Single Term: I ‘ll not run in 2015 – Jonathan
…NASS to get bill before August 31
BY DANIEL IDONOR
ABUJA – PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan,Thursday, reaffirmed his earlier decision not to stand for the 2015 presidential election; saying that his only ambition for the proposed amendment to the constitution is for national interest and nothing else.
The presidency said the proposed Constitution Amendment Bills as being packaged by the executive arm of government is to be sent to the National Assembly for consideration, debate and passage before the end of August this year; just as the Federal Executive Council, FEC, is expected to discussed and approve it as an Executive Bill, in the next two weeks.
Presidential Spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati who briefed State House Correspondents disclosed that President Jonathan welcome the national debate, the proposal has generated as healthy for democracy but denied that the issue is capable of crippling the business of governance at the federal level.
Dr Abati reiterated his boss earlier declaration in February this year that he will not run for a second term, and his recent statement on single term for the president and the 36 governors, which he (Jonathan) does not intend to benefit from.
“I believe what it means in very clear term is that the President will not be a beneficiary. In other words, the President will not come in 2015 to benefit if the amendment says so. Because, if he tries to do that, those who are saying it is an attempt at tenure elongation will have been vindicated. And he is fully aware of the concern of Nigerians and he is insisting, he is resolute in upholding that statement that he will not be a beneficiary”, he said.
Asked to be specific if the President will contest the 2015 presidential election, he said “that has been made clear by Mr President that this proposal is not to pursue any personal interest and he has also made it clear that if the proposed amendment scale through, he will not be a beneficiary.
I don’t see anything that can be more categorical than that. That is quite clear. I think the statement he made in Addis Ababa shortly before elections was that he will not seek a second term in office”.
The media aide however hinged his comment on the controversy on an earlier pronouncement of his boss during a trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; saying that “now that the matter has come up I will have to meet him to get an answer for you later”.
Dr Abati pointed that the outcome of the bill will determine the ultimate fate of Mr president; stressing that “we have to wait until that proposal becomes a Bill and the National Assembly debate it and we all know the details. If Nigerians do not want such an amendment it will be the decision of the Nigerian people”.
He added that “at the end of the day, all of these will be the decision of the Nigerian people. But all of us are free to contribute to the national debate without acrimony, without name calling, we have to develop a system whereby we operate at the level of ideas so that we can raise the quality of thought in our environment”.
