The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari was absent at the last round of the Presidential Debate organised by the Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG) in Abuja on Sunday. His fellow front runner for the March 28 election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Goodluck Jonathan, however, joined four other presidential candidates for the debate.
The four other presidential candidates include Comfort Oluremi Sonaiya of the Kowa Party, Martins Onovo of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Godson Okoye of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and Chekwas Okorie of the United Peoples Party (UPP).
Speaking on why he thinks he deserves to be re-elected, President Jonathan said it would help to consolidate his achievements since 2011.
“Nigerians should vote for me because of the progress we have made since 2011. Before 2011, Nigerians were not interested in the conduct of free and fair elections, but with the electoral reforms introduced by this administrations, there are electoral reforms have made a free and fair elections possible,” Jonathan said.
He also spoke of his achievements as president. “Today, due to this administration’s efforts, over 90 percent of the rail system has been rejuvenated and efforts are on to link every state capital with a railway network system.”
Jonathan also said that his administration have improved agricultural system, agriculture and power.
“If Nigeria is to move forward, there is the need for stability,” adding: “My re-election will give room for consolidation.”
The president used the occasion of the presidential debate to assure Nigerians that all elections, including Presidential and the National Assembly elections, will hold as rescheduled.