Ekiti 2014: no anointed PDP candidate, Says Jonathan
Indications have emerged that President Goodluck Jonathan may have declined the pressure to anoint a candidate for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ahead of governorship election primaries coming soon in Ekiti State.
This emerged after a closed door meeting with the party’s aspirants held Saturday night at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where it was said that President Jonathan assured that will remain neutral in the build up to the primaries that will produce the party’s flag bearer for the forthcoming election.
Those at the meeting were the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy-Cpt. Navy Olubolade (retd.); former governor of the state, Ayo Fayose, Senator Gbenga Aluko, Senator Bode Olowoporoku, Dayo Adeyeye, Bisi Omoyeni, Abiodun Aluko, Yinka Akerele and Femi Bamisile.
Confirming the meeting to State House correspondents on Sunday, Olubolade said the President’s position should be commended, adding that is a good omen for democracy.
He said, “What the President said was that he has not endorsed anybody, that means every aspirant can become the governor. That is good for democracy.
“What we need to do is to take it in good faith and learn the lesson he has offered and use it not to make the mistake of the past so that election will be free and fair under a peaceful atmosphere.
“This is what is important for all of us. Definitely, a governor will emerge and I think the President has set the pace to ensure that violence does not take place with that kind of a meeting. All the aspirants embraced it and they were happy. That is leadership and we commend Mr. President for that.”
The Police Affairs Minister said the current intrigues playing out in the state chapter of the PDP, was to be expected during election era.
He said it was in the interest of politicians in the state to ensure that free and fair election was conducted.
“It is usual that when election is approaching, people are agitated, they are troubled. Everybody want to outdo the other person. It is a natural thing, so it is not put of place.
“But as soon as we get closer, things will start to take shape. It is in our interest that we conduct a free and fair election. It is in our interest that we recognise each other’s capability. When a winner emerges, we should all take it in good faith,” he added.
Olubolade urged leaders at all levels to unite and keep Nigeria at peace.
He said it was the responsibility of all Nigerians to support the President to succeed in his task to move the nation forward.
He said, “They (leaders at all levels) should play their role to support the President. We have just one President and we have to support him. It is our responsibility to support our leader. Whoever God has put in place, we should support him. Whoever we have elected, we should support him.
“It is in our interest to see that whoever God made our President, will succeed. It is our responsibility to make sure our President succeeds. It will portray us in good image before the international community, it will show good example to others coming behind and the followers will see