27th September, 2010
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan this evening returned his completed nomination form for his aspiration to contest the forthcoming 2011 general elections on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.
The President was accompanied by some PDP governors and other stalwarts of the party.
Some of the governors on the President’s entourage include Oyo State Governor, Adebayor Aloa–Akala; Ekiti State Governor, Segun Oni and Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda.
Other governors are Sulivan Chime of Enugu State, Akwe Doma of Nassarawa State, Liyel Imoke of Cross River State and Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State.
President Jonathan debunked the claims by other Northern aspirants in the party that his candidature will tear the nation apart due to the zoning principle of the party which had zoned the Presidency to the North from 2007 to 2015.
He stated that he is constitutionally empowered to run for the office of the president of the country and also stated that the zoning principle of the party did not prohibit him from running.
Jonathan also denied the allegation that his campaign activities are being funded and sponsored with government funds.
According to Mr. President, “Elections are supported by people. At the appropriate time those who are supporting our campaign will be made public.â€
—Nnamdi Felix/Abuja