President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration for a second term took place in an ambience of amity and acclamations of his achievements. The next stages would be raucous.
By Henry Umoru, Assistant Political Editor
ABUJA, the nation’s Capital City literarily stood still on Tuesday as supporters of President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term aspiration stormed the town to witness his formal declaration for the 2015 Presidential election.
Present were politicians, stakeholders, chieftains of the president’s ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, businessmen and women, diplomats, footballers, students among others.
Not surprisingly, the occasion at the Eagle Square led to traffic gridlock and residents of the FCT had no choice than to endure a harrowing day with long hours wasted in the traffic. All the roads to Eagle Square were barricaded by heavily armed security men. Only the top dignitaries were allowed to near the square in their vehicles and only a lesser still were driven into the square.
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan (R) and Nigerian Vice President Namadi Sambo greet supporters at a ceremony in Abuja on November 11, 2014. Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan on November 11 declared his bid for re-election, vowing to finally defeat Boko Haram whose rise in strength during his first term has threatened the country’s sovereignty. The 56-year-old made the announcement to tens of thousands of supporters in the red, white and green of his ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at a carefully orchestrated ceremony including patriotic music, dancing, prayers and speeches. AFP PHOTO
Indeed, there was a massive security lockdown with roads within a five kilometre radius of the Eagle’s Square closed to vehicular traffic with the spill over effect felt as far away as the Airport Road and other major highways leading into the city. Many residents could not get to work or their places of business for most of the day as people trekked long distances to their destinations.
Workers in Abuja living in the eastern flank of the capital city and adjoining Nasarawa State neither did those from the western flank and the adjoining Niger State. Though the Federal government did not declare the day a public holiday, it was practically so for federal workers as the event paralysed economic activities and government businesses, even as civil servants at the Federal Secretariat, Bullet House, Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, among others took a holiday.
Some commuters however expressed frustration and counted their loses as a result of the declaration.
Besides the president and his wife, Vice-President Namadi Sambo was there with his wife at the event which had the majority of the PDP caucus in the National Assembly, and top officials of the ruling party, governors among others.
Conspicuous but not surprisingly absent was President Olusegun Obasanjo, undoubtedly, President Jonathan’s political godfather who by several accounts is not supportive of the president’s second term ambition.
Governorship and senatorial aspirants on the platform of the party used the opportunity to advertise their aspirations. The aspirants danced round the venue with supporters carrying their banners and posters, just as hawkers of various commodities, drummers, market women, Non- Governmental Organisations, NGOs, praise singers were equally not left out.
A Zamfara State Governorship aspirant, Sagir Hamidu; Yobe State Aspirant, Waziri Maina; Abdallah Wali of Sokoto State; Ramallan Yero of Kaduna State; Nyesom Wike of Rivers; Tony Obuh, Prof. Sylvester Monye; Victor Ochei; Senator Ifeanyi Okonwa; all from Delta; Murktar Shagari for Sokoto State, Uche Ogar for Abia State; Engr. Musa Nashuni for Katsina State; Roseline Chenge fir Benue State, were among those who stole the show.
Security presence
The Senator representing Anambra South and Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Andy Uba had a canopy to himself with his supporters, even as the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Senator Philip Aduda were also conspicuous in their outing.
While many people were inside, some of the supporters who came from the states could not enter because of the security presence, leaving them to hang outside. Hawkers, beggars, praise singers were also not left out as they took advantage of the event to make quick money. The Shehu Shagari Way was turned to a market with wares of different kinds raging from caps, shirts, and others being sold.
Different groups like Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN; Diplomatic Youth Movement Nigeria; Women for change and Development initiative; Team Goodluck, Market women Association led by Madam Felicia Sani; South South Peoples Initiative; south East Women Diamond Star; Nigeria Muslim Women for Jonathan/Sambo 2015, among others were on ground.
PDP will be making history with Jonathan because no one would be contesting with him for the PDP ticket after two rivals were shoved aside by the party hierarchy.
Before the President spoke, Vice President Namadi Sambo who introduced him had described President Jonathan as a blessing to Nigeria and said that with him, Nigeria has witnessed tremendous transformation.
In his remarks, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, who spoke on behalf of other governors elected on the platform of the party, said all the PDP governors resolved not to contest against Jonathan because of the achievements recorded in the last four years, adding that with the achievements recorded in the first term of Jonathan’s administration, the PDP would capture about 30 states in 2015.
Transformation agenda
Akpabio who commended the transformation agenda of the administration in the area of power, agriculture, rail, housing and the economy, boasted that victory was assured for Jonathan and the PDP in the 2015 election.
Senate President, Senator David Mark, who spoke on behalf of PDP members of the National Assembly, said Jonathan has proved to be a trusted leader, adding, “You have proved to be a leader that can be trusted; you have been a great inspiration to youths and a reliable leader. We support you and you have laid solid foundation for the development of the country,” Mark said.
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