2015: Why Jonathan Must Seek Re-election TAN

A political support group and non-governmental organisation (NGO), Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), insisted yesterday that there was enough justification for President Goodluck Jonathans mandate to be renewed, saying his modest achievements must be consolidated in the interest of the country.

The groups spokesperson, Prof Joe Okanlawon, who made this position known in Awka, the Anambra State capital, told journalists that with his Transformation Agenda, Jonathan had positively impacted on the people and the polity.

According to the renowned professor of Sociology, all the sectors of the economy have received the Midas touch of the president who has proved that, with quality leadership, Nigeria could overcome its challenges and take its pride of place in the comity of nations.

Singling out revolution in the power sector as an outstanding achievement, he said while the successful power reform cannot be wished away by any individual, irrespective of the level of political antagonism, it would be wise and ideal to allow the president to consolidate on his achievements.

Okanlawon noted that a great number of small-scale industries that were forced to shut down because of poor and epileptic power supply had bounced back, following the restoration of power by President Jonathan.

He added that the situation before Jonathan came on board was so bad that the industrialists had to rely on alternative sources of power which were very expensive, thereby making the cost of production higher than the ruling market prices.

He observed that some of the small scale industries that were laid off, with its owners thrown back into the already over-populated unemployment market later became agents of insecurity in the country, justifying the saying that an idle mind is always the devils workshop.

Okanlawon pointed out that things started looking up for the country when the president through reform policies embarked on a systematic restructuring of the power sector by way of privatisation and unbundling which made it possible for over 4000kw of electricity to be generated and distributed across the country. The result, he observed, was magical as all categories of entrepreneurs quickly lubricated their machineries and bounced back to active production.

He stated further that the TANites are so satisfied by the performance of Mr. President to the extent of showcasing the monumental achievements for Nigerians to see for themselves.

He revealed that TAN in demonstration of its support for Jonathan in an unusual radical way sponsored 15 people to Brazil to watch the Super Eagles during the recently concluded World Cup where souvenirs were cheerfully distributed.

Noting that the group will not rest on its oars until the presidents mandate is renewed, Okanlawon who noted that the reward for hard work is more work maintained that allowing Jonathan to take another shot at the presidency after his first four years would consolidate the monumental achievements that will serve as a springboard for further development to whoever succeeds him in 2019.