A group under auspices of association of Fulani almajiri has storm International conference centre, to procured the N100 million All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential expression of interest and nomination forms for former president Goodluck Jonathan to contest.
Speaking to journalists after purchasing the nomination form, the leaders of the group, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said they represent two of the most vulnerable communities in Nigeria. The nomadic pastoralist and the almajiri communities who have decided to purchase this form for him.
“You may recall ladies and gentlemen of the press that during Goodluck Jonathan’s era he was the first president since independence of Nigeria who has found it expedient, who was magnanimous enough.
” To some of us who remember the almajiri community, he brought a comprehensive policy of reformation and integration of the almajiri into the mainstream educational system in Nigeria. It was the dream and the vision of President Goodluck Jonathan that if that program had continued it would one day produce from the Almajiri system of education; Doctors, engineers. Unfortunately, that program was kept aside as soon as he left.
“Other parts of the community ( the vulnerable community) that Goodluck Jonathan wanted to really give a sense of belonging was the fulani community, the nomadic pastoralist.
The group noted that the former president set aside N60 Billions in the coffer of the Central Bank of Nigeria which was to be used to develop livestocks in Nigeria.
“I believe if government had continued with that program, today, we will have been the Denmark, the Sweden, the Holland of the entire Africa in terms of livestock, in terms of beef and so on.
” Looking at this, situation and of course the problems Nigeria today is facing, we believe that only a leader with that kind of patriotism, a leader with that kind of fairness who is ready to give every Nigerian sense of belonging can be able to rule this country and that leader is Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
“As you may have heard, a lot of interest groups have been coming out to urge him to contest but we felt that because is the deadline that was given whether he agrees or not we need to purchase this form. Goodluck Jonathan is for all Nigeria.
” As a Nigerian we believe he has the interest of this country at heart, he will accept us. You can see that we are almost late to buy these forms, we have been trying with the Almajiri and the Fulani’s selling our cows. We were able to raise this cow just yesterday and we decided to come and purchase these forms.
“Let Nigerians support this project. If you are talking about Goodluck Jonathan, I don’t think there is any aspirant so far that we have seen that can be compared in any way with Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Unless if Nigerians are not serious, unless if we don’t want to integrate and unite in this country, unless if you want to continue playing the politics of religion, tribalism.
“You see I’m a Fulani man, coming from the far north but I tell there is no Nigerian today that I can cast my vote for, campaign vote except Jonathan. For me Jonathan is best amongst all the aspirants, irrespective of where he comes from, religion.
” Goodluck Jonathan is the best president for Nigeria and I hope with this purchase of forms today, I call on all the aspirants if the are really patriotic, if the want Nigeria unity, if they can want sense of belonging if they want a president for all, if they want a president that has come out to say his ambition does not worth the blood of any Nigerian no matter how lowly or highly placed such Nigerian is and he lived to that word when the chips were down, I think it is time for Nigerians to tell that man to come back and lead you,” he said.
