President Jonathan Declares For Second Term In Abuja

President Goodluck Jonathan declares his intention to run for the second term in the February 2015 presidential elections.

The event started as scheduled at the Eagle Square in Abuja on November 11, 2014, Tuesday.

Previously, Jonathan's potential opponents Muhammadu Buhari, Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Kwankwaso have also chosen Abuja for declaration. However, the capital city has never been locked down this way.

Follow the live updates from the event.

14:16 The National Anthem marked the end of the declaration event.

14:12 The speech is officially over. It's full transcript is available HERE. The president returned to the VIP section. His wife, aides and followers greeted him.

14:10  "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," Jonathan declared, as the crowd cheered.

14:05 The next part of the speech concerned the growing role of Nigeria in the world. Temporary membership in the United Nations Security Council proves it. The president has immediately switched to the growing role of women in the society, and what he has done for it:  "I doubled the percentage of women in the cabinet and gave them more challenging assignments."

14:01 "Fellow Nigerians we stopped Ebola together," the president declared, promising to eradicate polio too.

13:58 150 Almajiri Schools for the Northern regions, 14 new Universities out of which 12 are conventional and two are specialized Police and Maritime Universities were established during Jonathan's presidential tenure. "Under my watch, every state in Nigeria, now has a Federal University," he said.

13:54 "Nigeria met its Millennium Development Goal One on reducing hunger and extreme poverty, two years ahead of 2015 target set by the United Nations," Goodluck Jonathan stated.

13:46 The president reminded that he started a revolution in the Housing sector, ensured hitch-free provision of petroleum products to Nigerians. As concerns success in the agricultural sector, then corruption in supply of fertilisers has been eliminated and over 14 million farmers can get them via innovative e-wallet system.

13:44 Jonathan lists some of the recent achievements in the infrastructural development of the country

13:41 The leader of the country expressed his gratitude for adopting him as the sole PDP candidate.

13:35 The president reminded that his administration had allocated N60bn to aide the victims of terror through the safe school initiative and victim support fund.

13:27 The speech contains a really loud declaration by the president: "We will win the war against terror, we will surely get our daughters back!"

Jonathan called for a one minute of silence in the memory of those who lost their lives in a suicide bombing of the Government Science Secondary School, Potiskum, Yobe.

13:22 The president gives a hug to his wife, the First Lady, Patience Jonathan, and walks to the microphone! A song by Onyeka Onwenu, Run Jonathan Run, plays through the loudspeakers.

13:21 Sambo pledged his loyalty and invites President Jonathan to the podium.

13:17 The incumbent Vice President, Namadi Sambo, is the next speaker. Jonathan seems pretty comfortable working with the current VP.

13:04 Senate President David Mark makes a speech. He explained why so many politicians and Nigerians were there to support the president. “We call on you to carry on the good work that you are doing,” David Mark said.

He also admitted that lots of security challenges are present, but "they are not insurmountable."

13:00 One more break for entertainment: Naeto C is to sing a stage version 'Ten Over Ten', for President Jonathan.

12:57 “We cannot handover Nigeria to people who want to destabilize us (the enemies of the Progress),”Akpabio concluded.

12:50 The break is over. Godswill Akpabio, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, speaks on behalf of the PDP governors. According to him, the PDP would win 29 or 30 states in 2015.

12:45 Bongos Igwue perform at the declaration ceremony. A music pause for all.

12:37 A former Senate President Ken Nnamani (South East): "We believe that you will create a level playing field for us to compete."

12:35 A former governor of Sokoto State Attahiru Bafarawa said: “We in the North West are not going to support you with mouth, we are going to support you with everything.”

12:32 Jerry Gana spoke on behalf of the people from the North-Central belt. Chief Olabode George represented the people of the South-West.

12:30 A former governor of Rivers state Peter Odili spoke on behalf of South South. Odili reassured that there at least 6 million of Jonathan's supporters in his zone.

12:28 A women leader Mrs Aisha Aliyu was followed by Hassan Adamu (North-East statesman) in delivering the goodwill message. According to him, North East had produced about 7 million signatures, who pledged to support Jonathan's re-election.

12:26 Delegates of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) address the people at the event, urge all the Nigerians to give Jonathan the second chance to continue his good work.

12:24 Representatives of the Nigerian society that are at the Eagle Square now include Nigerian farmers, Fulani cattle breeders, children enrolled into Almajiri schools set up by GEJ.

12:22 Esele added that the current leader of Nigeria is "humility personified".

12:13 In his speech, an ex President of the Trade Union Congress, Peter Esele, emphasised on Jonathan's ability to resist all kinds of provocations.

12:02 The FCT Chairman of  the Christian Association of Nigeria, Israel Akanje, prays God, asks him to help all the Nigerians who are suffering.

12:00 The ceremony starts. The National Anthem has been sung, and the prayers are being rendered.

11:55 President Jonathan took his place at the VIP section.

It would be noted that the ruling party made a statement just one day before the declaration. The PDP explained that they were the best and, therefore, they picked the best candidate.

This statement came on the same day as over 47 people lost their lives in a bloody terrorist attack at a secondary school in Yobe State.

Source: Legit.ng