8th February, 2011
President Goodluck Jonathan said on Monday that his administration would focus on the development of the economy and security, describing the two as key to the survival of every nation.
He said this at the commencement of the PDP’s presidential campaign in Lafia, Nasarawa. He vowed to fish out criminals and bring them to justice so as to secure Nigeria.
“This administration will not sweep any crime under the carpet, there will be no sacred cow. We will investigate to get to the root of every crime, we will not stop.
“We will look for more sophisticated ways of investigating crime,â€he said. He reiterated government’s commitment to the development of the key sectors of the economy which include power and agriculture.
He said that the coal deposit in Benue and Kogi states would be used to develop the economy as contract for the survey have been awarded.
He said that government would pursue the issue of power squarely as it was key to the development of any nation. He said that government was committed to the provision of quality educational system capable of driving the economy. Earlier, Vice President Namadi Sambo said that government would develop four coal power plants in Nasarawa, Benue and Kogi states to boost economy in the zone.
He said that Jonathan had made education as one of the focal points of his administration. Gov. Akwe Doma said that people of Nasarawa believed in the capacity of Jonathan to lead the country.
“We believe in your capacity to lead Nigeria to the promised land. “We are determined to leave no stone unturned to ensure your victory at the forthcoming presidential election,†he said. Alhaji Yusuf Ayitogo, PDP National Vice –Chairman, North Central zone, said that all PDP candidates in the zone would support the aspiration of Jonathan in the presidential election.
Chief Solomon Lar, former chairman of PDP, said that the zone as the bridge between other states in the country would ensure victory for Jonathan. Chief Barnabas Gemade, former chairman of PDP, described the zone as the pacesetter of Nigerian politics.
“We in the middle belt are the political pacesetters of Nigerian politics,†he said. Senate President, David Mark, said that North Central was key to the political direction of Nigeria. He said that the choice of Jonathan as the party’s candidate was a result of wider consultation across the country.
He said that Nigerians would not be disappointed if they voted for Jonathan in the April 9 presidential election. Alhaji Haliru Bello, Acting National Chairman of PDP, urged the North Central people to maintain their political milestone. Hajiya Ina Ciroma, PDP National Woman Leader, cautioned against mixing politics with religion.
She said that people doing that had nothing to offer, advising that Nigerians should insist on issues rather than sentiments targeted at heating the polity.
Ciroma lauded women over massive registration to vote in the April general elections. The high point of the occasion was the presentation of the PDP flag to President Jonathan and his deputy, the six governorship candidates of the party in the zone to contest the April elections.
The governorship candidates are, Akwe Doma, Nasarawa, Jonah Jang, Plateau, Gabriel Suswam, Benue, Aliyu Babangida, Niger, Isah Echocho, Kogi and Alhaji Fatai of Kwara States.