The people of the South-South geopolitical zone, at a rally held in Port Harcourt, on Saturday, gathered a total of 4,150,000 signatures, urging President Goodluck Jonathan to contest in 2015.
This was as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, declared that the president would soon declared his desire to run for a second term.
This was made known at the rally, organised by the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), held at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt and where the leader of the group, Kenneth Kobani, presented the SGF with the 4,150,000 signatures.
Speaking at the rally the SGF said the number of signatures gathered in the South-South, urging Jonathan to contest in 2015, exceeded that of the other five zones.
“Yes, the South-South has broken the record of the other five regions that have so far asked President Jonathan to run for a second term of four years. Your region has collected 4,150,000 signatures.
“The signatures can be verified. You can see the names of those who signed; their telephone numbers and local government. This process is real. You know what, before I make any further comment I want to dance to the President Goodluck Jonathan music: Goodluck for me; Goodluck for everybody”, he said.
According to Anyim, Rivers State recorded 1,100,000 signatures, while Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo and Delta states recorded 800,000, 500,000, 520,000, 420,000 and 750,000 signatures, respectively.
“We are truly grateful. For me, something significant has happened in the South-South. You have shown that you are solidly, solidly and solidly behind President Jonathan, The South-South has beaten our record in the South-East, but I can assure you that if I go back to collect more signatures, the number will double.
“The South-South has spoken very loudly. Very soon you will hear from the president and you will not be disappointed. The president appreciates all what you have gone through to collect these signatures. He is a listening president. He truly understands your feelings and very soon you will hear from him”, he said.
Also speaking at the rally, Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said President Jonathan has led Nigeria to become the largest economy in Africa.
According to her, Jonathan had created three million jobs, managed the country to become the fastest growing economy in Africa and therefore deserved encouragement of Nigerians to do more.
Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, asked Senator Anyim to tell the president to sleep with his two eyes closed, assuring that the entire people of Rivers State were behind him in respect of the 2015 presidential election.
President Goodluck Jonathan should signify his intention for second term. Please tell President Jonathan to declare his intention to run in 2015 now. We can assure him that Rivers State is solidly behind him.
“If only for the transformation of the almajiris, Nigerians should give President Jonathan the needed support for his second term to enable him continue with his lofty programme on education. He has also established the Oil and Gas Polytechnic in Bonny in Bonny Local Government Area in Rivers State”, he said.
Speaking at the event, a former governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, said, “Action usually speaks louder than words. President Jonathan is our son and our in-law, therefore, it’s our duty to support him for a second term in 2015. He has performed well and creditably. He truly deserves our support.
“There is time for everything. Frankly speaking, the time has come for President Jonathan to announce his desire to run for a second term. We are all waiting for him to do so. And we will fully support him. His desire to run for a second term is justified.
“Let me inform the Secretary to the Federal Government to tell Mr President that we in Rivers State are totally for him in 2015.”
Minister of Sports, Dr Tammy Danagogo, said President Jonathan deserved a second term and should be encouraged, while a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, insisted that Jonathan should vie for a second term “because he has managed the crises in Nigeria creditably.”
Equally, the Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, while addressing the crowd, said President Goodluck Jonathan has no option than to yield to the yearnings of most Nigerians and seek re-election or risk not returning home come 2015.
“If he (Goodluck Jonathan) fails to re-contest, he will not return to the Niger Delta, he will not come back to Port Harcourt,” Uduaghan said, asserting, “President Jonathan must contest for the Presidency in 2015.”
The governor who put the support of President Jonathan’s re-election bid to vote reiterated, “South-South has spoken with one voice, that you (Jonathan) must contest.
“If we are to give reasons he must contest, we will not leave here today - the East/West road was abandoned for years, it is nearing completion, he has done so much for us, he as given us a Maritime University in Delta and we are all saying he must come back to continue with his good works, for him to complete the good works he has started,” Uduaghan stated.
Source: Tribune
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