Ahead of the 2015 Presidential elections, stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the South-South have thrown their weight behind President Goodluck Jonathan with a call on members to remain steadfast in their support for the party.
The Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih and other party stalwarts declared the support at an expanded caucus meeting in Asaba, Delta State.
According to him, the South-South has always promoted the unity and economic growth of the country, noting that it cannot achieve much without unity and peace.
In his words: “this meeting is taking place at a very critical period in the political history of the South-South zone and indeed in Nigeria. It must have been prompted by certain social and political events of recent, which have brought to the fore issues concerning the political future of our country; that 2015 is already in the national consciousness can no longer be hidden. It is therefore the duty of our zone to work out how best to partake in the enterprise of charting a course that will bring maximum benefits to our people.
Acknowledging the problems confronting the country, the BOT chairman urged political leaders to live up to expectation by joining hands with the Federal Government to proffer enduring solutions to security, increasing ethnic tension and infrastructural challenges bedeviling the nation.
He berated some members of the party who engage in anti-party activities, stressing that Governors and other political office holders were duty-bound to reflect the views and aspirations of the people they represent.
“On the activities of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Chief Anenih said, I must say however that the recent activities of the NGF give cause for concern. Instead of keeping to its mission statement of providing a common platform for synergies, collaboration among interests, or serving as a bi-partisan lobby group which promotes and sustains democratic ethos, good governance in Nigeria, Africa and beyond the NGF has turned itself into an anti-federal government group. Indeed the general perception is that the NGF has become a formidable group of power wielders seeking to control government at all levels, including the federal government.”
Describing the PDP as the only party with a national appeal in the country, Chief Anenih also endorsed the formation of the party’s Governors’ Forum.
Speaking on behalf of the PDP National Assembly members from the zone, the Senate Majority Leader, Senator Ndoma Egba and Deputy Leader, Leo Ogor pledged to work for the collective good of the region and the party.
In their separate remarks, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum Chief Godswill Akpabio and the host Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan emphasized the need for people of the region to rally round President Goodluck Jonathan to maximize their God-given opportunity.
Chief Akpabio who enjoined members not to give in to the antics of the opposition assured that the party would work to increase its membership strength ahead of the 2015 election.
He called for prayers for Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, noting that if his administration fails, the South-South zone has equally failed.
A foremost Ijaw Leader, Chief Edwin Clark expressed delight at the convocation of the meeting and called for its sustenance as it has the potential to advance the political yearnings of the region.
