At New Year, Jonathan Restates Commitment to Credible Polls

Posted by admin Elections 2011, Headlines Saturday, January 1st, 2011

President Goodluck Jonathan in his New Year message to the nation said that stable power supply, employment generation, security, national infrastructure, education and healthcare would dominate his agenda in 2011

In his own message, Senate President David Mark bemoaned the incessant cases of sectarian crisis which have claimed thousands of lives across the nation but added that Nigeria was well endowed with abundant human and material resources needed to turn things around for good.

Jonathan in his message also pledged to ensure that the country records free and fair elections “that would be acceptable by Nigerians in an environment where votes of electorates would count in their bid to elect leaders of their choice.”

Jonathan particularly noted that job creation for the teeming youths of the country was of utmost importance to him.
To this end, he said N50 billion was proposed for appropriation in the 2011 budget in addition to a $500 million facility secured to boost activities of small and growing businesses in the country.

“These and other measures being evolved by this administration to improve the quality of lives of Nigerians can only be effectively implemented in a secure, peaceful and politically stable environment,” said the President.

He urged all stakeholders in the country to play positive roles in ensuring that next year’s general elections were conducted peacefully in order to further consolidate Nigeria’s status as a stable democracy.

The President pledged to do all within his capacity to ensure that Nigeria moved more rapidly towards joining other nations in development as well as fulfilment of their immense capacities while wishing them a happy new year.
Mark in his message condemned violent clashes in the country saying, “these violent crisis are avoidable and indeed needless. We cannot claim to be civilised or developing when our actions towards one another are animalistic and barbaric.”

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole yesterday urged Nigerians to embrace peace in the New Year in order to ensure the sustenance of the gains of democracy in Nigeria.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State in his message said: “One potential which we must endeavour to draw strength from this year as we undertake to consolidate our rank in the comity of democratic nations, through the fast approaching general elections, is our innate greatness.”

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State warned those he described as retrogressive elements that the present administration in partnership with relevant security agencies, would effectively deal with any threat to public peace, or attempt to subvert the will of the people in 2011.

Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki urged Nigerians to “remain resolute to those virtues which bind the country together despite its diverse cultural, ethnic, religious and political background.”
Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State in his New Year message to the people of the state said it was God’s good intentions for Nigerians with particular reference to Abia State, that made it possible for them to be alive despite all challenges that faced the government and people at all levels.Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State promised to continue to grow the state’s economy in the New Year and ensure good life for all the people.wp_posts