President Goodluck Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan had declared that insurgency in the country will end mid October 2014.
He made the statement at the National Executive Committee (NEC), of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), immediately he was adopted by the body as the sole candidate for the ruling party.
“Things must change by the middle of October. We will bring terrorism to an end no matter what it takes,” he said emphatically.
He however did not give any reason for the statement.
The National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has unanimously adopted President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s sole candidate for the 2015 presidential election.
The decision, which was taken at the party’s NEC meeting in Abuja on Thursday, is expected to be ratified at the party’s national convention billed to hold on December 6.
The NEC is the highest decision making organ of the party.
Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, set the ball rolling when he announced that governors elected on the platform of the party had decided to adopt Jonathan as the party’s sole candidate for the election.
Aliyu said the governors unanimously took the decision without reservation, adding that the decision was informed by the need for the party to go into the 2015 elections with a united front.
Aliyu created a mild drama when he beckoned on the Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, to attest to and identify with the governors’ position.
Lamido, with a broad smile, got up from his seat, nodded in agreement and gave Jonathan a thump up.
Until Thursday, Lamido’s had been the lone voice within the PDP challenging the President’s re-election bid. Judging by his disposition at the meeting, he appeared to have caved in.
The Vice chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Alhaji Shuabu Oyedokun, who stood in for the chairman, spoke on behalf of the trustees.
According to him, the BoT decided to adopt the President for the stability of the party.
President of the Senate, David Mark, who also conveyed the endorsement of the National Assembly caucus of the party, said the legislature preaches and believes in continuity.
Mark informed the gathering that the lawmakers had met and taken a decision on the matter days before.
“It’s a legacy we have decided to lay for the party. He is a sitting and performing President; we should allow him to go ahead. We unanimously adopt him as our sole presidential candidate for the 2015 election.
Mrs. Justina Eze spoke in similar vein on behalf of the party’s women folk, saying the women had also taken the decision in the interest of the party.
Thereafter, a former Acting National chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Haliru Bello Mohammed, moved the motion for the adoption.
He said there was no reason to change a winning formula, adding that the President had performed well enough to deserve a second term.
Former governor of the old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, who seconded the motion, also said the Jonathan team had done well and deserved a second term. The motion received an overwhelming affirmative voice vote.
Responding, Jonathan expressed appreciation for the adoption, saying he was overwhelmed by the show of support and encouragement by the party members.
“I am so overwhelmed that I lack the words to express my appreciation. For you to have that confidence in me, I will not disappoint you.”
