L–R: Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bello Mohammed; President Goodluck Jonathan; and Vice-President Namadi Sambo, at the President’s first campaign rally at the Lafia Mini Stadium in Nasarawa State
Jonathan, during a rally held at the Lafia Mini Stadium, Lafia, Nasarawa State, said those who were encouraging people to throw bombs across the country should continue.
Government, he assured would ‘continue to investigate’ until they would be caught and made to account for their misdeeds.
He said, “This administration will not sweep any crime under the carpet and there will be no sacred cows. Those who are encouraging people to bomb should continue. We will get them as we will not abandon investigation into any crime.
“We are investigating all the crimes and we are not going to leave any stone unturned in getting to their roots.”
He said his government was aware that security was central to the development of the country and that that was why it was developing new methods of investigating crimes.
The President added that apart from security, his attention, if elected President in April, would also be focused on power since it is the engine of economic growth.
Pointing out that the economy was central in moving the country forward, he appealed to Nigerians to be patient.
He likened the economy to a farmer who after a planting season awaits a period of harvest.
Jonathan also said he had realised that before the economy could be on a strong footing, the people must be enlightened through education.
He stated that there must be good graduates that could drive the economy, adding that this was why he was of the opinion that every state must have a federal university.
“We have started and by 2012, all the states in the federation would have (a federal university)” the President added.
Jonathan assured the audience that his government was committed to the improvement of power supply and agricultural production in the country.
On transportation, he said, “We are also working on the rail because without it our roads are going to collapse. Nasarawa is on the map of states that would benefit from the rail system.”
Also speaking at the rally, Vice-President Namadi Sambo said the President had demonstrated that he was capable of leading the country with his performance within the period he assumed office.
He, therefore, appealed to the people of the North Cenral to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming general elections.
Sambo said the President had done much for the people of the zone and that if given another chance, he would do more.
The vice-president said, “Today, we are here to start a great journey and we call on you that on April 9, when we shall vote for the president, you cast your vote for President Jonathan.
“Within a short period that he has been in office, he has been able to put education as one of the great cardinal points to address poverty by making sure that every state has a university.
“Today, we have a new university in Kogi State, we have a new university in Nasarawa State, and we are going to build a new refinery in Kogi State.
“Talking about experience, he is the most qualified among other presidential aspirants. He was a former deputy governor, a former governor, a former vice-president and now he is our president and he is going to be our next president.
“He is a doctorate degree holder, a scientist and he has me, an architect, as his deputy and together we are designing a new Nigeria.”
Three former National Chairmen of the PDP— Chief Solomon Lar, Chief Bernabas Gemade and Senator Ahmadu Ali — as well as the President of the Senate, Mr. David Mark, also took turns to speak at the rally.
Mark said before the presidential primaries, it was the decision of the people of the zone that the country needed an educated and a dynamic leader.
Mark said he was sure that the people of the zone would not to let their leaders down and urged them to continue to vote for the PDP.
The Chairman of Republic Party of Nigeria, Alhaji Rasheed Shittu, also spoke on behalf of Patriotic Alliance of Nigeria, which comprise some political parties supporting Jonathan.
Others who also spoke at the occasion were the Deputy National Chairman of the PDP in North-Central, Alhaji Yusuf Ayitogo; and a former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Ina Ciroma.
The Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Haliru Bello, presented the party’s flags to Jonathan and the governorship candidates of the party from the zone.
The governorship candidates are Dr. Aliyu Babangida (Niger); Chief Gabriel Suswan (Benue); Mr. Jonah Jang (Plateau); Mr. Akwe Doma (Nasarawa); Alhaji Jibril (Kogi); and Alhaji Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara).
The senatorial candidates in the zone also received the PDP flag from Mar
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