Former Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa has assured President Goodluck Jonathan of his support if he decides to contest in the 2015 presidential election. Bafarawa told the President in Sokoto yesterday at a grand reception organised to formally welcome him and his teeming supporters to the party fold.
He said the people were solidly behind a Jonathan-led government, even in the wake of criticism. His words: “Mr. President, I don’t want to tell you much story but as far as Sokoto is concerned, you can go and sleep. We have been winning elections but it is unfortunate that we were rigged out. Today the PDP is back and strong. Mr. President, forget about those who betrayed you – you were not the first victim, I was the first. Anybody today in the National Assembly from Sokoto State rode on my political goodwill to their present positions.”
He said he decided to join the party without a single serving councillor or elected members but with supporters who would deliver the state to the PDP in 2015.
He commended the new PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu for his unrelenting efforts in repositioning the party. In his address, President Goodluck Jonathan commended Sokoto State people for their support and love for his administration. He urged them to embrace PDP as the only party that does not discriminate among Nigerians.
“Today, PDP is the symbol of democracy in Nigeria. That is why all Nigerians including those who are in partisan politics believe in PDP. It is the party that has never changed like other political parties. They are still in metamorphosis, but PDP is stable,” he submitted.
He said the visit was not for political campaign but to reassure PDP followers that the party is still united and formidable. His words: “We want the people to know that PDP is still the party to beat; a party that can still lead this country where we want to go. The party that can bring the economic evolution that Nigeria wants.” He described the former governor as a great and formidable politician who had helped many politicians from Sokoto State in their political careers.
He also assured that the combination of Bafarawa and Shagari in the PDP fold would no doubt boost the success of the party in the forthcoming general elections. Earlier in his remarks, Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Muktari Shagari, urged the President to vie for the 2015 presidential election, adding that the people of Sokoto want him to continue the good work done in the state.
“Sokoto is a home to President Jonathan. It is the State that believes every Nigerian has the right to aspire to any political position regardless of the region and religious background,” Shagari said.
He also enumerated projects done in Sokoto State under the Jonathan administration, including the N1 billion given out relief funds to flood victims, establishment of Almajiri Model School and construction of the Sokoto-Kontagora road, among others.
author : TUNDE OMOLEHIN, Sokoto
sources: http://sunnewsonline.com/
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