In a tactical move to showcase the unity between them, Vice President Namadi Sambo friday in Abuja on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan submitted the President’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to contest for the Peoples Democratic Party’s Presidential ticket at its National Convention slated for December 10.
On the same day, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal accepted the challenge to put himself forward to vie for the presidential ticket of the opposition All Progressives Congress.
Also yesterday, the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu reiterated that Jonathan remained the sole candidate of the party, despite the fact that AbdulJelili Tafawa Balewa, the son of the former Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa collected the presidential nomination form; the party also called on Prof. Duke Abiola to come and pick her presidential nomination form.
Jonathan had personally on October 30 collected the Presidential Nomination and Expression of Interest forms and on November 11 publicly declared his interest to seek a second term in office.
Leading a powerful delegation of stakeholders, Sambo submitted Jonathan’s forms to Muazu who in turn re-submitted it to the National Organising Secretary, Abubakar Mustapha.
Sambo thanked all the stakeholders that joined him in submitting the forms on behalf of the President.
The dignitaries that followed the Vice President to submit the forms include the Secretary to the Government of Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; the President of the Senate, David Mark; the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; the Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; the Chairman of PDP Governor’s Forum, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State; Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake, Dickson; former President of the Senate, Ken Nnamani, former governor of old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo, former governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Sam Egwu and former governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim.
Sambo who eulogised the President, described him as “Our dear President, our transformational President who has touched many lives and moved our country forward.”
The PDP National Chairman in his response, expressed happiness that the party at its caucus meeting, agreed to unanimously endorse Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate for 2015 presidential election.
Accordingly, he said: “This is a very big sign of confidence by the party members and it has arisen because of your total commitment in the development of our country. And that’s a result of your hard work. I therefore thank you and congratulate you. I wish you God’s guidance and protection in this journey that we have all started. We pray that God almighty grant you and other members of our team, governors, senators and members of the House of Representatives and state Houses of Assemblies great success in the coming election. May the almighty God in his infinite mercy continue to bless, help and guide us all.”
The deadline for the submission of all nomination forms ended by 12 midnight Friday.
