2011: EKITI PDP ELDERS TEAM UP FOR JONATHAN

President Goodluck Jonathan's presidential bid has received a boost in Ekiti State as elders in the State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), comprising of former deputy governors, former Secretaries to the State Government, former senators, ex-Speakers of the State House of Assembly, former commissioners and others have teamed up with the Goodluck Support Group (GSG) to ensure total victory for the president.

Inaugurating the Elders Committee of the group in Ado-Ekiti over the weekend, the State Coordinator, Rt. Hon. Femi Akinyemi, who described President Jonathan as a man of honour, integrity and 'the leader we need,' said all hands must be on deck to ensure that he clinch the PDP ticket and also win the presidential election convincingly.

Akinyemi said; “As you all know, we are again at the threshold of history as we approach general election. It is pertinent for us to sensitize Nigerians on the patriotic expectations demanded of our citizenship. As agitation and permutations as to who becomes what in

2011 reach fever pitch, we in the Goodluck Support Group cannot afford to be on the sidelines and 'sit-down-look.'

“We are crusaders for a Nigeria where merit and competence take the front burner in determining who gets elected into any political office in general and the presidency in particular. We are committed to making sure that only the best among us is elected to lead the rest of us.

“Most importantly too, Nigerians deserve a President, who irrespective o f where he comes from can deliver on electoral promise. Nigeria needs a President who can take her back to the rightful place in the comity of nations.

“What is good for Nigeria at the moment is a President whose appeal is national and who can illuminate and unlock the latent national potentials through brilliance, hard work and self example. All these are embodied in President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.”

Members of the Elders Committee include former Deputy Governor, Chief Paul Alabi (Chairman), former Deputy Governor and incumbent State Commissioner for Works, Chief (Mrs) Abiodun Olujimi, (vice chairman), former Chief Judge of the old Ondo State, Justice Edward Ojuolape, former Secretaries to the State Government, Chief Afolabi Ojuawo and Chief Bade Gboyega.

“Others are former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon.

Kola Adefemi, former Spokesperson of Afenifere, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, former State Chairman of the PDP, Hon. Ropo Adesanya, Senator C. K.

Awoyelu, Chief Dayo Okondo, Chief Idowu Odeyemi among others while Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Chief Kunle Ogunlade is to serve as the secretary.

Addressing the committee members, Akinyemi said; “As respected Elders and political leader in your respective communities, I am very sure you will help spread the good news to all the nooks and crannies of your communities that what Nigeria and Nigerians need is Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.”

Responding, the committee chairman, Chief Paul Alabi, who went down memory lane said; “Ekiti has no option than to support President Jonathan's aspiration because the person who started the metamorphosis of the Goodluck in Ebele Jonathan was an Ekiti man.

“He said the president's luck started to shine from Ekiti because it was our own son, Navy Captain Calem Olubolade, who brought him from UNIPORT to be made a commissioner. We therefore have no other choice than to finish the job that we started.”