A New Government Coming Next Year – President Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday attended a special church service to commemorate the 2014 Democracy Day celebration at the National Christian Centre.

Speaking during the occasion, the president assured that the challenges currently facing the country will not stop the 2015 general elections from holding.

He said: “After today, the next democracy day will witness a new government. I remember when I was in my village this morning to collect my permanent voter’s card, and a pressman asked me whether there will be elections in Nigeria, I told him there would be elections in this country.”

“This country will continue to move forward inspite of some of the setbacks we are witnessing, ” he added

However, Saraha Reporters sees the president’s statement as an indication that he may not contest the 2015 election.

Is this what the president actually learnt?

This is how Sahara Reporters put the story:

In a speech that is bound to catch his allies, foes and watchers of his administration by surprise, President Goodluck Jonathan today assured Nigerians that a different government and leadership would be installed in Nigeria in 2015.

Mr. Jonathan made the surprise statement at a “Democracy Day” church service held Sunday in Abuja.

Before the president’s speech, the head of the Nigeria Pilgrims Commission, Reverend John Kennedy Opara, had set the tone when he told the gathering that this year’s Democracy Day would be the last to be celebrated by Mr. Jonathan.

When it was the president’s turn to speak, he referred to Reverend Opara’s statement. He echoed the reverend’s statement, assuring Nigerians that the Democracy Day event was the last for his current administration.

A PDP official who was at the event told SaharaReporters that he was mystified by the statements. He said he had no advance notice about the president’s remarks, and so was in no position to interpret its political meaning.

It remains unclear if the two statements are indications that the Nigerian president had decided not to seek a second term in office in general elections scheduled for next year. Mr. Jonathan continues to face criticism both in Nigeria and abroad for his dismal performance since he assumed office more than five years ago.

Our source reported that the church service was not well attended. He stated, however, that some government officials, including Senate President David Mark, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim, and some military chiefs were present. The president’s wife, Patience Jonathan, as well as his mother were also in attendance.

In a minor misstep in protocol, Mr. Jonathan recognized his wife before he did Senator David Mark.