Atiku’s South West followers endorse Jonathan for Presidential election

The candidacy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential flag bearer in the March 28 election, President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday received a big boost as he was endorsed by the   South West political family of the late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’adua and the All Progressives Congress (APC)  presidential aspirant, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar operating under the aegis of Atiku Abubakar Associates (AAA) and Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) Collectives.

The groups, while declaring their support for President Jonathan said they were motivated to endorse the candidature of the PDP flag bearer because of  his commitment to the implementation of the  2014  National Conference report.

Speaking on behalf of the South West AAA/PDM Collectives, a leader of the group in the region and former Member of House of Representatives, Bode Ajewole at a media briefing in Akure organised for the same purpose said  the outcome of the APC’s presidential primary election left much to be desired, adding that members of the Collectives in the South West region had deliberated on the ongoing debate concerning the restructuring of Nigeria to have true federalism, which they said the Yoruba people had long been agitating for  and had reached the conclusion  “that we should align with the yearnings of the Yoruba people.”

The Collectives mentioned further that “the Yoruba people are in support of the recommendation of the Confab held last year, most of which President Jonathan has vowed to implement immediately after his re-election,” hence, the Monday endorsement.

The  Collectives said “believing in the ultimate fulfillment of Jonathan’s promises to us in the South West, we  therefore direct all members of AAA/PDM Collectives and all members of the Yar’Adua political family in the South West, including those in APC, SDP, PDM, Labour Party and Accord to support and vote for President Goodluck Jonathan.”

Reacting to the development, Ondo State Governor and South West Coordinator, Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Campaign, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko,  while thanking the Collectives on behalf of the president, also  commended their decision to throw their weight behind the PDP candidate , insisting that  after March 28 they  would celebrate together as President Jonathan would win not only in the South West but get the highest vote.