Nigeria will surely return to good times -- Jonathan

 

(Nigeria) President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday in Abuja said the victory of Nigeria's Super Eagles and the Saturday peaceful election in Ekiti State were signs of unfolding greatness of Nigeria as a nation.

The Super Eagles on Saturday defeated their Bosnia and Herzegovina counterparts by 1-0 at the ongoing world football tournament in Brazil, while the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate in Ekiti State, Mr Ayo Fayose, won the state governorship election.

The president, who was speaking at the Aso Villa Church, Abuja, after his investiture as the Grand Patron of the Boys Brigade, Nigeria, noted that the Eagles, by their performance, made Nigeria and Nigerians proud.

He further stated that the peaceful conduct of the Ekiti poll was an indication that Nigeria could get the conduct of elections right.

‘‘I'm particularly happy today because of the two events that happened on Saturday. First was the election in Ekiti State. I'm quite happy not necessarily because my party won the election.

‘‘Yes, as a leader of the party, I'm supposed to be happy, but it is beyond that. I was told that there may be crisis in Ekiti because the report I got before the election, the feeling was that yes, one party might win or lose, but there will be fire and brimstone.

‘‘I have to commend the Nigerian police and other security agencies for the way they were able to manage the election. Today, Ekiti is in a peaceful state, elections are over and of course to cap it all, those of you who watched the late night match, the Eagles made us proud.

‘‘I only see this as a sign of unfolding of a greater nation coming; Nigeria will surely take its rightful in the comity of nations; all the challenges will surely pass away,’’ he said

The president also expressed appreciation to those who had been praying fervently for the success of the efforts by government to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency.

‘‘First, let me use this opportunity to appreciate all Nigerians because those of us who are from the Eastern Region know what civil war was.

‘‘But since that time, this country has not passed through these threats. I appreciate the feelings of Nigerians, the endurance and the support they have been giving to the government.