March 28: Jonathan Explains Why It Will Be Difficult For Him To Win

President Goodluck Jonathan has admitted that it will be tougher for him to win the 2015 presidential election now than it was in 2011.

The president made this known  yesterday, March 5, while answering questions on an African Independent Television (AIT) programme, Kaakaki.

According to The Nation, President Jonathan explained that in the 2011 election, the votes were split between four political parties which made it easier for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to win.

He said: “In 2011 there were four strong parties. The PDP was strong, the ACN was strong, the CPC was strong and the ANPP was strong. So we had four strong political parties presidents sharing the votes of Nigeria. Yes I agree with you it was easier in 2011 but PDP is still the dominant party.

“In 2011 we had three presidential candidates against the PDP it was easier. But if these three have come together no matter how strong, in politics coming together also has a cost. As a second term president, globally in 70 per cent of the cases it is most challenging for the President to secure a second term than first term.”

The president stressed that PDP still has the most formidable structure among the political parties,  he said he was not worried about the possible outcome of the forthcoming presidential electon.

He said: “I believe Nigerians should vote for me and I want Nigerians to vote for me because we have done well. Sometimes, as a government, we are busy working and we don’t advertise what we have done.

“Sometimes, it appears not much (is done). Nigeria is a very big country…If you assess what we have done in a number of areas, we have done quite well and I believe that if Nigeria is linking up to where we were before and what we have done over these four years of government, they will want us to continue to make sure we at least complete some of the ongoing programmes.”

“We believe that in several areas, we have tried and we are working very well and if encouraged in the next four years, at least Nigeria will be able to stabilise in various sectors.”

Speaking on the war on terrorism, he maintained that the increasing victory against the insurgents close to the election period was not political as the military had just started receiving about 65 per cent of the required  equipment to fight the insurgents.

Meanwhile, the Federal government yesterday had a closed door meeting with parents and relatives of abducted Chibok school girls, where it tabled plans to get the girls released from Boko Haram captivity.