BY DANIEL IDONOR
OBA of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, yesterday described President Goodluck Jonathan as a man of his words, who would not renege in his promises to propel Nigeria for global reckoning economically if voted in April.

“You are a man of your words and your star is bright.  I wish you well”, Oba Akiolu wished the president as he flagged off the Lagos presidential campaign rally.

The Oba recalled with nostalgia how the president led the Presidential campaign team to Lagos as running mate of the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2007.

“That day, you were sitting with other party members there, and I invited you to come and sit by my throne. I saw your shining star then. It is still shining, and God would not allow it to go dim. The Almighty God will see you through,” he said.

Oba Akiolu lauded President Jonathan for his promise of free and fair elections, stating that it was important to let all votes count.

He assured the president of the commitment of Lagosians to the electoral process, noting that Lagosians knew who to vote in as president and who to vote in as governor.

Speaking earlier, President Jonathan said he was committed to politics without bitterness.

“Political parties are only platforms of political expression. The goal is development, and once we are all committed to that goal, we do not need to quarrel,” the president said.

The President said his commitment was to Nigeria as a single indivisible entity, stressing that “being at the centre, therefore, I am ready to work with everyone to bring progress to all of Nigeria.”

Dr. Jonathan maintained that though Nigeria’s past leaders had all done very well within the context of the challenges of the time, it was time to turn the page, and lead the country to a great new dawn.

He called on Lagosians to join hands with him to build the new Nigeria we all yearn for.