PRESS RELEASE 2015: Orji Urges Igbo Presidential Aspirants to Shelve Ambition for Jonathan
In furtherance of his unflinching support for President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, has urged all presidential aspirants of South-east zone to shelve their ambition and close ranks with the President for re- election in 2015.
In a press release by his Chief Press Secretary , Mr. Charles Ajunwa, Governor Orji insists that Jonathan deserves total support of Ndigbo for a second term in office considering his commitment in addressing the gross neglect perpetrated against the race by previous administrations in the country.
According to him, Jonathan has proved beyond doubts that the welfare of Ndigbo is very dear to him as demonstrated so far through most of the key projects either already executed or being undertaken in South-east by his administration.
He identified some of the historic achievements of Jonathan's administration in the region to include the upgrading of Akanu Ibiam Airport Enugu to international airport, the total reconstruction of hitherto deplorable Enugu/ Port Harcourt Expressway, rehabilitation of Onitsha / Enugu Expressway, restoration of Ohafia Military Barracks, the commencement of work on second Niger Bridge, among others.
" Apart from identifiable infrastructural developments in the zone, Jonathan has also appointed Igbo sons and daughters to sensitive positions in the country", Orji said, adding that since the history of Nigeria, no President has empowered Ndigbo like Jonathan.
" Therefore, any person from South-east or South-south coming out to contest for the Presidency in 2015 does not have the interest of the zones at heart. Such a person should be ignored because he is doing so for selfish reasons, and must fail.
" If any person from these zones tells you he wants to contest against Jonathan in 2015 he is only looking for settlement and should be allowed to fail.
" The reasonable thing for Ndigbo is to give Jonathan our maximum support whenever he declares his ambition for 2015, then after his second tenure we will negotiate for the Presidency because as key players in the Nigerian project, Ndigbo also deserve the Presidency for equity and fairness."
Governor Orji therefore called on Ndigbo irrespective of their political views, to continue to stand firm behind President Jonathan in his relentless efforts to transform all sectors of the Nigerian economy .
" It is not in doubt that Jonathan is our best bet, and supporting him for a second term in office is sacrosanct to us in Abia . We did it before in 2011, and we are now more united and better organised to do it again."
The Governor also noted that the calibre of eminent personalities from the region who trooped out to receive the President in Owerri recently, is a sure indication that come 2015 Jonathan will still win by landslide in South-east.