timi and Bunmi, Nnamdi and Namadi, do not go hungry!

3. I see a Nigeria where all, no matter their beliefs, live in peace and

harmony!

4. I see a Nigeria where the green passport is accorded a royal

reception the world over!

5. I see a Nigeria where one day the next generation will take us to

outer space.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

1. Fellow Nigerians, it is forward ever! We must put our hopes to work!

Together, we will realize our collective destiny.

1. Thank you!!
2. God bless Nigeria!!