For the people who abuse me supporting Jonathan and for those too cynical to see his achievements as president, I support Jonathan as a matter of choice and also because I believe in the Transformation Agenda. Transformation like change requires time, patience, discipline and hard work. Under the Jonathan administration we have made steady progress which we cannot afford to obstruct or else, we shall be reversing the gains made in such areas as the economy, education, infrastructural development, agriculture and rule of law amongst others.In education for instance, the administration saw to it that WASCE pass rate in 2012- 2013 is the highest at 38 per cent and 36% as compared to the 15 per cent -25 per cent of 2000 -2009. NECO statistics also reveal that in 2010, 9.36 per cent of the total number of candidates made 5 credits and above in English and Mathematics. Corresponding figures were 8.06 per cent in 2011, 32 per cent in 2012, 48.3 per cent in 2013 and 52 per cent in 2014. Jonathan also established the Almajiri schools in the North as well as 14 additional universities. A lecturer in the university told me that for the first time in more than 20 years, lecturers are beginning to receive ESTACODES.Another sphere where the administration has done well is in the economy. Nigerian economy has remained the largest and strongest economy in Africa and according to the CNNmoney program Nigeria is the 3rd fastest growing economy after Qatar and China. This is a reality of positive change.The economy has successfully diversified with agriculture leading the way. For the first time in history, the price of food stuffs did not increase despite the falling rate of the Naira against the Dollar because we have sustained food sufficiency.While fighting a war against one of the world most wicked, violent and murderous Islamist gang, the administration has also done a lot in infrastructural development. It has undertaking the construction and rehabilitation of several roads across the country such as the Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja Road; dualization of the Kano 'Potiskum- Maiduguiri Road; rehabilitation of the Onitsha 'Enugu 'Port-Harcourt dual carriage way; Construction of the Loco/Oweto Bridge across the Benue; undertaking the Construction of the second Niger Bridge; expansion work of the Lagos 'Ibadan Express dual carriage way; construction of Calabar-Katsinala Road amongst many others. Even the railway which has been moribund for more than 30 years has been rehabilitated; while the narrow gauges are coming back into operation, the administration is building the standard gauges. I may go on to cite the revolution in the health sector, as well as the rehabilitation of major airports, but these are issues for another day.The president is not resting for he knows we are yet to achieve full capacity in energy distribution; that we need to create many new jobs to feed our army of unemployed youths, fight corruption with renewed zeal and end the insecurity posed by Islamic sect and other violent armed groups across the country. These are priority issues on his to do list hence he promised a brand new government in 2015.He wouldn't put himself up for reelection if he wouldn't do certain things differently. I believe his campaign promises because he now knows some hard truth; he knows that a leader can become a hostage to aides; that aides are not always right and can be self-serving; that the leader must been seen to being in-charge; that doing good work is not sufficient; that the public are hungry for information and that every day in office is a campaign.Knowing how hard he is working, Jonathan must be disappointed that the public pander to the lies, deceits and deception of the opposition. He cannot imagine that the people will want to choose slavery and fascism rather than freedom. Rather than be disappointed, I think the president needs to rekindle the people's hope and trust in government by expanding his vision.My last week piece on General Buhari's mind elicited some angry reactions from his supporters, who accused me of hate. I do not hate Buhari as a person but do not trust his leadership ability, insensitivity to the diversity of Nigeria and parochial world outlook. I also do not trust what he represents; neither do we share any common political belief. For instance I believe in true federalism; fiscal federalism/ resource control; secularity of Nigeria; equality of the geopolitical zones; implementation of the recommendation of the last constitutional conference; credible census, freedom of association and rule of law. Buhari's public records does not suggest he supports any of the things that I believe in. I also don't think he will ever repent from being an ethnic jingoist hence I am sad with former Governor Bola Tinubu of Lagos State for being a burden to the Yoruba nation.Why will Tinubu lead the Yoruba to snub the handshake of the people of South- South' What happened to the Yoruba sense of social justice' Why will a true Yoruba support the man that denied Pa Obafemi Awolowo medical treatment; June 12 is not even up to 25 years and we have forgotten that MKO Abiola of blessed memory was denied of his mandate, by whom and why' Buhari represents a system that diminishes us. I will not support a system that discriminates against me or support a leader with history of gross human right violations; neither can I stomach a leader who thinks I am stupid because I will vote for his opponent. Whether Buhari loses or wins, millions will vote for him. I do not think the millions that supports him are stupid. For Buhari to call those that will vote for Jonathan stupid diminishes him. GMB also has supporters who think we are stupid and bloody civilians. He is at home with Chief Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Atiku Abubakar all of whom have regrouped to take us 35 years back to Egypt.Never before in our history have these forces been as united against one candidate as they stand today against President Jonathan. They are unanimous in their hate for him. Somehow, 'I welcome their hatred' saidFranklin D. Roosevelt was faced with a similar class of opposition, and he came out triumphantly. I believe Jonathan will survive this gang up. It will be a tough battle, but he will win. The minorities, if they come together, are on the majority. If they unite behind the President he will defeat the oligarchy and lead us to the Promised Land.Aguiyi writes from Lagos State.
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