A group of Nigerians in Diaspora (NIDO), UK, has hailed the declaration of President Goodluck Jonathan to run for office in the 2011 elections. Comfort Iheanacho, a university don and member of NIDO, said that Jonathan’s decision to run was a positive step aimed at bringing the “desired change the nation required’’.
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Iheanacho popularly called “Mama Nigeria’’ said that Jonathan’s election would ensure continuity in government’s policies and programmes, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. “Upon assumption of office, he declared a state of emergency in the power sector, so far we learnt the challenges of power is gradually being addressed, this and many more are some areas that we need continuity’’ she stressed. She said that the challenges of development were not peculiar to Nigeria, “but the difference is in the commitment of other leaders towards addressing these challenges, this we hope, Jonathan can achieve’’.
She called on Nigerians to support the President in his election bid, saying “our vote is our voice, let us support and make a difference’’. Similarly, Dr Michael Ugo, who blamed the nation’s underdevelopment on inconsistencies of government’s policies, said that Jonathan’s decision “was borne out of necessity, it is only natural for him to run to continue his policies.
Ugo said that it was time for change in Nigeria, adding “ we need a new order, America tried it and it worked , we can also do it’’. He, however, expressed concern over INEC’s lack of capacity to “include Nigerians in Diaspora in the voting exercise.
“ We live in the 21st century, the world has become a global village, it is a matter of technology, if the right consultants are engaged, it will be possible to count our votes’’. Also speaking, Mrs Sefinatu Mohammed, an activist , said that the 2011 elections would be a true test of the nation’s democracy, while stressing the need for free and fair elections.
Mohammed who lauded Jonathan’s declaration, said that “this is democracy, everyone should be given an opportunity to contest irrespective of power shift, what we want is a credible leader’’.
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