President Goodluck Jonathan declares!!

President Goodluck Jonathan declares his intention to run for a second term in the February 2015 presidential elections.

The event started as scheduled at the Eagle Square in Abuja on November 11, 2014, Tuesday.

Previously, Jonathan’s potential opponents Muhammadu Buhari, Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Kwankwaso have also chosen Abuja for
declaration. However, the capital city has never been locked down this way.
Follow the live updates from the event.



13:17 The incumbent Vice President, Namadi Sambo, is the next speaker.

13:04 Senate President David Mark makes a speech. He explained why so many politicians and Nigerians were there to support the president. “We call on you to carry on the good work that you are doing,” David Mark said.
He also admitted that lots of security challenges are present, but “they are not insurmountable.”

13:00 One more break for entertainment: Naeto C is to sing a stage version ‘Ten Over Ten’, for President Jonathan.

12:57 “We cannot handover Nigeria to people who want to destabilize us (the enemies of the Progress),”Akpabio concluded.
12:50 The break is over. Godswill Akpabio, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, speaks on behalf of the PDP governors. According to him, the PDP would win 29 or 30 states in 2015.

12:45 Bongos Igwue perform at the declaration ceremony. A music pause for all.

12:37 A former Senate President Ken Nnamani (South East): “We believe
that you will create a level playing field for us to compete.”

12:35 A former governor of Sokoto State Attahiru Bafarawa said: “We in the North West are not going to support you with mouth, we are going to support you with everything.”

12:32 Jerry Gana spoke on behalf of the people from the North-Central belt. Chief Olabode George represented the people of the South-West.

12:30 A former governor of Rivers state Peter Odili spoke on behalf of South South. Odili reassured that there at least 6 million of Jonathan’s supporters in his zone.

12:28 A women leader Mrs Aisha Aliyu was followed by Hassan Adamu (North-East statesman) in delivering the goodwill message. According

to him, North East had produced about 7 million signatures, who pledged to support Jonathan’s re-election.

12:26 Delegates of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) address the people at the event, urge all the Nigerians to give Jonathan the second chance to continue his good work.
12:24 Representatives of the Nigerian society that are at the Eagle Square now include Nigerian farmers, Fulani cattle breeders, children enrolled into Almajiri schools set up by GEJ.

12:22 Esele added that the current leader of Nigeria is “humility personified”.
12:13 In his speech, an ex President of the Trade Union Congress, Peter Esele, emphasised on Jonathan’s ability to resist all kinds of provocations.

12:02 The FCT Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Israel Akanje, prays God, asks him to help all the Nigerians who are suffering.

12:00 The ceremony starts. The National Anthem has been sung, and the prayers are being rendered.
11:55 President Jonathan took his place at the VIP section.

It would be noted that the ruling party made a statement just one day before the declaration. The PDP explained that they were the best and, therefore, they picked the best candidate.

This statement came on the same day as over 47 people lost their lives in a bloody terrorist attack at a secondary school in Yobe State.