Enugu monarchs, UPN back Jonathan’s reelection

Five weeks to the presidential election, more support came the way of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday afternoon as majority of the traditional rulers in Enugu State vowed to mobilise their subjects to vote for him on February 14.
Also, the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) endorsed him as its presidential candidate.
The Enugu monarchs told the president after the PDP rally in Enugu that they would back his reelection.
The Chairman of the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, assured the president that the state would remain a PDP state.
According to him, the president had no problem in the state because the people would always vote for a reliable government.
“We are custodians of peace and culture. With the transformation agenda of Mr President, we have gained a lot.
“We are not politicians but we urge politicians not to see politics as a do-or-die affair.
“We appeal to politicians to deliver issue-based manifestos and not inciting ones,’’ he said.
Also, the UPN adoption was announced at its first National Convention to elect new officers in Lagos.
Speaking after the ratification of the new executives by members of the party from across the nation, the national chairman, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, said that the UPN was a new party and needed time to take roots in all parts of the country.
“We are still a young party and that is why we are not fielding a presidential candidate.
“We have asked our members who we are to support. We felt their pulse and it was moving in a particular direction.
“Allowing President Jonathan to continue in office for another four-year term will allow for the maturation of his infrastructural and socio-economic programmes.
“It will also guarantee continuity in development policies which a new government may likely abort.
“We are not confused about those we know that do not deserve our votes and our precious support.
“Therefore, the UPN will support Jonathan in next month’s election. We have endorsed him as our candidate.
“The national convention hereby resolves that all UPN structures and members nationwide will work for Jonathan” he said.