PDP Senators End Hostilities, Endorse Jonathan for Second Term
Senate President, David Mark
Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja
Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja
Senators on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who had
last week threatened to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan threw their
weight behind the president’s re-election bid on Tuesday.
The change of stance followed the president’s truce meeting with the
aggrieved senators last Thursday during which some of the senators said
the president along with the National Working Committee (NWC) members
of the PDP offered to give return tickets to at least two of them from
each state.
The senators, who boycotted plenary throughout last week, had alleged
betrayal by the president following their losses at the November 1 ward
congresses of the party in their various states and therefore threatened
to shut down Jonathan’s government until he addressed their grievances.
Announcing the endorsement on behalf of federal lawmakers on Tuesday
during the president’s declaration at Eagles Square, Abuja, Senate
President, David Mark, said the president did not only have the support
of PDP senators but also had the backing of the entire National Assembly
caucus of the PDP.
According to Mark, who led the National Assembly caucus of the party to
the declaration, Jonathan has demonstrated trust, dedication and
steadfastness to the service of Nigeria, adding that the endorsement of
“Mr. President was based on his people-centred transformation programme
needed to be executed to its logical conclusion.”
He outlined revolution in agriculture, aviation, power,
telecommunications and education, among others, as the areas that need
to be consolidated by the administration of Jonathan for the good of all
citizens.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, Mark
said Jonathan’s endorsement was in conformity with advanced democracies
of the world where performing incumbent office holders are given the
right of first refusal to re-contest.
Mumeh said Mark was of the opinion that the laudable programmes
initiated by President Jonathan might be truncated if he declines to
continue in office.
The National Assembly, he promised, would continue to support and
provide the needed legislative framework for the executive under
Jonathan to continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to the
Nigerian people.
The media aide added that Mark acknowledged the unabating security
challenges facing Nigeria and expressed optimism that the problem was
surmountable if every Nigerian drops the toga of ethnicity, religion or
political affiliation and resolve to work together to end the menace.
The senate president therefore pleaded with all Nigerians to close
ranks and fight on a common front to defeat the terrorists putting
asunder our peace, progress and unity.
He stressed that there is no challenge we cannot overcome as a people if we work together for our common destiny and future.
Mark counselled security operatives not to be deterred by some
shortcomings in their operations but should rather spur them for greater
action to defeat terrorists as all right thinking Nigerians are behind
them in prayer.
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