Jonathan pledges to end Plateau crisis if re-elected

President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday at his presidential campaign in Plateau State said if re-elected President, he would end the incessant killings in Plateau state.

Mr. Jonathan stated this at the Rwang Pam township stadium in Jos, the capital city, as he solicited for support of the electorates.

He urged the Plateau people to be peaceful in all aspects of their lives, promising that he will revive the agricultural sector and provide more jobs.

“If you give us your mandates in the next four years, I assure you that we will perform better.”

Mr. Jonathan said PDP is the “only party that can lead Nigeria successful”.

He apologised to the Plateau people for coming to the campaign rally behind schedule.

The PDP presidential candidate and his running mate were in Jos with their wives. Senate President David Mark also accompanied the campaign team.

Mr. Mark pledged to deliver the North Central zone to President Jonathan.

He said President Jonathan has kept the promises he made to Nigerians in 2011, therefore should not panic because the electorates of the region will support him.

The PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, said President Jonathan has promised to create two million jobs in the country if given the mandate again. He said Mr. Jonathan got rid of the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Nigeria, and therefore deserved a second term.

Speaking at the rally, Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, told Mr. Jonathan that most Plateau people have not collected their voters cards, therefore will be disfranchised during the polls.

He advocated the use of temporary voter cards during the forthcoming elections and assured Mr. Jonathan of Plateau votes during the presidential elections.

Similarly, the Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Ochekpe, assured Mr. Jonathan of votes from women of the state.

There was a protest by some PDP supporters who alleged that a State Assembly candidate from Langtang south was substituted without the knowledge of delegates.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “Mr. President correct this injustice, our state Assembly candidate for Langtang south on the programme of event is not our choice. Formak Bako Lohfa is not our choice.”

Inconveniences

There was tight security in Jos as a result of the visit of the PDP presidential campaign train. Roads were blocked and some parents could not convey their children to schools.

Residents of the state were subjected to trekking long distances as most routes were closed, and commercial vehicles were not allowed within the vicinity of the rally.

Similarly, business places within Jos metropolis were shut; residents who were at the Rwang Pam township stadium to witness the rally stayed for more than 10 hours waiting for the coming of the PDP campaign train.

Following the recent attacks and burning of some campaign busses belonging to Mr. Jonathan campaign group in Jos recently, anyone suspected to be a miscreant was not allowed anywhere close to the venue of the rally.