By Rafiu Ajakaye
LAGOS
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday officially launched his reelection campaign, saying his decision to seek a second term in office was based on calls by ordinary citizens and ruling party leaders.
"After seeking the face of God, in quiet reflection with my family and having listened to the call of our people nationwide to run, I, Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, have accepted to re-present myself, on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, for reelection as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015 general elections," Jonathan said at an elaborate ceremony attended by large crowds.
"I am convinced that I have kept my pact with Nigerians; it is now time to look to the future," he said.
"With your tremendous support, we have collectively done so much in the last three and half years. But to take our country to the next level, there is still more to be done," the president added to the cheers of supporters and ruling party officials.
Jonathan said he would offer himself for reelection in the conviction that no leader "walks away from his people in moments of challenge."
"We must stand together in adversity and overcome all threats to our development," he insisted. "We must defend our future, for the sake of our children."
The comment was apparently aimed at critics who questioned his decision to announce his reelection bid only one day after a school was bombed and amid deepening insecurity.
His declaration came after 47 people, mostly schoolchildren, were killed in a suicide bombing that was initially blamed on Boko Haram militants.
"Our stewardship has not been without challenges," Jonathan said. "We have had to deal with the wave of insurgency that has swept through some parts of our dear country."
"Only yesterday, the Government Science Secondary School in Yobe State was bombed by insurgents, killing our promising young children who were seeking education to build the country and support their parents," he said.
"Many Nigerians have lost their lives and property to these mindless killings," the president added.
But his speech, which referred to several initiatives already launched to tackle insecurity and take care of victims, lacked specifics, especially in regard to new steps aimed at reining in the militants.
"Clearly, this has cast a dark cloud on our nation, but we will surely win the war against terror," he said.
In recent months, the Boko Haram militant group has captured numerous towns and villages in the northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, declaring them part of an "Islamic caliphate."
Hundreds of civilians have been killed and tens of thousands displaced.
Boko Haram, which means "Western education is forbidden" in Nigeria's local Hausa language, first emerged in the early 2000s preaching against government misrule and corruption.
The group later became violent, however, after the death of its leader in 2009 while in police custody.
In the five years since, the shadowy sect has been blamed for numerous attacks on places of worship and government institutions, along with thousands of deaths.
Along with Nigeria, Turkey and the U.S. have both designated Boko Haram as a terrorist organization.
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