*As Nasarawa State endorses him

By Daniel Idonor

ABUJA—IN what is close to his official acceptance and declaration, said to be very soon, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday enthused that should he decide to run in next year’s presidential election, he would count on the support of the people of the North-Central geo-political zone to win the political race.

The president, who had been fielding questions from newsmen over whether he would run or not, but has not responded, except yesterday when the delegation of Nasarawa State, led by Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma visited him, stated that he would draw on the support of the government and people of Nasarawa State should he decide to seek re-election next year.

“We wish to state that should you decide to answer the clarion calls from different parts of the country to contest the 2011 presidential election, we, the people of Nasarawa State are resolved to give you our total support and commitment,” they told Jonathan.

The visit was coming after  stakeholders from the region, led by former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, called on him to declare for the presidential election as a candidate.

It will be recalled that Plateau State was the first to endorse President Jonathan even before the calls on him to contest the coming polls.

The state governor, Jonah David Jang, had assured the president of a 100 per cent vote delivery at all levels should he show interest in the race, promising that every vote in the state would be in his favour.

President Jonathan, who welcomed the promise of the people of Nasarawa State to vote for him through their “total support and commitment,” said  he was encouraged by the delegation’s visit and its appreciation of his achievements in the little time it has had in office.
The president reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that every vote counts in next year’s general elections, saying  he will make no compromises on that commitment.

“We will not shift an inch away from it. Public office holders must truly enter office with the mandate of the people. If votes do not count, then public office holders cannot be compelled to do the right thing.

“Ensuring that all votes count is, therefore, the best way of ensuring that our democracy stabilizes and our people reap its positive dividends,” Jonathan said.

He affirmed his administration’s commitment to accelerate the pace of national economic development, boost power supply and provide essential infrastructure in all parts of the country.

On the request by the delegation that the dualisation of Abuja–Keffi road be extended to Akwanga and Lafia, and onward to Makurdi and Enugu, President Jonathan said it was his belief that all the arterial roads into the federal capital should be expressways to facilitate easy movement in and out of the city.