The President, who was speaking at a with a North West delegation of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), led by former defence Mohammed Hamidu, also noted that he was not bothered by the several criticisms against his administration as most of them were illogical and cheap blackmail that only existed in newspapers and television stations.
According to the President, such blackmail were further advanced in the media in a format that was not new in the Nigerian political system towards an election year. He added that all those who called themselves elders and were older than him, who had held different offices in the land, should come out with their report cards and compare their achievements at the same spate of time with him.
The over two hundred delegates arrived in seven buses. The Delegation included Governors Shehu Shema (Katsina), Muktar Ramalan Yero (Kaduna), Seidu Dakingari (Kebbi), Chairman of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Bamanga; Mohammed Abacha, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na'Abba and Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Muktar Shagari, as well as party delegates from Sokoto, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kaduna, Katsina, Kanio and Zamfara states.
"Sometimes, when you hear people talk about this government on the television or in the newspaper you will think this government is 10 years old but we are only two years eight months old. By May this year, we will be three years old and by May 2014, we will be four years old. And I challenge some of those who criticise without thinking, to compare what we have done in the two years eight months with that of any other administrations in this country and outside.
"That is why when we presented our mid-term report for two years, I asked people to develop their marking scheme. It is not just to criticise but you have to compare and especially a government that is facing too much challenges," the President said.
According to Jonathan, it was also wrong to feel that the country's position was secured in the committee of nations by its oil. He further noted that what made the country thick was its verse arable land resources and the diversity of its people as oil did not make Nigeria wealthy when placed side by side its population.
Thanking the delegates for paying him a solidarity visit following all that was going on in the party, Jonathan noted that the visit was unique as this "is the first PDP group coming for a solidarity visit. Ethnic nationalities and different groups are coming but PDP stakeholders from either a state or a zone, this is the first visit so we appreciate.
"The North West is the first, for you to have done this it means PDP in the zone have been meeting, discussing and have been strengthening the party. This is critical because unity is strength in terms of political party as long as the PDP in the zone continue to discuss on how to stay together and work together to protect the interest of the party, there is no way any other party can come and over take us."
The President, who noted that PDP was still the number one party, urged the delegates not to allow anyone deceive them to defect to another party. In his words, "Yes, people may have access to the media and use it robustly to their own advantage or disadvantage. But as long as we are united we will do everything possible to keep the party together, PDP continue to dey dam dam. No shaking!
"Nobody should come and deceive to cross over to the other side that you don't know what is there. Some people are crossing to where they don't know, well we will know as we progress but collectively all of us working together with other members across the country, we will still be the leading party.
"There is no ward, no voting unit that you don't have PDP members, in fact if you go to some areas they don't even know this new name yet, even where to thumb print on the ballot paper they don't even know. So be rest assured our party will continue to work together to strengthen the party and it will continue to be the number party in this country,"
In a mood heralding the political template for 2015 elections, Bello said they had come to pledge their unwavering support for President Jonathan over his transformation agenda, developmental policies, milestones set in the education sector, the national confab and the security measures taken in the North East.
Bello also maintained that with the caliber of people at the meeting with the President, the party had lost nothing in the zone in political structuring and restructuring taking place ahead of 2015.
According to Bello, Jonathan had done so well in the short period of his governing the country, with several of such dividends reflecting openly in the North West zone of the country.
Bello also said that he appreciated President Jonathan, applauded the almajiri education system and the establishment of nine universities in the zone, the road and rail projects and the agricultural landmark achievements recorded so far.
Bello also called on the President to further provide implements to farmers and increase in financing of agricultural projects to increase farmers output.
Bello went on to praise the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, for galvanising the party structure in the region and on the strengthening of the stronghold of the party amidst political realignment and alignments. According to him, the Vice President was working hard and he was on ground in the region.
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