Nigerians’ mandate, my stronghold – Jonathan

Still reviewing events of the past week, President Goodluck Jonathan, Tuesday, tongue-lashed those clamouring for a regime change, saying the peoples' mandate still in his possession makes it very difficult for even a dreamer to attempt such dangerous move.The President also apologised to the international community resident in Nigeria for the turbulence and trauma it experienced while the one week nationwide strike lasted, saying the temporary crisis has made Nigeria stronger as a nation.

Speaking during the annual diplomatic dinner at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Jonathan said despite the protests that trailed the removal of subsidy, the government was prepared to manage the nation's oil resources to the benefit of the Nigerian people.
His said: "We believe that democracy that is not dictated by the vote of the people is not a good democracy. Until the vote of the people count, that is when we can say this is a democracy. And I believe also that it is difficult for you to topple such a democracy because it is the people that elect those that are ruling.

"But if people impose themselves on ordinary people, of course such a democracy may not be able to stand on a solid ground. With a little turbulence such a government will fall. In Nigeria we are totally committed to democracy and enduring democratic culture that the votes of individuals will count.
"I can assure you that it has even made us stronger and indeed better. We promise that we will continue to grow from strength to strength and for the incident of last week, we have put them behind us and we are moving forward. We will not experience that kind of situation again.
"We will make sure we work hard to ensure we will not experience that again. We appreciate your understanding. I know some people must have come to you and send all kinds of messages to your various governments. I believe that you know that the position of the government is the best for the people."

President Jonathan said the civil protests have gone a long way in strengthening the resolve of the leadership to make Nigeria a better society.
"Let me again thank you for your various role and assure you that as we move into the new year even though we started the year with some kind of protest. I regret the inconveniences some of you passed through because of the government attempt to look at the way we look at our oil industry by adjusting the pump price and the issue of deregulating the oil sector that led to demonstrations by labour and civil societies.

"I believed some of you suffered some inconvenience because you couldn't go out for a week, you couldn't visit people you would have loved to visit."
In an earlier remark, Dean of the diplomatic corps and ambassador of Burkina Faso, Yamego Dramane, thanked the president for organising the dinner.

He expressed the support of the diplomatic community to the leadership of President Jonathan saying that "We stand behind you and Nigeria in the fight against terrorism."
While recalling the strategic roles of Nigeria in the sub-region and the World in general, the diplomat urged the president to continue to do more for the unity and economic development of the sub-region.