The governors of the South South region of the country, together with top ranking members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 have endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as their candidate for the 2015 presidential elections.
The decision which was reached at a stakeholders meeting called by PDP chairman, Ahmadu Muazu as part of his tour to the South South region.
Governors present at the stakeholders meeting included Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state, Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state and Liyel Imoke of Cross River who doubled up as host of the meeting with Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state and Adams Oshiomole of Edo state expetedly missing due to their membership to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Vanguard reports:
![PDP TOUR: From left— Chief Tony Anenih, PDP BoT Chairman; Dr. Adamu Mu’azu, PDP National Chairman; Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State; Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State; Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, at Mu’azu’s zonal tour of South-South in Cross River State, where President Goodluck Jonathan was endorsed for re-election in 2015. [Photo Credit: Vanguard]](https://www.thetrentonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Calabar-The-Trent.jpg)
The leaders of the region, in a communiqué at the end of the meeting read by former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Chibudom Nwuche, justified their endorsement of Jonathan on the giant strides recorded by his administration in all sectors of the country.
The communiqué read: “We acknowledge the giant strides of Mr. President in the areas 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 Jonathan’s doggedness in pursuing his transformation agenda for Nigeria, the South-South is in full support of his administration. We, therefore, endorse Mr. President for the forthcoming 2015 presidential election, to enable him continue with his transformation agenda, which transcends all spheres of our lives.”
On security
The meeting, which had thousands of party faithful in attendance, also condemned the spate of violence and 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 to be strong advocates of the continuous unity of the Nigerian state, as co-existence of the various nationalities remains non-negotiable.”
Urging Nigerians to keep identifying with the PDP, they praised the current leadership of the party, attributing current electoral successes recorded in places such as Ekiti State to the leadership style of the national chairman.
During the meeting, speakers praised Jonathan for his achievements, saying that no past president of the country achieved more than President Jonathan in their first terms.
Others at the meeting were Chief Tony Anenih, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of PDP, Governor Ibrahim Dakwambo of Gombe State, the South-South in the National Assembly, state chairmen of the party from the six South-South states, amongst others.
