No One ’ll Manipulate Votes In My Favour, Says Jonathan

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan says he will not allow the manipulation of votes during the forthcoming general elections.


The President, who made the declaration during his campaign rally in Makurdi recently said : “Nigerians’ votes must count.’’


According to him, the internal democracy witnessed at the Eagle’s Square in Abuja during the presidential primaries will reflect in the April polls.


“We must vote the people we want. We no longer want a situation where people are imposed on us.


“I promise Nigerians that even though I am contesting, nobody will manipulate any vote in my favour.


Jonathan said he was holding on to the promise he made to Nigerians and the world that their votes must count.


He said that was why he and his campaign team were working assiduously to convince the electorate to vote for him and other PDP candidates in the general elections.


“We have gone to the six geo-political zones and we are going from state to state.


“After that we will still go back to some of these states to tell the people what we stand for, to tell them that we stand for change, transformation, and that we are ready to create wealth in the country.


“We don’t believe that although we are the ruling party and we are in government, any governmental instrument be used in our favour,’’ he said.


The President also said that his government had a five-year plan to revolutionise agriculture and establish industries in the country.


“Benue is the home of food, so it is easier to create wealth here. We will complete the irrigation project we started in Oturkpo,’’ he promised.


“The governor (Suswam) also requested a bridge across the River Benue. We promise that the second Niger Bridge and the Benue Bridge are projects that we will work on in the next four years.’’


Jonathan further promised to operate an open administration devoid of discrimination irrespective of the people’s religion and ethnic persuasions.


“If a Nigerian wakes up, he should know that he can at least eat, we know that poverty does not speak any language, does not love anybody and does not belong to any ethnic nationality.


“You all know about my humble background, I came from a wretched home but look at where I am today. We have come to bring hope to the people,’’ he said.


Reports say that Vice-President Namadi Sambo, PDP Acting National Chairman, Haliru Mohammed, and Senate President David Mark, were among the leaders who gave goodwill messages at the rally.


Leaders of 10 political parties, including APGA, Mega Progressive People’s Party, Democratic People’s Party and Action Alliance, were at the rally to support the Jonathan/Sambo ticket.