Jonathan Explains Why 4 Years Is Not Enough

President Goodluck Jonathan has declared that four years is too short a time for any government to solve Nigeria’s problems.The president made this declaration, yesterday, January 26, 2015, when he paid a courtesy call on the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari in continuation of his re-election campaign.According to the Daily Post, the Jonathan emphasised that beyond tackling the Boko Haram insurgency, his administration needed time to address other challenges in several sectors of the economy, including creating jobs through diverse means.He said: “Beyond tackling the insurgency, we are creating road networks; we are moving faster in several sectors. There is no way within four years any government can finish the programmes of this country”.Jonathan noted that he was at the emir’s palace to personally inform the royal father that he was running for his “remaining time” in office.“Today, we are here in this state for a political rally. Your Royal Highness, we are here for a purpose. We have been here for a number of times.”Today, we are here for the same mission that brought us in 2011. Even though you must have heard before, I’m here to personally tell you that I am running for my remaining time in office with my vice president who would continue to be my running mate”.He introduced the gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Senator Simeon Ajibola to the emir, and pledged that the people of Kwara State would continue to enjoy freedom and quality of life, if they vote in the PDP candidates.Many see the President’s statements as deviating from his earlier views that:“Four years is enough for anyone in power to make significant improvement and if I can’t improve on power within this period, it then means I cannot do anything even if I am there for the next four years.”Some Northern elites have accused President Goodluck Jonathan of relenting on his promise to serve for a single term. The Presidency has however denied in the past that the President signed any agreement not to seek reelection.