AN indication that President Goodluck Jonathan is set to contest the 2015 election emerged yesterday in Calabar, Cross River State with his endorsement by South-South governors and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

   The endorsement of the President for the 2015 presidential election was the highpoint of a stakeholders’ meeting called by the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Ahmadu Mua’zu as part of his zonal tour of the South-South.

   The leaders of the region in a statement read at the end of the meeting by former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Chibudom Nwuche, based their endorsement of the President on the giant strides recorded by his administration across all sectors.

   The statement read in parts: “We acknowledge the giant strides of Mr. President in the area of education, agriculture, health, tourism, re-invention of the railway systems, roads and other infrastructural development across the country. It is also notable that there is tremendous focus on economic empowerment of Nigerians.

“In view of his (President) doggedness in pursuing his transformation agenda for Nigeria, the South-South is in full support of President Jonathan’s administration. We, therefore, endorse Mr. President for the forthcoming 2015 presidential election so as to continue his transformation agenda which transcends across all spheres of our lives.”

  The statement  was signed by Governors Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Liyel Imoke of Cross River State and Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State.

  With thousands of party faithful in attendance, the leaders of the region condemned in strong terms, the  insecurity in Nigeria, which they observed was being tackled headlong by President Jonathan.

  They pledged their “unalloyed and unwavering support for the fight against terrorism in Nigeria”, and vowed “to be strong advocates of the continuous unity of the Nigerian state, as co-existence as a collection of various nationalities remains non-negotiable.”

  While urging Nigerians to keep identifying with the PDP, they praised the leadership of the party led by the National Chairman, attributing electoral successes recorded in places like Ekiti State to the leadership style of the former governor of Bauchi State.

   Before the statement, speaker after speaker had praised the president for his achievements, saying no past president of the country achieved more than Jonathan in their first terms.

  Those in attendance besides the governors were Chief Tony Anenih, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dakwambo, the South-South lawmakers in the National Assembly, state chairmen of the party from the six South South states, among others.

    Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Work, Adedayo Adeyeye, yesterday said that Jonathan had performed excellently in the various sectors of the economy but the problem of Boko Haram had made Nigerians not to appreciate his achievements.

   When the traditional rulers of Ebu, Illah, Emu, Inyela and Igbedo (benefitting communities of Utor River Bridge in Delta, Edo and Anambra states) led by the Regent of Ebu, Sunday Obiajulu paid a thank you visit to the ministry in Abuja, the minister stated that Boko Haram and other problems of insecurity were mere distractions.  He added that Jonathan had performed so well in the areas of roads, health, aviation and other critical sectors of the economy.

   Adeyeye observed that considering the outstanding achievements of Jonathan, there was the need to continue to draw support for his re-election in 2015 to enable him to continue with his good work.

  He commended the royal fathers for showing gratitude for the completion of Otor River bridge and noted that government would not relent in its efforts to provide Nigerians with good road infrastructure.

   Earlier, the monarchs said they were in the ministry to thank the government for the completion of the bridge which was abandoned by successive governments, adding that they supported  Jonathan’s stay in office beyond 2015 to enable him to  complete the good work he was doing for the country

   They observed that the Utor bridge directly linking Delta and Edo states had further cemented the already existing cordial relationship between the communities in the two states.

   While appreciating the Federal Government for its response to the recently collapsed two cell box culverts between Illah and Ebu on the Asaba-Ebu-Emu-Ahia-Uromi road, the traditional rulers appealed that urgent attention be given to the second cell box at Ega-Ebu which was showing signs of distress.

GUARDIAN