2011: Group Urges PDP To Adopt Jonathan As Sole Candidate

Source: EWACHE AJEFU, ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF - thewillnigeria.com


ABUJA, August 02, (THEWILL) - The Goodluck Nigeria Group (GNG) wants the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to quickly convene a Special National Convention for the purpose of adopting President Goodluck Jonathan as the party's consensus presidential candidate for the 2011 general elections.


In a letter to the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Okwesileze Nwodo signed by Cyril Ezeani and Musa Abdullahi, National Coordinator and Secretary respectively, the group said the brouhaha generated by the debate over the PDP zoning arrangement would be put to rest if the party approves their proposal for the convocation of a national convention as well as the adoption of President Jonathan as PDP 2011 flag bearer.


"Following the successful amendment of the 1999 constitution particularly as it relates to the electoral process, your Excellency is aware of the tight schedule on which the time-table for the 2011 elections will operate," they wrote.


"In the light of the above, we the GNG is calling on the leadership of the party to immediately put in motion the process of a Special National Convention of the party for the purpose of adopting President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as the flag bearer of the party. This is because as an incumbent President, Dr. Jonathan deserves to be offered the right to carry the party flag in the 2011 presidential election as is the practice in all democracies of the world."


The group also argued that Jonathan had performed well since coming on the saddle which had earned him the support of various interest groups in the country, stressing that his adoption by the PDP would curtail the raging controversy over zoning which the group described as "unwanton" distraction.


"The formal presentation of Dr. Jonathan as the PDP presidential flag bearer at the convention of the party will lay to rest the unwanton distraction and overheating of the polity generated by the zoning arrangement of the PDP. This will definitely allow the party to focus on the election and how to win the votes of the electorates," the group said.


The perceived presidential ambition of President Jonathan has generated a lot debate since he assumed office as president.


Jonathan has refused to rule himself out of the 2011 presidential race.