Jonathan Hails S’East Over Support

Nigeria’s  President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has commended the people of the South East zone for their support for him and his administration, promising to tackle the problems currently facing the area, especially gully erosion and kidnapping.

Dr. Jonathan, who made his feelings known Friday, while addressing the people of the zone at the multi million naira Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, Enugu, in continuation of his nationwide campaign tour, recalled that the people of the zone also supported him even when he was the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state.

According to him , of all the zones visited so far by his campaign train, the zone had shown more support and enthusiasm to vote massively for him come April 9, noting that “When Igbos say something, they abide by it”.

Jonathan stated unequivocally  that Federal Government was committed to tackling the problem of gully erosion, kidnapping, as well as epileptic power supply.

He said  the Oji power station would be reactivated to ensure adequate power supply to Enugu being the former capital of old Eastern region.

He, also used the forum to thank Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State for the confidence reposed in him by adopting him as their sole Presidential candidate in the forthcoming 2011 general election.

Speaking earlier, the host Governor, Barrister Sullivan Chime, had told President Jonathan that “You have come to Enugu today not to campaign, but to identify with the people of the South East zone, who have resolved to return you to office come April this year.

“You can come to Enugu for another engagement, but not to campaign. Go to other zones to campaign. The people of the South East have since resolved to give you 100 per cent vote in April this year  to enable you continue with the good work you have started.

“I have been mandated by the people of the zone to tell you this”, the governor said.

Also in his remark,  while corroborating Chime’s statement, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Martin Elechi, described the president as a detribalised Nigerian who sees all the zones of the country as his own constituency.

Elechi urged the people of the zone to continue in their support for him by voting massively for him during the April 2011 general election.

Also, former Vice President and elder statesman, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, described the South East and South – South zones as strong base of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).