Anenih Rallies Support For President Jonathan
SAN FRANCISCO, February 24, (THEWILL) - The people of Southern Nigeria have been called upon to rally round the President Goodluck Jonathan Administration.
Making the call Monday at the Southern Leaders Summit held at the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih.
Anenih urged the people to unite behind President Jonathan and support him in the governance of the nation.
In an address he delivered at the summit which was convened to articulate Southern Nigeria's positions at the forthcoming National Conference, Anenih said the President needed the support of the Southern Nigeria people to face the challenges created by Boko Haram, the global economic recession and unrest, and to keep the country united.
'The unity of this country is not negotiable.
We must acknowledge the uncommon leadership the President has exhibited in the face of these challenges.
Unfortunately, some Nigerians do not see any good in the present administration,' Anenih said, adding 'this perception should be killed.
' He however expressed happiness at the summit, saying: 'The response to the National Conference Committee was quite remarkable; so also is the widespread pre-National Conference Dialogue that is going on among various groups across the country.
'I commend President Goodluck Jonathan for his sagacity in giving Nigerians this golden platform to examine areas of concern about the Nigerian federation and find common solutions to those problems that have constituted a hindrance to our evolutionary journey to nationhood.
'I am convinced that the National Conference will strengthen the bonds of unity, the fabric of our federalism and the pillars of our nationhood.
The unity of this great nation is not negotiable.
' According to the BoT chairman, 'It is gratifying that different groups-nationalities, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations and academic institutions-are crystallising their positions and preparing well-thought-out proposals for the National Conference.
' He said 'This Southern Leaders Summit is, surely, one of the pre-Conference fora which, hopefully, will identify areas of common interest to the States of the South.
' Lamenting the inability of the States of the South to operate on a common platform or to speak consistently with one voice, Anenih said the summit would provide a platform to identify common concerns.
According to the PDP chieftain: 'There is no doubt that there are many concerns which they share and need to identify at a platform such as this.
Our Northern counterparts have been known to work together as a united front.
We in the South must also forge unity and cooperation among ourselves.
' Anenih noted that the participants at the Summit are men and women who have distinguished themselves in their various callings and in the services of the country.
He also expressed confidence that the ideas and proposals which would emanate from the deliberations would not only be profound but also capable of lifting the country and helping it towards attaining its manifest destiny.
'We must see this National Conference, not as a platform to shout at one another but rather as another opportunity to make our country a better place to live in.
'We must concern ourselves with proffering ideas that will bring improvements to every aspect and sector of our national life.
Our aim must be to facilitate the emergence of a new Nigeria which, in the days, months and years after the National Conference, will be far better and more united than ever before,' Anenih advised.