Sen. Helen Esuene; C/River State Gov., Sen. Liyel Imoke of Cross River; Chief Tony Anenih; National Vice Chairman South-South PDP, Dr Steve Oru; Chief of staff to President Jonathan, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, Minister of Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, at the opening ceremony the PDP,South-South expanded zonal executive committee meeting in Calabar last Saturday.
From: Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar
Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, has called for support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term bid as president in 2015.
He sated this in Calabar at a crucial meeting of Expanded Zonal Executive Committee of PDP South-South Zone held at the Peregrine Hall, Governor’s Lodge.
Anenih said Jonathan requires support from Nigerians especially his kinsmen fro the South-South geopolitical zone to pick the presidential ticket on PDP platform and a second term as president of Nigeria in 2015.
He said: “Any person from the South-South who does not support the 2015 bid of President Goodluck Jonathan has a mental case.
He also said that any leader from the region who failed to support Jonathan in his 2015 presidential bid “ should have his head examined’’.
Anenih also said that the South-South region “should not be part of any gang up to bring the president down’’.
“The wide acclamation by the several sectors of the Nigerian public in extolling Mr. President’s leadership profile should be enough reason for the party to grant him automatic ticket.
“The leadership of PDP is from the zone and the President of the country is from the zone.
“ In fact anybody from the South-South whether governor or speaker or state chairman of the party or any other person who does not understand the importance of supporting Jonathan should have his head examined.
“That person has a mental case. Such person should be allowed because I see that as a part of indiscipline.
“The President has the constitutional right to go for a second term and if they should fail at the August 31 convention and he does not get automatic ticket, there will be another convention within 30 days.
“First timers in National Assembly and governors all have the right to seek re-nomination but their acceptance will be based on performance.
“I am appealing to all sons and daughters of the zone to be up and doing and not be seen as members of any gang up to bring the president down.
“Our God and the ancestors will not forgive anyone who plans to the contrary,’’ he said.
In his remarks Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River said that the zone could not afford any compromise for jonathan’s 2015 presidential bid.
He said: “The PDP should make a clear statement that the South-South will excise all its rights as provided by the constitution in 2015.
“The PDP holds a responsibility and duty in its role in ensuring that the south-south is strengthened and all of this should translate into total loyalty and support for President Jonathan especially as it concerns 2015.”
Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, said the Federal Executive Council approved the convention date for August 31, adding that the PDP will continue to deliver on the dividends of democracy.
Oghiadomhe, who represented Jonathan at the occasion which was rounded off Friday night acknowledged the support the zone had been giving to the present administration in Nigeria.
“The power will receive boost following the conclusion of the privatisation exercise which the bidders have paid for. Ten NIPP projects have been completed and will be commissioned.
“Some road projects have been concluded and soon be commissioned while the restructuring of the railway is on-going. In the agricultural, the Jonathan administration has built silos for storing of grains.
“Our work is speaking for us and we will soon commence the work of commissioning all completed projects across the country. Very soon you will see the President in every state and PDP as a family will be there”.
Earlier, Dr Steve Oru, the National Vice-Chairman, South-South zone of the PDP, had said that the meeting was convened for stock taking to further the overall interest of the PDP in the zone.
Oru said the PDP would advance the course of the development of the country and ensure that its followers are carried along.
Sen. Helen Esuene, who spoke on behalf of the women, said she would mobilise the womenfolk to actualise Jonathan’s president’s 2015 bid.
Senate leader, Chief Victor Ndoma-Egba, who also spoke at the occasion said they would do everything to protect the party and the president “who is our own son’’.
Oiur correspondent reports that the meeting was attended by Governors of Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, Deputy Governors of Cross River and Bayelsa States, National Executive Committee Members, National Working Committee Members, Senate Majority Leader.
Also at the meeting were, Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, House of Representative Members, Speakers, Deputy Speakers, majority Leaders and Whips of State Houses of Assembly, PDP State Chairmen, Board of Trustees Members, Zonal Executive Committee Members and other
stakeholders.
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