Asaba: GEJ Plead for Votes in Delta…… Promises Turn-around in Economy
President Goodluck Jonathan has promised to harness the key sectors of Nigeria's economy and to refocus the Niger Delta Development Commission and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs as well as other agencies of government to generate people oriented projects rather than crisis.
Jonathan stated this during the ongoing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign rally in Asaba, Delta state capital.
The President emphasised that there was the need for the youths in Delta state and the Niger Delta region to exploit all of areas in skills acquisition that would endear them to genuine policy programmes of the Federal and state governments, like the local content law and the maritime sector which he promised to revive for meaningful development.
He also said that there was the urgent need to add value to crude and gas before export, so that there would be gains in the prospects that lie ahead in building a virile and sustainable economy.
President Goodluck Jonathan further noted that the recent success of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan at the re-run polls was to enable him continue with his vision and pace-setting development programmes for the state.
According to him, 'your victory at the re-run polls after we came to campaign for you in Warri is a proof to the fact that our efforts were not in vain and we are sure that you will use the next four years to complete the people oriented programmes of your administration in Delta state. If not for the resounding victory, we would not have had course to be here today'.
Jonathan, who was accompanied in the campaign train by the Nigeria's Vice President, Arch. Namadi Sambo, Acting National Chairman of PDP, Dr. Haliru Mohammed, former Minister for Information and Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin kiagbodo Clark, former national chairman of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, Minister of Education, Chief Kenneth Gbagi and Governor of Cross River state, Senator Liyel Imoke and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odein Ajumogobia arrived the Cenotaph, venue of the rally at 03:25 pm where he was received by a mammoth crowd of supporters from different parts of the state.
In his welcome address, the state chairman of PDP, Barrister Peter Nwaoboshi asserted that the necessary machinery to win the election had been put on ground and urged the national leadership of the party to give the PDP in the state the chance to prove its ability. He told the presidential campaign team that 'you have come to Delta state to text-run our machine, the machine has started moving and we assure you that we will get there'.
In his speech, Vice President Namadi Sambo, who affirmed that President Jonathan is a detribalized Nigerian, stated that is the President is determined to transform Delta state, the Niger Delta region, the South South geo-political zone and the entire country. He urged Deltans to vote en masse for all PDP candidates at the April polls.
Former national chairman of the party, Chief Tony Anenih, in an inspiring remark re-assured the people that the choice of Goodluck Jonathan was not because he hails from the oil and gas rich region of the country but because he is the man fit to lead Nigerians now.
He said 'it is true that the President is from the South South zone, it is true that the South South zone is an oil producing region, but that is not why the people want Jonathan as their President. It is simply because he (Jonathan) has presented himself for service to the people.
He therefore called on all the people of Delta state to give the Jonathan/Sambo ticket a total support, even as he disclosed that while President Jonathan has embarked on a full scale campaign across the country, other political parties are already planning on how to challenge elections that has not been held.
PDP acting national chairman, Dr. Haliru Mohammed, in his address thanked Deltans for supporting PDP over the years, noting that the party was in charge of the state and would win again in the April polls.
In their separate speeches, elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, business magnate, Chief Sonny Odogwu and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe thanked Nigerians for making it possible for President Jonathan to become the party's flag bearer and urging them to also vote for him at the April presidential election.
While, Clark apologized on behalf of the party to aggrieved Nigerians and party members who may have been hurt in the course of delivering good governance, Chief Odogwu assured that the rally for Jonathan is a rally for unity of the people since 'he has performed exceedingly well to deserve our support', just as Orubebe said that 'Jonathan has thrived in the maritime, agriculture and tourism sectors, describing him as a symbol of hope for all.
Meanwhile, Delta state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who was elated, assured that the entire people Delta state will give a 100 percent support to the Jonathan/Sambo presidential bid.
Uduaghan, who said he would continue to re-strengthen requests for youth and women empowerment promised to always complement the efforts of the Federal Government in its policy programmes. He appealed for the quick completion of the ongoing East/West road project as well as the stepping down of electricity supply by Agip Oil Exploration Company at Okpai, in Delta state.