Goodluck Jonathan Warns Governors Against Distracting Him With 2015 Polls

Against the backdrop of accusation by Niger state governor and Chairman of  Northern Governors’ Forum, Mu’azu Aliyu Babangida during the weekend that President Jonathan signed an agreement with PDP governors to serve only for a single term of four years if supported to run for the presidency in 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan today warned state governors against distracting his administration with the issue.

Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Dr Doyin Okupe  today, President Jonathan in a statement issued as a subtle threat to PDP governors and other politicians who may want to dwell on the controversy said he will not allow himself to be drawn into the discourse, stressing that he “will not jump the gun” as far as the 2015 presidential contest is concerned.

The statement reads in part: “Our attention has been drawn to issues raised by some political leaders to the effect that President Goodluck Jonathan signed an agreement with some Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party prior to the Party’s presidential primaries in 2011. From time immemorial, for every major event or contest in the world, there is always a time and a season apportioned.

“We wish to state categorically that this is neither the time nor the season to begin electioneering campaign or related discourse for the 2015 presidential elections and so  President Goodluck Jonathan will not jump the gun.

“Mr. President will therefore stoutly resist any disguised or open attempt to drag him into any debates, arguments or political discussions relating to a presidential election in 2015.The president considers this as an invidious attempt to sway him from his chosen pursuit of the set out constituents of the transformation agenda which form the basis upon which Nigerians overwhelmingly elected him to steer the ship of the Nation in 2011.

“President Goodluck Jonathan will not for any reason abandon these laudable goals to engage in a distractive political debate with any individual or group of persons. However, we will not hold it against anyone who wishes to pursue such agenda because Nigeria is a free country and will continue to be so under this President.

“For now, this is our position on this matter and we assure Nigerians of Mr. Presidents resolve to continue to devote his energy to a successful implementation of the transformation agenda, fix Nigeria and thereby justify the mandate freely given to him by the Nigerian people”