PDP women kick off campaign for Jonathan

Posted by admin Party Politics, Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), Women Politics Thursday, February 21st, 2013

• President’s wife tasks N’Assembly over N4b mansion

• He can contest, says Fasehun

DESPITE a claim by President Goodluck Jonathan that campaigning for the 2015 election is diversionary, what appears like a tacit endorsement of his candidature for the race came Thursday with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Women Leader, Ambassador Kema Chikwe, saying that the wing of the ruling political grouping would persuade him to contest.

Also, his wife, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, urged the National Assembly to pass the N4 billion budget for the building of African First Ladies’ mansion.

On his part, the leader of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, appealed to Nigerians to allow Jonathan go for the 2015 presidential race.

According to him, Jonathan has a democratic right to run for the election and should be allowed to do so if Nigerians consider him to have brought peace to the polity.

Speaking at the launching of PDP ‘’Women-in-Power’’ 2013 calendar, in Abuja, Chikwe, a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, said Jonathan had demonstrated love for female folk by increasing their number in government and should be supported in 2015.

On the occasion, Mrs. Jonathan commended PDP women for organising the event, saying the ruling group would not be intimidated by the merger of major opposition political parties.

She said she would never contest election in Nigeria and that anytime her husband retires, she would go back home with him.

Speaking on the controversial First Lady Peace Mission in Abuja being proposed by the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), she appealed to the National Assembly to approve the N4 billion budgeted for the project because the building is not for her but for Nigeria.

She made reference to the late Mariam Babangida and Mariam Abacha who built the Women Centre and the National Hospital respectively, saying they did not carry the buildings when they left government.

Others at Thursday’s event were the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Maina Sambo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim who stood in for Jonathan; Senate President David Mark, represented by Senator Helen Esuene; House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal who was represented by Majority Leader, Munirat Adeola-Akande and PDP national leaders led by the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja.

Also present were governors’ wives led by Judith Amaechi of Rivers State, ministers, presidential aides, PDP chiefs from all over the country, leadership of the National Council of Women Societies and representatives of civil society organisations.

Fasehun promised the OPC’s commitment to provide security for petroleum pipelines in the South-West to curb vandalism that has drastically affected oil output in Nigeria.

He spoke in Abuja Thursday when he visited the Special Adviser to Jonathan on Niger Delta, Kingsley Kuku.

The Neo-Black Movement (NBM) of Africa has equally pledged its readiness to help the government and oil companies combat pipeline vandalism.

NBM’s Head (Worldwide), Mr. Bemigho Eyeoyibo, made the pledge recently when he met the commissioner representing Edo State at Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Henry Okuarubo.

He hailed Okuarubo’s vision and dedication in the discharge of his duties, saying he has brought many projects to the state.

He added: “NBM is a pan-Africanist organisation dedicated to the unity and development of the continent and its people in the Diaspora. We are capable of tackling pipeline vandals.”

– Guardian
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