The much-speculated re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 received a boost yesterday as prominent Igbo leaders threw their weight behind him. Former governors of Abia and Imo states, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and Chief Ikedi Ohakim respectively, along with a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Chris Uba, after a crucial meeting in Lagos yesterday, urged the Igbo race to support Jonathan’s second term bid if and when it is declared.
The trio of Kalu, Ohakim and Uba noted that the South-East needed to give unflinching support to the Jonathan administration so as to ensure speedy completion of the Second Niger Bridge, implementation of the gas master plan, and completion of the development of the nation’s railway, dry ports and other ongoing projects.
Yesterday’s meeting provided an avenue for the trio to critically appraise the state of the nation, how Igboland is faring and how to enhance the fortunes of the South-East in the Nigerian project. Uba had earlier brokered peace between the two former governors.
In a communiqué made available to New Telegraph at the end of the meeting, the trio of Kalu, Ohakim and Uba called on stakeholders in the South-East to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation in order to move the region forward.
They regretted that the bitterness among leaders in the South-East was the major cause of the setback for the region. “Today (yesterday) marks a new beginning in Igbo land. Today’s (yesterday) meeting is a demonstration to the whole world that forgiveness is the key to progress, maintaining that the differences between two prominent sons of the region have been resolved in the interest of our people,” they said.
The meeting also condemned in strong terms the disrespect to the South- East traditional institution by politicians for selfish reasons, adding that traditional rulers remain fathers to all, irrespective of tribe or political affiliation. The group observed the increasing number of unemployed graduates in the region, stating that a technical committee would be set up to draw up an action plan for the engagement of the unemployed. The meeting unanimously urged Nigerians to remain steadfast and prayerful in order to overcome the security challenges facing the country.
Yesterday’s meeting provided an avenue for the trio to critically appraise the state of the nation, how Igboland is faring and how to enhance the fortunes of the South-East in the Nigerian project. Uba had earlier brokered peace between the two former governors.
In a communiqué made available to New Telegraph at the end of the meeting, the trio of Kalu, Ohakim and Uba called on stakeholders in the South-East to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation in order to move the region forward.
They regretted that the bitterness among leaders in the South-East was the major cause of the setback for the region. “Today (yesterday) marks a new beginning in Igbo land. Today’s (yesterday) meeting is a demonstration to the whole world that forgiveness is the key to progress, maintaining that the differences between two prominent sons of the region have been resolved in the interest of our people,” they said.
The meeting also condemned in strong terms the disrespect to the South- East traditional institution by politicians for selfish reasons, adding that traditional rulers remain fathers to all, irrespective of tribe or political affiliation. The group observed the increasing number of unemployed graduates in the region, stating that a technical committee would be set up to draw up an action plan for the engagement of the unemployed. The meeting unanimously urged Nigerians to remain steadfast and prayerful in order to overcome the security challenges facing the country.
Source: New Telegraph
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