I Am Not Interested In 2015 –President Jonathan

Since politicians are now linking the increasing spate of insecurity in Nigeria to the 2015 ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan, the Presidency have decided to clear the air on this very thorny issue in order to reduce the tension it is generating in the polity.

The president noted with deep concerns the growing furore in political circles and the media over his purported re-election bid. Below is a brief excerpt of his position:

“What began as an irritating distraction some months ago, appears to have now assumed a life of its own, dominating political discourse in the country, with all kinds of mischief-makers and opportunists latching on to it, to heat up the polity unnecessarily.

“The pointless, diversionary and very distractive hue and cry about the President’s alleged ambition to seek a second term in office is becoming increasingly disturbing by the day with headlines such as “Jonathan’s 2015 Ambition Can Break Up Nigeria” and “Jonathan’s 2015 Ambition Fueling Insecurity,” now regular fare in our newspapers and on the internet.

“For the avoidance of any doubt whatsoever, President Jonathan wishes to reiterate that his primary concern and the focus of all his efforts now, just about a year into the four-year tenure for which he was elected in April 2011, is to deliver on his promise of positive national transformation".

NOTE: Analysts interested in the political permutations of 2015 have quickly pointed out that the statement from the Presidency is lacking in substance. They insisted that the president cleverly avoided the CRITICAL issue, which is whether he (Jonathan) will contest in 2015 or not.