President Goodluck Jonathan has promised that his regime will crush the Boko Haram insurgency soonest.
The President spoke whilst addressing a rally at Benin City yesterday, themed the South-south Unity Party.
Dignitaries at the rally included the Vice President, Arch.Namadi Sambo, Senate President, David Mark, National Chairman of the PDP, Adamu Muazu, Governors Liyel Imoke (Cross Rivers), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Theodore Orji (Abia) and the deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State. Others are former governors of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion and Prof. Osariemen Osunbor; a former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alameiseigha; Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion; Senator Roland Owie; Chief Dan Orbih (Edo PDP Chairman); Captain Hosa Okunbor; Ken Imasuagbon; Gen.Charles Airhiavbere; Senator Ehigie Uzamere; Chief Tom Ikimi; and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
The President said, “Before coming to this stadium, we commissioned the Benin-Ore-Shagamu dual carriage road. The governor (Oshiomhole), though he is not a PDP member appreciates that work. And we promise Nigerians that we will improve on infrastructures. And if you observe carefully, those who travel, you will know that the PDP administration has improved the quality of our roads.
“We cannot do all our roads the same day, but, within this short time we have been in power, we have reconstructed the roads, we have also fixed the airports. So when we talk about infrastructure, PDP is not only talking about feeding people. There was somebody who said PDP believes in stomach infrastructure. Yes because PDP must ensure food security. Every President in this world talks about food security and job creation.
“ And we have been commended for reducing hunger, our detractors don’t even want Nigerians to know that we are working, but those who monitor what is happening in the world know that we are working. Recently, we were recognized for fighting Ebola disease. So I promise you that there must be food security and anybody who says that we should not talk about food security is not ready to lead the people.
“You are all aware that we have conquered Ebola and we will surely crush Boko Haram. And if you look at what is happening, a lot of things are changing. Everything is turning around”.
“Let me appreciate the leadership of the party for their commitment and members of our party from the non-PDP states because we know the things they pass through. We are here in Edo for a unity rally, we are not here for campaign, we are here for a unity rally because we must bring our party members together especially now that elections are coming.
“This is South-south Unity Rally. Elections are coming and we have different interests. We appeal to our people, from state to National Assembly, that so many people will be interested in this position but only one person will go. We belong to the same party, so when we are struggling to get to this position, we must do it decently so that we don’t create enemies amongst ourselves. If we don’t create enemies among ourselves and we continue to unite, we will surely get all our states back.
“ At the beginning of 1999 when I took oath of office as Deputy Governor, the entire South-south was PDP. But today Rivers and Edo are no longer in PDP. But from 2015 to 2016 we will get all our states back”. While welcoming Ikimi and other APC decampees to the PDP, Jonathan assured that they will be given a level-playing field with old members.
“People like Ikimi left the PDP before due to internal crisis, but they are back today. Now, we have corrected all the things that made them leave the party. Every party member will be treated equally, no discrimination, no imposition, no god father, no god mother. This is the only party that will give you the freedom and the opportunity to plan to the highest without any interference. Edo State will go to PDP.
“ For Rivers State, we know that the only party there is PDP. Other parties exist on bill boards, so allow their sign boards to stay, we know the party that is controlling Rivers State. All what we need is unity”.
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