As preparations for the 2014 presidential election gather momentum, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors and members in the House of Representatives in the early hours of Tuesday endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for second term.
The Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and House Leader, Mulikat Adeola-Akande, both confirmed this to State House correspondents after separate meetings with the President.
The members of Representatives caucus meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa lasted for about two hours.
It was attended by Vice President Namadi Sambo and the PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu.
Surprisingly, the House Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal was absent. Asked why the Speaker was absent, House Leader, Mulikat Adeola-Akande, said “I am sure when you see Mr. Speaker, you will ask him. This is a PDP meeting; obviously he will have his reasons why he was not at the meeting”.
The governors meeting with the President ended in the wee hours and was attended by governors of Bayelsa, Seriake Dickson; Enugu, Sullivan Chime; Abia, Theodore Orji, Akwa Ibom, Godwill Akpabio, Jigawa, Sule Lamido, Ebonyi, Martins Elechi, Delta, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Benue, Gabriel Suswam, Kebbi, Seidu Dakingari, Gombe, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Bauchi, Isa Yuguda, Katsina, Ibrahim Shema, Sokoto state Deputy Governor, Mukhtar Shagari and Ekiti Governor-Elect, Ayodele Fayose.
Governor Akpabio spoke with correspondents after the meeting, “Of course you are aware that the NASS caucus met earlier in the day and passed a vote of confidence on Mr. President, the Vice President and the national leadership of the party and in turn, they also urged Mr. President to step forward and contest for the 2015 presidential election, in other words, they are urging him to go forward and contest for a second term in office.
“We were witnesses when that resolution was taken and of course, they also pledged their unflinching support to the leadership of Mr. President and then congratulated him for being able to pass through rough times despite the distractions as a result of the insecurity situation in some parts of the country.
“The PDP Governor’s Forum were present when the NASS Caucus did what they did, I do not want to pre-empt the action of PDP Governors, but I can attest to their loyalty and their commitment to the success of Mr. President come 2015.” (PROMPTNEWSONLINE.COM)
