We’ll run an all-inclusive govt to prevent riots, says Jonathan
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- Category: April 2011 Polls
- Published on Wednesday, 20 April 2011 07:50
- Written by Admin
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President Goodluck Jonathan has promised to run an all-inclusive government to prevent the kind of riots that erupted in parts of the North, following the release of the presidential election results.
He also promised to assist the families who suffered losses as a result of the riots.
The President spoke at the National Election Institute in Abuja, after receiving his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Jonathan was on Monday night declared the winner of last Saturday’s presidential election after the votes were tallied.
He said: “We witnessed some skirmishes in parts of the country. It is really regrettable. This is what happened in the late 50s when some parts of the country witnessed things like this. But that is what the new generation of leaders have to face. We will make sure that in the next four years, issues like this will not lead to riot. We assure Nigerians we will carry everyone along; we will run an open government where all Nigerians will play a key role, irrespective of party affiliations.
“For those who have lost families, properties, we assure them that we will look into all the issues; we will take inventory of all the properties destroyed to ensure that similar things don’t happen again. We use this opportunity to appeal to all leaders and religious leaders to condemn the act so that our country will witness major development.”
The President said riots could stop investments, which the nation needs to grow its economy. “Nobody will want to invest in a place that is unstable, that people fight, kill and destroy. Most of the youths involved in this act, from what we see, look like unemployed young people. These are people we are committed to change their lives. With these are people we must find jobs for so that they will no longer be tools.
With the President were Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, ministers and party faithful.
Jonathan challenged INEC to do better in Tuesday’s governorship and state assembly elections.
He said: “We thank God. It is God that made it possible. If it is man, it wouldn’t have been possible. Secondly, we want to appreciate Nigerians for the cooperation they gave to INEC and indeed this government and for massively turning out on Saturday to vote for us.
“It shows you are patriotic. We watche on television, we saw old people. We really have to commend INEC, Prof. Jega and his team have made Nigeria proud.
“Before now, the international observers used to paint our elections in different colours, but this year’s elections, first that of the National Assembly and then the presidential, the information we have received and what we have read in the newspapers is that they have given us a pass mark.
“It has to be so because of the competence of INEC officers and the position, not compromising your independence. We thank you. All Nigerians are happy because you have placed us on higher rung of the ladder and others have seen us as people who conduct credible elections.
“This is the beginning of good governance; this is the beginning of economic development; this is the beginning of major changes in this country. We hope that by the grace of God, the last leg of election coming on Tuesday will be better than the presidential elections.” (The Nation)
