president Jonathan Obtains PDP nomination form

 

ALL roads led to Wadata House, Headquarters of the ruling People's Democratic Party ( PDP) Thursday as President Goodluck Jonathan was expected to pick the party’s nomination form for the 2015 presidential election,  effectively ending public speculation about his intention to seek reelection.

"It is time to do more," the president said after obtaining the form, which costs 22 million naira [roughly $137,500], at the party's national headquarters.

"We have set up the structure. We will never go back. We will move faster," added Jonathan, who was accompanied by scores of party officials, government ministers, provincial governors and supporters.

Jonathan thanked everyone who had contributed to the purchase of the PDP nomination form, especially the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), a political movement that backs his reelection bid.

Speaking to the media, the Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the President, Reuben Abati, while confirming this, said Jonathan remained very grateful to Nigerians acrossboard, who have, in recognition of his administration's sterling performance, been urging him to seek re-election, noting that their confidence and trust had gone along way in boosting his desire to continue to serve the country.Apart from contributing funds for the costly form, the TAN recently announced that it had gathered at least 27 million signatures calling on Jonathan to contest the race.

"President Jonathan is greatly encouraged by the overwhelming outpouring of goodwill and support, as well as the  confidence of the generality of Nigerians in his ability to continue to transform the country for the good of all of its  people, “ Abati said.


Jonathan is expected to formally announce his reelection bid on November 11 – just ahead of the PDP's national convention – at an elaborate ceremony.

The PDP's top bodies recently endorsed Jonathan as the party's consensus candidate for a second presidential term. He is expected to be officially declared the party's candidate at the upcoming convention.

The ruling party reportedly turned down two other aspirants who had wanted to buy nomination forms – an action many have condemned as undemocratic.


If  reelected in February 2015, the president  will be Nigeria's first democratic leader to be sworn in as president three times.