Jonathan Gets South-West Backing For 2011

ABUJA, August 29, (THEWILL) - The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus for South-West on Saturday endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for next year’s presidential election.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman Board of Trustees of the party who was conspicuously absent from yesterday’s return party for Governor Theodore Orji in Umuahia, Abia State, anchored the South West caucus meeting which endorsed Jonathan for 2011, Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

PDP bigwigs who could not attend the Umuahia welcome party because of this crucial zoning endorsement were the Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole,

Governors Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Segun Oni (Ekiti) and National Vice Chairman South-West, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo.

In a communiqué at the end of the caucus meeting, the South-West resolved:

"That we appreciated the position of the National Executive Committee of the PDP as it affects issue of zoning; that we noted the fact that President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed his intention to contest the presidential primary on the platform of the PDP.

"That we also noted that there are other aspirants interested in contesting on the platform of our party like the one time military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (former Vice-President) and few others.

"That we assessed each of the major aspirants based on their antecedents and ability to carry the nation forward and project her policy consistency when elected.

"The meeting resolved that it will serve the interest of the group and indeed Nigerians to support the aspiration of President Goodluck Jonathan for 2011," the communiqué said.