2015: PDP NEC backs govs on Jonathan’s sole candidature

By Lawrence Olaoye

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday ratified the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan as the sole candidate for its ticket as the Presidential candidate of the party at the December 6th national congress of the party.

This followed a motion for that purpose moved by a former Defence Minister and an ex-National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bello Haliru Mohammed seconded by the former Anambra state governor, Chief Jim Nwobodo.

Niger state governor and chairman of Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), Dr. Babangida Aliyu, who spoke on behalf of the governors on the platform of the party, told the members of the highest decision making body of the PDP that they had resolved to support Jonathan to allow for continuity.

He said all the governors, including Jigawa state governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, were unanimous in the decision to endorse the President.

Speaking on behalf of the leadership of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, former PDP Deputy National Chairman, South-west, said the organ resolved to support Jonathan in order to ensure stability and continuity of the party’s programmes.

Similarly, Senate President David Mark, who spoke on behalf of the PDP caucus in the National Assembly, said the legislature had been harping on the imperatives of continuity and had long ago endorsed Jonathan for a second term.

Responding, the President said he was short of words for the gesture extended to him by the stakeholders even as he assured them that he would not rest on his oars in striving for the development of the country.

While not making any declaratory commitment as to whether he had accepted the offer or not, he assured the stakeholders that he would not disappoint them adding that he would make the declaration to contest at the auspicious time.

On Boko Haram, Jonathan said that no responsible government would allow secession and as such promised to end insurgency latest by the end of October.

The President said he was “humbled and overwhelmed” by the decision of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to endorse him as the sole candidate for the 2015 election.

In what appeared to be his first official remarks indicating an interest in a fresh tenure, Jonathan said he will not disappoint the party that trusted him well to offer the mandate, and promised to raise his performance if “re-elected”, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

The NEC is the highest organ of the PDP. His endorsement by the party means no other candidate can seek the party’s nomination for the 2015 presidential elections.