2015: I will not let Nigerians down - Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has promised not to let Nigerians down as he begins the campaign for the 2015 general elections.

The President said this in his acceptance speech after he was ratified as the presidential candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party at the party’s special convention which ended in the early hours of Thursday in Abuja.

He told the delegates that having placed great faith in him and chosen him as the party’s presidential candidate, he would not fail them.

The jubilant President said, “I assure you, that I am truly honoured tonight, to lead another electoral contest. This will be a campaign, and an election, that will serve to consolidate our successes.

“I will give my all. I will not let you down. I will not fail the PDP. I will not fail you. Above all, I promise, I will not fail our great nation, Nigeria.”

He said that the success recorded during the convention was an indication that the party was ready for the elections.

“The PDP is ready. Nigerians know we are ready. And today in Abuja, we begin the next phase of our mission. Our mission is to secure Nigeria’s future,” the president said.

The President was full of thanks to God Almighty, who he said has sustained the nation.

He nevertheless expressed his gratitude to his deputy, Namadi Sambo, who he described as “my brother” and his wife, saying both have provided loyal support and commitment to the regime.

He said working with them has been a pleasure for him.

He also added that the success recorded during his regime would not have been possible without members of his team, which included Ministers, Advisers, Assistants and other members of staff that he said had formed the Transformation team.

President Jonathan said he was aware that the contest will be stiff between him and the opposition, but he charged the members of the ruling party to remain focused.

He, therefore, said he was commissioning all delegates and party faithful, as his campaign mobilizers, and charged them to take his message of unity and development back to their respective states and communities, and to ensure victory for all candidates of the PDP in the forthcoming elections.

He said, “Our political opponents shall assail us with the fury of their desperation to win power.  They will use every means – intimidation, false accusations, hostile media and more. 

“Do not descend to their level. We must stay focused on the mission at hand – to secure Nigeria’s future.”

Before announcing Sambo as his running mate, the President invited some leaders of the party, including his wife, Patience to the podium.

Those he invited were the Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu; the Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih; the Senate President, Senator David Mark and his wife, and  Sambo and his wife.

 It was after these set of people mounted the podium with him that he now said, “ I seize the opportunity of this occasion to formally announce that as we commence the campaign for the 2015 Presidential elections, Architect Mohammed Namadi Sambo, a loyal and tested partner, a dependable, trustworthy gentleman and a true patriot will be my running mate and Vice Presidential candidate once again.”

I remember this nursery rhyme; tick says the clock, tick, tick, what you have to do, do quick!.