PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, on Saturday in Lagos, declared that democracy is maturing in the country with his adoption by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as its sole candidate for the 2015 poll, saying the step was in line with the advanced democracies of the world and an indication that the party harboured no dictators in whatever form.This was as the president urged the gathering at the rally tagged: 'PDP South West Sensitisation/Unity Rally,' to stand up and observe a minute's silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the tragedy that occurred a few days ago at the Synagogue Church of All Nations in the state.Speaking at the rally, which took place at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Obalende and attended by Vice President Namadi Sambo, Governors Godswill Akpabio, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Liyel Imoke, Chief Bode George, former Governors Ayodele Fayose, Adebayo Alao-Akala, senators, members of the House of Representatives, ministers, PDP National Chairman, Adamu Muazu; leadership of the zone led by Chief Ishola Filani, among others, the president noted that his adoption as a sole candidate of the party in 2015 was a new thing in the country.The president, who expressed appreciation to the entire leadership of the party headed by Muazu and in particular the South West PDP for their commitment in spite not having any governor, also said that the gesture was an indication that the PDP was always prepared to give direction and not ready to disappoint Nigerians.According to him, democracy is maturing in the country under the watchful eye of PDP because no individual is powerful enough to solely determine who should be what or stand for any election within the party fold.Jonathan, while promising that his government would work with the National Assembly to ensure the passage of the recommendations of the National Conference, also promised the implementation of the outcome, even as he paid tribute to Senator femi okunrounmu, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi and other Yoruba delegates for doing their race proud at the confab.The president declared that his achievements in office could be seen in areas such as agriculture, health, oil industry, especially with the passage of Nigerian Content Law, which he said had enabled many Nigerians to now participate in the sector.'The Vice President and I have promised not to disappoint the people; the PDP will continue to do the right thing and we promise you that we will not disappoint you,' he said.In his remark, Vice President Sambo described the president as a game changer, who he said had brought a new lease of life through his transformation agenda in areas such as power, agriculture, health, job creation, sea, air and rail transportation as well as road construction, including Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Sagamu- Ore Road, and East-West road.He stated that jonathan had also established nine universities and ensured that states that hitherto had no federal universities were now proud owners and, therefore, urged the South-West people to give full support to the president and vote him into office in the 2015 election.Others that were in attendance at the rally included Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun, Erelu Olusola Obada, Senator Bode Ola, Hon. Demeji Bankola, Senator Andy Uba, Chief (Mrs.) Kema Chikwe, Senator Ayo Adeseun, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, Hon. Muraina Ajibola, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Prof Wale Oladipo, Mr. Taiwo Akeju, Chief Sola Adeyeye, former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Senator Hosea Agboola, among others.Speaking at the event, the PDP National Chairman, Mu'azu, Governor Akpabio, who spoke on behalf his colleagues, Hon. Mulikat Akande Adeola on behalf National Assembly South West PDP caucus, Chief Jumoke Akinjide on behalf of Southe West ministers, all said the party was set to take over the zone come 2015.Mu'azu, who recalled that the party lost three states in the South-West but had started recapturing them with its victory in Ekiti through Fayose, also stated that the Lagos State was going be won by the PDP in 2015 as he had always to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola.'We have lost three states in the south west but we have started recapturing our states starting with Ekiti-State.
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