Jonathan tasks Buhari on Ekiti guber poll
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has inaugurated the 1.2 kilometres flyover built by the administration of Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, with a call on President Muhammadu Buhari to allow the peoples will prevail in the July 14 governorship election.
The former president, while speaking on Friday evening during the inauguration of the project in Ado Ekiti, urged the people of the state to support what he termed the youthful team of Professor Kolapo Olusola/Mr. Deji Ogunsakinput ticket as the governorship /deputy candidates of the PDP in the coming election.
While cautioning President Buhari against labelling Nigerian youths as lazy, he said such comment portrays Nigeria as a failed nation.
Jonathan described Fayose as an exemplary leader and loyal party man, who has done the PDP proud in all facets, adding, “I don’t believe anybody can defeat the PDP in Ekiti if election is going to be held. I want to advise President Buhari not to deploy power to truncate Ekiti election”.
He warned the APC controlled federal government not to rig the election in favour of the candidate of its party.
“Though as a president, you have the power but don’t do that because of posterity. History will record whatever you do and the power of a leader is determined after leaving office and not when he is in office.
“The will of the people must be allowed to stand at all times, because power belongs to them and we must respect their verdict through the ballots”, he said.
Jonathan countered the statement credited to President Buhari that Nigerian youths are lazy, saying, “Nigerians youth are not lazy. I don’t believe that, because I have worked with them closely. They are great people with great potentials who should be celebrated by any leader.
“As leaders, we must make sure we present a country that will make us proud and not to use our country as a negative example in Africa to the outside world.
“Portraying Nigerians in negative manners has occurred on two occasions under this present government. These are mistakes we should not make.
“I want to thank you for your support for the PDP since 2015 and we expect you to do more in the coming governorship election”.
Speaking on education, Jonathan said: “Any leader who wants to encourage his people must encourage the education of the youth. If you don’t encourage youths, they will be exploited .
“As youths, you have to be aware that we are operating a knowledge based economy, so you must be proficient in the use of computer, this you can’t compromise if you want to fit into the 21st century economy”.