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2019: JANG SUBMITS LETTER OF INTENT,
SAYS IT’S THE TURN OF OTHER ZONES TO SUPPORT THE MIDDLE BELT.
REMARKS BY DISTINGUISHED SENATOR
JONAH DAVID JANG, CON, ON THE OCCASSION OF HIS PRESENTATION OF A LETTER OF
INTENT TO THE PDP SECRETARIAT, JOS, TUESDAY 28 AUGUST 2018.
PROTOCOL
On this
special day that the Lord has made, I have come here to make history on behalf
of myself, my family, the people of my constituency, Plateau State, the Middle
Belt of Nigeria, and the entire nation. I have come to formally and officially
announce my interest and decision to join the contest for the Presidency of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria in the coming 2019 elections.
I have
followed developments in this nation from its pre-colonial political life and
the struggle of the founders of our democracy, to independence, and the giant
strides made, as well as challenges that followed.
The dreams
of the founders of Nigeria were gigantic, the hopes were huge, but all of them
were achievable. While we have come a long way, and we have made huge gains in
different sectors, we have also suffered many distressing challenges in our nationhood.
These distresses need not delay me here.
Today,
Nigeria has increasingly become a deeply divided nation, and the bases for our
unity are being eroded. We face enormous security challenges emanating from the
proliferation of small arms and light weapons, the increased wave of armed
banditry leading to the annihilation of complete hitherto peaceful communities,
armed communal clashes, religious fundamentalism, armed robbery,
insurgency and unhindered kidnapping
among others. The ideals of the founding fathers of this nation are getting
farther away from the people.
I have come
with a mantra of Restore Nigeria because I see an urgent need to bring back the
founding dream, hope, aspirations and perceptions of greatness of our nation. I
believe in Nigeria as a great nation and in its oneness. I believe we can make
it to the top ten nations of the world in no distant future. I have come to
help position the country in that direction by purposeful leadership.
Our Party,
the PDP, have zoned the Presidency to the North for the purpose of the 2019
elections. The Middle Belt is at the centre of the north, it is the glue of the
north, the bridge of Nigeria, the guarantor of national unity and oneness, and
has sustained the north over time. Sadly, however, this zone has yet to produce
an elected President under our Constitution.
There have
been arguments in our party recently to the effect that the zone of the north
with the highest number of registered voters should be given the Presidential
flag of the party. This is not the position of the Party. It is only the
opinion of some aspirants. The North Central and Middle Belt also have millions
of registered voters who want the Presidency this time around. We have
supported others before. It is their turn now to also support us.
While we do
not begrudge those zones that have benefitted repeatedly, we demand that in the
spirit of one Nigeria, for the inclusion of minorities, for the purpose of fair
play and equity, the Middle Belt should be given the chance and supported in
2019. The Middle Belt is a huge statement about the Nigerian diversity. I
present myself as the face of the Middle Belt in this contest. I also urge the
other parts of the north and the rest of Nigeria to support my candidature for
these reasons.
In making
this decision to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, I am mindful of the enormous challenges faced by our nation. I also
know that these challenges require more than mere political aspiration and
ambition to occupy office for its glamour. I know that we need extraordinary
persons with vast experience and knowledge of this country, with proven record
of service and performance. I therefore, bring my experience in military
training, governance, democracy, the Legislature and general development to
bear on my decision to lead Nigeria. I present myself to a higher call to the
service of the nation.
As
President, I will make peace and security a priority of my government and for
the nation. To secure this country and its citizens is the primary function and
purpose of government. We will give this nation security results, we will not
give excuses or cover to any act of criminality and impunity, whatever the
colour and creed of the criminals. We will end the cheapening of the lives of
Nigerians. Gunmen will be known and traced to their roots, arrested and made to
face the law. Nigerians will be proud of their country again.
The clamour
for restructuring will be addressed in line with the provisions of our laws.
Restructuring and reorganizing Nigeria to the comfort of all Nigerians is a
task I will face with commitment. If we have operated a system for 58 years and
Nigerians are asking for a review of the structures, there is no need to delay
it further.
The economy
is the guarantee of our welfare, and the welfare of the citizens is a primary
purpose of government. We shall grow the economy and stop Nigeria from being a
dumping site for the saturated economies of other nations. It is my firm belief
that youth and all forms of unemployment can only be overcome when the economy
is grown beyond its current dependence on oil.
Alongside
growing the economy, all anti graft agencies will be strengthened and made to
fight corruption within the confines of the rule of law. They will be given
space to operate freely and independently, and periodic review of their laws
will be undertaken. The fight against corruption will be total, balanced,
consistent and sustained.
You may
wonder what will happen to agriculture, education, health care, science and
technology, oil and gas, national defence, transportation and infrastructure,
foreign relations and integration in West Africa and Africa, and the rest.
These are issues of routine governance that will be driven by our focus on good
governance. Once the nation is united and secure and the economy is grown,
these sectors will be supervised to ensure they attain their zenith.
Overall, we
will restore hope and the founding ideals of our nation. The Middle Belt is a
firm believer in Nigeria and the Nigerian project. Under me, the best of
Nigeria will emerge.
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