By EMMANUEL UZOR, Onitsha

Ahead of the 2015 general elec­tions, South East leaders yester­day converged on Awka, Anambra State capital at a mega rally, to prevail on President Goodluck Jon­athan to seek a re-elec­tion to complete some of the projects initiated by him.

The mega rally held at Ekwueme Square, Awka, which was organized by the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN, witnessed unprecedented crowd from the five states that make up the zone.

Speaking on behalf of the South East Governors’ Forum, Abia State Governor Theodore Orji said the call on President Goodluck Jonathan to re-present himself for re-election was informed by his develop­mental strides within his first term in office, which he said traversed across the zone and Nigeria in general.

Governor Orji said the call was also to consolidate on the transformation agenda which President Jonathan had initi­ated in various parts of the country, adding that most sig­nificant among them was the realization of the construction of the second bridge across River Niger, among others.

He said Ndigbo and indeed Nigerians in general have seen his trademark in all sectors of the economy, and have come to realize that he has great love for the country and will do more if re-elected as President.

Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, who was represented by the Secre­tary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. Oseloka Obaze said despite the fact that the state is being controlled by the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, the state shall be unan­imous in supporting President Jonathan in 2015.

Governor Obiano said: “In any way that the President will be supported, Anambra State should be counted as one, we shall support President Jona­than to run for the office of President, Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015.”

The former governor of Anambra state, Mr. Peter Obi also said the call on Mr. Presi­dent was to consolidate on his achievements, noting that with Jonathan on the saddle, devel­opment of the country would be consolidated.

The Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo said there was no gainsaying the fact that Jonathan has done well and should be persuaded to seek re-election in 2015.

He said the people of the zone shall be united in their support for him in order to complete the transformation programme he started in the country and urged him to ac­cept the call to seek re-election.

A member of the Board of Trustees, BoT of PDP in South East, Chief Emmanuel Iwuan­yanwu who spoke on behalf of Imo State said the rally was or­ganized by TAN to solicit sup­port for President.

He said the Ndigbo shall be one when it comes to support­ing President Jonathan re-elec­tion, saying that the country had never seen it so good in the past in the country. He said the zone had come to mount pres­sure on Jonathan to come out and seek re-election.

A philanthropist, Chief Ar­thur Eze said the rally was not a political one, but an activity by a non-governmental organi­zation, championed by Dr. If­eanyi Ubah, adding that Ndig­bo will not rest until Jonathan accepts to run for re-election.

Chief Eze thanked Uba for putting up the rally on behalf of Ndigbo, describing it as noble and made a donation of US$1 million for the project.

The former Minister for Women Affairs, Mrs. Jose­phine Aneni who spoke on be­half of the South East women in the zone gave Jonathan ul­timatum to seek re-election in 2015.

The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha who led members of the National Assembly said the senators and members of the House of Representatives have been working together with Jonathan towards developing the country.

Ihedioha said the PDP cau­cus in the House of Represen­tatives had visited the Presi­dent, where they delivered a very important message for him to seek re-election.

He said: “If he accepts to run, the victory is sure. He has started building second Niger Bridge and other developmen­tal projects across the country and we associate ourselves with these laudable projects in the country.”

The Secretary to the Gov­ernment of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim who received the regis­ter of TAN consisting of over 1.6 million signatories said he shall return to President Jona­than and tell him that Ndigbo have adopted him as their only preferred candidate.

Responding, the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi, who represented himPresident thanked the people of the zone for the show of love and trust and promised that President Jonathan shall consider their request to seek re-election.

“Mr. President will not dis­appoint you, when the cam­paign starts, you will surely get response from him for the documents you have signed, he will not disappoint you in any way.”

Other dignitaries that at­tended the rally include the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Senators Uche Chukwumerije Ayogu Eze, Andy Uba and Hon. Uche Ekwunife.


Source: Sun