Abuja — President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that every vote counts in next year's general elections, saying that he will make no compromises on that commitment.

He spoke when he received a high-powered delegation led by Gov. Aliyu Akwe Doma of Nasarawa State who were in State House, Abuja, to express support for his bid for next year's presidential election should he indicate interest.

Jonathan insisted that public office holders must truly enter office with the mandate of the people. "We will not shift an inch away from it," he said. "If votes do not count, then public office holders cannot be compelled to do the right thing. Ensuring that all votes count is therefore the best way of ensuring that our democracy stabilizes and our people reap its positive dividends."

He affirmed his administration's commitment to accelerating the pace of national economic development, boosting power supply, and providing essential infrastructure in all parts of the country.

On the specific request by the delegation that the dualisation of the Abuja -Keffi Road be extended to Akwanga and Lafia, and onward to Makurdi and Enugu, the President said that it was his belief that all the arterial roads into the Federal Capital Territory should be expressways to facilitate movement in and out of the city.

"We must factor it into our long-term national planning," he said, adding that his administration was committed to strengthening institutional structures to enhance proper long-term planning and continuity in project delivery.

He said that he would draw on the pledged support of the government and people of Nassarawa State should he decide to seek re-election next year.

Welcoming a promise of "total support and commitment" to his victory in the elections from the delegation, Jonathan said that he was greatly encouraged by the delegation's visit and its appreciation of his administration's achievements in the little time it has had in office.

The delegation which included the Nassarawa State Deputy Governor, Chief Michael Abdul, former Governor Abdullahi Adamu, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, the Emir of Lafia and Chairman of the State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Mustapha Agwai, Senator Abubakar Sodangi, Senator Walid Jibrin, and Chief Yunana Iliya, the PDP Chairman in Nassarawa State told the President that the people of the state had resolved to give him their full support if he presents himself for re-election next year.

"We wish to state that should you decide to answer the clarion calls on you from different parts of the country to contest the 2011 Presidential Election, we, the people of Nassarawa State are resolved to give you our total support and commitment," they said.

Others in the delegation were Alhaji Yusuf Agade Ayitogo, PDP National Vice Chairman, North Central Zone, Alhaji Hussaini Akwanga, Senator Joseph Umaru, Alhaji Hassan Mohammed Agwai, the Emir of Nassarawa, Alhaji Hassan Ahmed, the Andoma of Doma, Alhaji Ahmadu Onawo, the Eus Karu, Chief Luka Panya Baba and several community leaders.