It’ll Be Tougher To Win Now,Says Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday
maintained that he deserves the votes of
Nigerians as his party, the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP), has done well in many sectors in
the last four years.
Dr. Jonathan was answering questions on
an African Independent Television (AIT)
program, Kaakaki.
Stressing that PDP still has the most formidable
structure among the political parties, he said he
was not worried about the possible outcome of
the forthcoming presidential election.
He said: “I believe Nigerians should vote for me
and I want Nigerians to vote for me because we
have done well. Sometimes, as a government,
we are busy working and we don’t advertise
what we have done.”
“Sometimes, it appears not much (is done).
Nigeria is a very big country…If you assess what
we have done in a number of areas, we have
done quite well and I believe that if Nigeria is
linking up to where we were before and what
we have done over these four years of
government, they will want us to continue to
make sure we at least complete some of the
ongoing programmes.”
“We believe that in several areas, we have tried
and we are working very well and if encouraged
in the next four years, at least Nigeria will be
able to stabilize in various sectors.”
The President however admitted that it will be
tougher to win the election now than it was in
2011.
He said: “In 2011 there were four strong parties.
The PDP was strong, the ACN was strong, the
CPC was strong and the ANPP was strong. So
we had four strong political parties presidents
sharing the votes of Nigeria. Yes I agree with
you it was easier in 2011 but PDP is still the
dominant party.
“In 2011 we had three presidential candidates
against the PDP it was easier. But if these
three have come together no matter how strong,
in politics coming together also has a cost. As a
second term president, globally in 70 per cent of
the cases it is most challenging for the
President to secure a second term than first
term.”
He noted that people from the PDP that gave
the opposition the strength it currently enjoys,
adding that if the PDP elements were to leave
the opposition, they would crumble.
He said: “Even the opposition will tell you if
they are realistic. Who has strengthened the
opposition? Are the not the PDP elements? If
you remove the PDP elements from the
opposition, they will just crumble like a pack of
cards.”
“Why are people aggressive towards the PDP to
the extent that even the presidential convoy is
stoned? Why do you show that aggression? If
you are comfortable, you will not do that.” he
said
Jonathan maintained that the increasing victory
against the insurgents close to the election
period was not political, as the military had just
started receiving about 65 per cent of the
required equipment to fight the insurgents.