JONATHAN TO PDP'; ' I ACCEPT'

Sequel to the automatic ticket handed over to him by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan has promised not to disappoint the party and Nigerians.

The President was offered automatic ticket to contest the 2015 presidential election at its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

With this development, the party may not hold presidential primary but only present the President at the National Convention slated for December 5, for ratification as the party’s candidate.

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party and the governors had at separate meetings on Wednesday endorsed President Jonathan as the party’s sole candidate ahead of the primary.

Responding, the President said he was humbled by the decision of the party which he gladly accepted.

Asked to respond, a visibly delighted President Jonathan had this to say, “At this point, let me say that the events of yesterday, starting with the BoT meeting last night and what has just happened today here with various motions adopting me as the sole candidate of the party has really humbled me. I’m totally overwhelmed.
“Let me specially thank our governors that initiated that action; though of course before that, the House of Reps in a meeting I had with them made a similar thing but when the governors come up with a giant signed paper, it’s like atomic bomb.
“I know the media people will expect me to say something. I am so overwhelmed that I lack words to express my mind. I will reserve my comments  to an appropriate date that will come.
“But I can only promise members of our party and indeed Nigerians that for you to have that kind of confidence in me is a big challenge. But I promise I will not disappoint you”.
Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State set the ball rolling when he was called upon by the National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu to make special presentation on behalf of the PDP governors.

Making his presentation, Aliyu said the governors had at their meeting on Wednesday adopted President Jonathan as the sole candidate of the party, calling for his adoption at the next party convention.

Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, who is believed to be nursing presidential ambition was also at the NEC meeting and did not raise objection.

Niger State Governor also said the presence of Governors Lamido, was an attestation that the governors have spoken in one voice.

In the same vein, a member of the Board of Trustees, Chief Shuaib Oyedokun, spoke after Niger governor, saying President Jonathan has done so well and thus deserves a second term.

He also announced that the BoT had at its meeting the previous night adopted President Jonathan to seek re-election in 2015.

Senate President David Mark, in his presentation said the Senate Caucus believes there should be continuity hence, the adoption of the President for second term.

Mark was of the view that allowing the President to carry on beyond 2015 will serve  the best interest of the nation.

Speaking on behalf of the women, Justina Eze, said the decision to adopt President Jonathan as a sole candidate of the party was taken because he has shown his love and respect for the female folks.

Consequent upon the presentations by the various organs of the party, former National Chairman, Alhaji Haliru Bello, moved a motion on behalf of the NEC that the aggregate decision of the body organs be accepted as the decision of the party NEC.
He submitted that the party since 1999 had developed the tradition of allowing a sitting President to have right of first rejection.
The motion was thereafter seconded by a former Governor of Anambra, Jim Nwobodo.