Jonathan Re-assures On Free Polls

President Goodluck Jonathan has re-assured Nigerians and international community that 2011 general elections will be free and fair, and the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC will operate above board.

President Jonathan also declared his government readiness to turn the heat on kidnappers who are currently on prawl in the South East while calling on community leaders and women collaborators to desist forth with from collaborating with them.

Speaking at the 51st NEC meeting of the PDP in Abuja, President Jonathan said “1 promise Nigerians and the whole Nation that the election in Nigeria will be free and fair in 2011 and everybody at INEC will be above board”.

He said he has already forwarded the list of the new INEC Commissioners that will superintend the 2011 elections for consideration, stressing that any Nigerian who has any misgiving about any of those appointed should voice it before the senate’s confirmation of the list now that it’s still within its purview to alter the list.

Government, he said would tackle the issue of kidnapping frontally adding that a situation “where we hire machinegun carrying security operatives to escort our wives to churches in other not to be kidnapped with be resisted at all cost by this administration.”

Jonathan thanked the party and National Assembly for given him the needed support in its choice of vice President and assured that together, they will offer the nation. “good governance”.

Meanwhile, the new Chairman of PDP Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo has outlawed thuggery, “Ghana must go” bags and god-fatherism from the party.

Dr. Nwodo, a former National secretary of the party succeeded erstwhile chairman, prince Vincent Ogbulafor who resigned from office on May 13 following allegation of corrupt enrichment leveled against him by the ICPC which also dragged him to an Abuja magistrate court where he is currently standing trial.

Speaking after the ratification, Dr. Nwodo thanked the party for the confidence reposed on him and pledged to build a new party that members would be proud of, saying that there were no winners or losers in the “contest” for the chairmanship position.

Dr. Nwodo said the focus of his administration will be primarily to rebuild the party’s image, explaining that to do this, “I will first of all open up the party to all Nigerians who deserve to join the party and would want all members and prospective members to revalidate or register their membership by paying stipulated subscription fees into designated banks”

Dr Nwodo outlawed thuggery and “Ghana must go bags” in the party, stressing that any candidate who employ thugs in the primary elections will be disqualified, no matter how highly placed. PDP is saying no to thuggery and all manner of electoral malpractices”

Justus Awaji, Abuja