I am not surprised, says President Jonathan.

The president said that since losing his re-election bid, he has had friends and associates desert him. Even the congregation numbers at Aso Villa chapel has dwindled, he said.

He said this while speaking at the 5th presidential prayer breakfast in the Banquet Hall of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.

City People quotes him as saying: “Today (yesterday), I expected a very low turn-out because in most cases, when a government is going, people reduce. You will notice that even the Aso Villa Chapel, the number of people that will be coming become less and less. But when I came in, I noticed that this whole hall is filled up. So, I’ve to sincerely thank all of you. We’re all here because we believe in the power of prayers in nation building. The essence of the presidential prayer breakfast is to call on all Nigerians to come together and pray.

“For us to build Nigeria, we need these prayers. This should be captioned presidential breakfast prayer comprising all aspects of prayers for us to rebuild our nation.Yes, we have challenges as a nation, but every other nation passes through challenges. I remember in 2009 when I visited the Nordic countries, they told me they were celebrating 200 years of peace that has enabled them to develop. Nigeria was 49 years old as an independent nation in 2009″, he told the gathering comprising former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) and former Head of the Interim National Government Chief Ernest Shonekan.”