Abuja: Nigerian President Goodluck
Jonathan today announced on his Facebook page that he will run
in the oil-rich African country`s presidential polls scheduled
for January, ending months of speculation over his plans.
"I Goodluck Ebele Jonathan by the grace of God hereby
offer myself and my services to the Nigerian people as a
candidate for the office of President in the forth coming 2011
elections," he wrote on his Facebook page stating that he had
consulted widely before taking the decision.
Jonathan said he consulted with members of his family,
his party, the opposition, civil society, the Private Sector,
members of the Labour Unions, religious leaders, youths and
student groups and traditional institutions before taking the
decision.
Jonathan became Nigeria`s President after the death of
President Umaru Musa Ya`Adua early this year thereby bringing
to fore a highly controversial issue of zoning power within
the ruling People`s Democratic Party (PDP) between the highly
dominated Muslim north and Christian south.
He is from the South whereas Yar`Adua was from the
north. His aides could not be reached for comments but the US
Assistant Secretary of State Johnie Carson told the media on
phone that his was a unique way of declaration.
A table published recently slated presidential
election in Nigeria for January 22, 2011 by the country`s
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The parliamentary elections are scheduled for January
15 while the governorship comes up on January 29.
Two notable candidates, former military dictator
General Ibrahim Babangida and former vice president Abubakar
Atiku have indicated their interest to contest for presidency.
Nigeria, Africa`s most populous country with a
population of 150 million, returned to democracy in 1999 after
several years of military intervention.
Since then, presidential elections which are conducted
every four years and have been won by the PDP.
Though opposition parties challenged the victories,
the courts always rule in favour of PDP citing lack of
evidence to prove the elections were rigged.
PTI
