2015: 20 PDP State Chairmen endorse Jonathan for presidency

Twenty state chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Monday endorsed the president to continue in office beyond 2015.

Speaking when the state chairmen of the party under the aegis of Conference of PDP State Chairmen, the chairman of the party in Benue State, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, said: 'We wish to implore our teeming members and supporters to remain steadfast as there is no need to panic, because the transformation programme of the PDP-led administration will surely take us to 2015 and beyond.'

Agbo said that 'unless there are constitutional encumbrances against the candidacy of President Jonathan, let him contest and continue in office beyond 2015. He has performed very well and therefore should continue in office beyond 2015.'

The communiqué of the Chairmen of PDP further said: 'We sincerely commend the leadership maturity of our amiable president. We urge him to remain focused on the task of leading Nigeria and the responsibility of managing the biggest party in Nigeria.

'That in the spirit of our founding fathers, we will always welcome genuine dialogue, lawful and peaceful co-existence in the party and in the nation.  However, we do not believe in any approach that will stampede the smooth running of our great party, especially so external influence is being insinuated.” Though, the states' chairmen expressed support for Tukur, their commitment to reconciliation, rebuilding and repositioning of the party, the chairman of the Conference of PDP States Chairmen said the blood pressure of the chairmen had risen since after the August 31 special national convention.

In his response, Tukur told the states' chairmen present that the PDP was the only party in Nigeria that guaranteed national unity and integration within the West African region.

According to him, 'We are the managers of the party. And you are our field commanders. Peoples like us are at the departure lounge, and we must pay back to our nations. My prayers are that all of you should do better than me, your father.  This is because only PDP today can guarantee the unity, integration of Africa.

'We have hope to lead our people in the comity of nation. Nigerians have accepted our party as their own party. There are no difficulties in the country and even within the party that is beyond solution.'

Speaking further, Tukur said: 'I agree that I am analogue, but you must be analogue first before you become digital. We believe that every member of the party has the right to express himself or herself. Majority will always have their way and the minority will have their say.'

The states chairmen in attendance included the chairmen of Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Oyo, Cross Rivers, Yobe, Ekiti, Benue, Kogi, Akwa Ibom States. Others at the meeting included Rivers, Nasarawa, Ondo, Lagos, Ogun, Gombe, Osun, Plateau, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the factional chairman of Adamawa State.