President Goodluck Jonathan, has thanked Nigerians for their
support when he declared his intention to run for the office of the
president in the 2011 general elections. Jonathan made the declaration
at a well attended rally at the Eagle Square, Abuja on September 18.

In a message, personally signed by Jonathan and made available to State House correspondents, he expressed gratitude to Nigerians who turned
out to take part in the declaration, stressing: “Vice-President Namadi
Sambo and I wish to join our campaign organisation to express our
heartfelt appreciation to our elder statesmen, the leadership of the
National Assembly and the state governors."

“We are grateful to the distinguished senators and honourable members
of the House of Representatives, captains of industries and titans of
commerce, women’s groups, youth and students, who besieged Abuja to
join in the occasion. We are also grateful to the millions of Nigerians
who witnessed the event at home and abroad via the electronic media and
the internet and for their messages of  hope and encouragement.”

The president in the message, re-assured Nigerians that his commitment to the transformation of the country was unwavering. He said his
administration was tackling the problems of power, security,
infrastructure and the economy. "We are determined to build a new
nation, and set us irrevocably on a path to catch up with and indeed
overtake our peers of yesteryears.”