President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday said that his landslide victory at the 2011 general election was a clear indication that Nigerians wanted him to rule this country.
He affirmed that he was even ready to lose the election if the electorates no longer want him continue.
The President gave this ‘revelation’ during a breakfast meeting organized by the African Business Roundtable in New York, United States, on the Nigerian economy.
Jonathan however added that the electoral reforms embarked upon by his administration would continue, even as he will continue to make sure that the entire electoral process is dependent on the choices of the electorates.
The meeting had in attendance, former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair; former United States Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice; international investors and captains of industry from Nigeria.
President Jonathan said that his administration would continue to churn out credible and responsible leaders that would continue to turn things around for the country.
He said: “We are totally committed to solving our problems. We started with the electoral process and we have demonstrated our commitment in sanitizing that system, because when the people put you there, you will be committed to serving them
“I was ready to lose the election if Nigerians did not want me.
If I was ready to be disgraced out of office to sanitise the system, that is to tell you that I am ready to sanitize the system to bring about investments in our country,” he said.
Earlier, former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair urged Nigerians not to always accept the stance of the opposition on issues, as they were not speaking for the majority of the citizens but a few with personal interest.
He cited the case of the deregulation and the the removal of fuel subsidy as well as other heart-burning issues bothering the nation. Blair urged Jonathan to have the courage to proceed with the planned economic reforms.
Blair maintained that nothing would stop Nigeria from realizing its reform purpose, noting that Nigeria’s progress depends on how far Africa can go.
Also adding her voice, Ms Rice congratulated Jonathan for the feat the country has achieved so far in his ( Jonathan’s) administration. She assured him that Nigeria would surely get better.
