Jonathan Pledges Renewed Drive To Fight Corruption, Formally Declares For Second Term

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, Politics Tuesday, November 11th, 2014

By Niyi Adeyi

Savouring the benefits emanating from the claimed conquered war against corruption in the fertilizer procurement and distribution to the farmers in the country, incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan has promised that his administration will replicate the same zeal, in other sectors of the economy, if re-elected.

Jonathan made the promise Tuesday, at the Eagle Square in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, while formally accepting the requests to re – contest for Presidency by the various support groups in the country.

Mr President whose addressed started with one minute silence in honour of over 50 students of the Senior Secondary Students, Potiskum, Yobe State, who were killed Monday morning on their school’s assembly, stated his administration has weeded out a total of 56,000 ghost workers from the Federal Civil Service, resulting in saving the country an estimated N152 billion.

As a pragmatic measure against sleazy practices, Jonathan announced that the anti – graft body – Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) has been directed to deal with and punish the corrupt officers. The President added that he has read a ‘riot act’ to the serving public servants to shun corruption, or else the erring would be brought to justice.

Also glossing over the spirit of unity and togetherness demonstrated by the State governments and other stakeholders to fight and win the war against the dreaded rampaging Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country, President Jonathan pledged if re – elected, the same positive mentality applied to Ebola war, would be adopted to fight polio in the country, stressing that, he would not hand over the pediatric disease to the administration that would succeed him.

President Jonathan revealed that his administration has taken initiative to ensure that many Nigerians become owners of their houses in the years to come. In order to achieve this goal, he informed that his government has approached the world Bank for a total of $300 Million grant from the world Bank, with the support of N 100 Billion bond from his government to execute a national housing scheme.

Mr. President said if re – elected, his administration would construct an ultra – modern World trade centre, which he restated would provide the country, with a beautiful landscape, good economic opportunities, a tourism attraction as well as recreation.

President Jonathan faulted the former ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration as he affirmed his government inherited a completely dead rail transportation, confirming that the sub sector has since been improved in the last three years, while the ultimate target, was to offer a rail system, that would allow Nigerians to reside in a State different from where they work – “live in Kaduna and work in Abuja”, as an example.

The President who gave pass mark to 24 hours operations at the nation’s seaports, stated his administration since assumption of power, has reconstructed a total of 5,000 kilometers of roads, 2,500 kilometres currently under construction, while 3000 kilometers were still to be attended to, after which other roads would be opened and constructed.

Jonathan who promised to conduct a credible election, stated he took the courage to assent the FOI bill into law, to discourage restriction in the country’s mass media practice, also assured that no matter how opinions were freely expressed, no journalist would go to jail.

The Senate President, David Mark in his remarks at the declaration stated President Jonathan has entrenched the principle of separation of power in government; has delivered on his previous electoral promises, which were the reasons why he was supported by the ruling PDP hierachy as well as many support groups, that had been calling him to re – contest in the coming presidential general election.