Nigeria Will Thrive In 2016, I Proved Elections Can Be Concluded Without Bloodshed – Jonathan

BEVERLY HILLS, January 04, (THEWILL) – The immediate past president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has assured that regardless of the seeming challenges, Nigeria will not only survive but will thrive in the present year.

Jonathan, who stated this in a New Year message to Nigerians posted on his Facebook timeline, expressed optimism that peace, prosperity and unity will reign among the citizenry.

According to him, “In the 80s, our people sang and danced to the hit song 'Nigeria go survive'. I am convinced that in 2016, Nigeria will not only survive, she will also thrive and help drive the peace, prosperity and unity of all her people.”

He however called on Nigerians to make 2016 a turning point year by embracing one another and working as a team to advance the nation's frontiers in all fields of human endeavour.

The post reads, “On behalf of my family and I, I would like to wish all Nigerians a Happy New Year.

“We are all brothers and sisters born from the womb of one Nigeria and as I have said previously, we would not be Nigerians if God did not will it.

“Having found ourselves as Nigerians by the divine providence of God, let us celebrate our Nigerianness and make 2016 our turning point year in which we embrace each other and work as a team to advance the frontiers of Nigeria in every field of human endeavour.”

Meanwhile, in a another Facebook post on Monday night, the ex-President stressed that by honourably handing over power to his successor, Muhammadu Buhari, he has proven that elections can be conducted without bloodshed.

The post which came as a reaction to his receipt of The African Sun Times Man of the Year award conferred on him by the international magazine, says Jonathan remains eternally grateful to Nigerians for standing by him, before, during and after the last presidential election.

According to him, “I thank The African Sun Times for naming me as its International Person of the year, 2015. I am indeed humbled by this honour. When I think about it, I understand why this medium may have thought me worthy of such an honour. However, I believe that my people, the Nigerian people, are more deserving of this honour.

“We, the Nigerian people put to shame naysayers and prophets of doom and in 2015, we held a most transparent, violence free and credible elections that transferred power from one political party to another and from an incumbent to the opposition, without rancour, bitterness or strife. In the process, we proved that nobody’s political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian or any national of any country for that matter.

“That to me, is a most worthy testimonial of the character of the Nigerian nation and the resilience of our people which is why I dedicate this honour to them. May God continue to bless Nigeria and Nigerians. GEJ.”