Ahmadu Ali, Akpabio, Gana lead ‘7,000 groups’ to endorse Jonathan

A former PDP National Chairman, Ahmadu Ali, on Tuesday in Abuja said Nigeria would remain united and prosperous in spite of some evil machinations.

Mr. Ali said this at a national rally of more than 7,000 groups under the aegis of Goodluck Support Groups, GSG, organised by the National Coordinator, Rufai Ahmed.

Mr. Ali, who chaired the rally, enumerated the benefits the populace had enjoyed under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“In spite of evil machinations, Nigeria has remained undivided; we shall remain one and `we dey kampe’ and the Jonathan administration has provided meaningful, feasible ideas to sustain democracy.

“He has invested in the youth and developed national consciousness among them. The nation’s GDP has risen from 169 billion dollars in 2013 to 283 billion dollars today.

“Food importation has reduced from trillions to the region of hundreds of thousands of dollars; Nigeria is the number one destination for foreign direct investment in Africa; our oil is witnessing a projection.

“Come rain, as it has fallen now or come sunshine, we stand behind Goodluck.’’

Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom said “everyone keeps saying I’ve performed well and that there is uncommon transformation in my state. I didn’t do it in a tenure; I am in my second tenure.

“For Nigeria’s total transformation, one tenure is not enough. He has put measures in place to stop gas flaring, decided to address the problem of the north-east by building schools for almajiri.

“He has been the most distracted but the most focused president; has faced Ebola squarely and made Nigeria the biggest economy in Africa,’’ Mr. Akpabio said.

The convener, who is also the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, said the rally was a platform to “create synergy and an interface among all GSG to strengthen our bonds of unity.

“In spite of our challenges, our bond remains unshaken. I commend you all and your presence on the social media, print, airwaves and other platforms has not gone unnoticed’’.

Mr. Ahmed, who also read out the communique after the event, said the GSGs resolved that the president had performed well to the satisfaction of Nigerians and in the interest of citizens, should return in 2015.

“He should step forward and contest in 2015. The PDP should nominate him for the presidential elections and as leaders, we endorse him for the presidential elections.

“This is signed by the leaders of the more than 7,000 groups.’’

Jerry Gana, a former minister, commended the groups for assembling for “a good cause; a good man of a good nation’’.
Among other names, he called Jonathan “an energiser to the private sector; a mobiliser of goodwill; defender of justice and driver of transformation agenda’’.

He said that Mr. Jonathan must succumb to the pressure to run for elections in 2015.

Former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, applauded the GSGs for “coming here today in our thousands even when nobody gave you a kobo to be here.

“Mr President, the voice of the people is the voice of God; the people have spoken. They want you to speak soon; don’t delay, they need a response to their demands”.

Baraka Sani, the Special Assistant to the President on Agriculture, said politics was about development, not repeating past mistakes.

“Our elders have always said we are the leaders of tomorrow but tomorrow never comes; Mr President is the link to the tomorrow we want,’’ Mr. Sani said.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim, who was the special guest of honour at the rally, said “even the rain cannot stop us”.

“I am particularly excited because I’ve not seen a rally where Nigerians have defied the rain. The rain started, stopped and we stayed back; no one has eaten or drank anything since morning.

“What people have been asking after since morning is the return of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, even the opposition supports Goodluck. I commend the political adviser. It is not easy to register more than 7,000 groups.” (NAN)