Northern Elders endorse Jonathan for 2015....Insist on Sambo’s joint ticket Thursday, 04 September 2014 By DOMINIC UZU, Kaduna The Northern Elders Council (NEC), parallel faction of Northern Elder Forum (NEF), has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2015 Presidential Election. The Northern Elders also insisted on the President’s joint ticket with Vice President Nnamadi Sambo. There are indications that group has concluded plans for public declaration of their support and presentation of President Jonathan and Architect Sambo to PDP supporters in the North for the 2015 presidential election. This was revealed at the formal presentation of 50 nominees for the Board of Trustees (BOT) of NEC under the chairmanship of Alhaji Muhammadu Gambo Jimeta at the Arewa House, Kaduna. Alhaji Muhammed remarked that despite the security challenges, the country has remained resilient and has been successfully held together under the administration of President Jonathan. “We recognize the efforts of the Federal Government under the leadership of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in managing the complex challenges with firmness and effectiveness. We are convinced that such efforts can take this country out of the turbulent waters of insurgency and underdevelopment,” he declared. The NEC BOT Chairman further stated: “We also wish to seize this opportunity to register our appreciation for the harmonious working relationship that exists between the President and our leader, the Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo. It is demonstration of leadership by example in our quest to promote peaceful co-existence amongst people of different religion, ethnic and regional backgrounds. We appeal to all Nigerians to follow this shining example.” Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, Chairman of the Northern Elders Council (NEC), said the Council is willing to provide a platform for a proactive and constructive engagement in the socio-economic and political spheres of the North, in particular, and Nigeria, in general. “The Council is totally opposed to the use of reckless and inflammatory statements and utterances which may tend to overheat the polity and undermine the efforts of patriotic Nigerians who are focused on building a virile and prosperous nation. The Council also acknowledges the leadership resources standing in the credit of the North and urges all elder statesmen, leaders of thought, as well as socio cultural organizations to focus more on building harmonious cooperation across all Northern communities. We owe nobody any apology,” Yakasai admonished. Speaking during the inauguration, Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, said that while the temporary setback lasts, elders must bring their wealth of experience to bear in ensuring that’ we build stronger bonds of brotherhood in the entire North.” “I challenge the Board of Trustees of the Northern Elders Council to collaborate with other stakeholders in the region towards finding amicable solutions to myriads of challenges facing us, especially insecurity, poverty, unemployment and crime,” Yero said.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 20:02:28 +0000