PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, candidate of the ruling Peoples Party (PDP), apart from recourse to sharing his humble background, to serve as a guide and motivation to particularly todays Nigerian youths, appears as one not given to lamenting the rough and thorny road the country has traveled for decades under bad leadership. Instead, he concentrates on the modest achievements his administration has had this past year and what he will do to sustain the tempo in the next four years if given the mandate by the electorate. His mantra is the Transformation of Nigeria to herald an era that will end the agony of several essential shortages in the country. Below is a summary of his vision for Nigeria: Building on achievements The past months that I have served as President of Nigeria have opened my eyes to the vast potentials of this office as a potent instrument for the transformation of our country. I discovered that by sheer willpower, I could end the long queues and price fluctuations in our petrol stations. Today, all our refineries are working, saving us huge amounts of funds spent on importation of petroleum products. I discovered that by insisting that the right things be done, we could begin a turnaround in our power sector by involving the private sector in power generation and distribution. As you can see from the lower quantities of diesel that you are buying today, power generation has significantly improved. Revamping power sector I have put in place new gas policies and very soon, we will be saying goodbye to gas flaring in our oil fields. Working with the National Assembly, we rolled out a law that requires companies operating in the oil and gas sectors of our economy to utilize an appreciable percentage of their goods and services from local sources. We saw to it that normalcy began to return to the Niger Delta by ensuring governments fidelity to its promises, and this has helped to stabilize our national revenue. Building roads/water/food infrastructure In the last few months, I embarked on monumental projects in our road infrastructure to end the carnage on our federal highways. I began several projects to make our water resources available for drinking and farming. I targeted our educational system to return quality and competitiveness to them. I re-addressed our drive for self-sufficiency in food production. Social security/rule of law I have taken bold steps to confront our security situation. In this regard, we are pursuing the revision of our laws to be more responsive to international conventions and more punitive to criminals. Free, fair/credible elections I set the stage for free and fair elections by constituting an electoral commission comprising of Nigerians with impeccable credentials for firmness and incorruptibility. Fighting corruption I charged our anti-corruption agencies to speed up the war against corruption, and respect no sacred cows in the process. Building stable economy In the management of the economy, I advocated a more transparent banking industry, price stability, low inflation, and aggregate increase in productivity as a way to drive us to a more prosperous economy. Foreign Relations In International Relations, I advanced the respectability accorded our country by effective engagement in global fora. My Pledge I WANT to reassure all Nigerians that the pledges, which we (late President Umaru Musa YarAdua and himself as Vice President then) had made to improve the socio-economic situation, which we face through improved access to electricity, water, education, health facilities and other social amenities would continue to be given the needed emphasis. The welfare of our teeming workers and the unemployed youths would also be accorded a new impetus. I shall strive to the best of my ability to attain self-sufficiency in food production. To help me in these tasks effectively, I will re-train, revamp, and motivate the civil service. Credible leadership Our country is at the threshold of a new era; an era that beckons for a new kind of leadership; a leadership that is uncontaminated by the prejudices of the past; a leadership committed to change; a leadership that reinvents government, to solve the everyday problems that confront the average Nigerian. Dependable elections Our total commitment to good governance, electoral reform and the fight against corruption would be pursued with greater vigour We must enshrine the best standards in our democratic practice. One of the true tests would be to ensure that all votes count and are counted in the upcoming general elections. Even though I am contesting, nobody must manipulate any vote in my favour. That is why I am working hard to convince Nigerians. Anybody not good enough must be voted out. I am not in politics because I want to be the richest Nigerian; I dont need it. Sovereign Wealth Fund My plans for a Sovereign Wealth Fund with an initial capital of $1billion will begin the journey for an economic restoration. This restoration will provide new job opportunities and alleviate poverty. We will have a robust plan to fund our projects to ensure they are completed. Health & Education Our health sector will receive maximum priority in a new Jonathan administration, a priority that will ensure maximum healthcare and stop our brain drain. I will be for the students, teachers and parents of Nigeria, a president who will advance quality and competitive education. Security Of topmost priority is the effort at ensuring the sustenance of peace and development in the Niger Delta as well as the security of life and property around the entire country. Let all the kidnappers, criminal elements, and miscreants that give us a bad name be ready for the fight that I shall give them. Let the ordinary Nigerian be assured that President Jonathan will have zero tolerance for corruption. International Relations Let the international community hear that today I have offered myself to lead a country that will engage them in mutual respect and cooperation for the achievement of international peace and understanding. In summary We will fight for Justice! We will fight for all Nigerians to have access to Power! We will fight for qualitative and competitive Education! We will fight for Health Care Reforms! We will fight to Create Jobs, for all Nigerians! We will fight Corruption! We will fight to protect all Citizens! We will fight for your Rights!
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