We’re not worried over govs’ defection – Jonathan

BY Henry Umoru
ABUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan said, yesterday, that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was not in any way worried over the defection of Governors Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State; Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers; Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara; Aliyu Wammako of Sokoto; Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso of Kano and others who dumped the party for the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, saying that some of them cannot win any election in their wards.
Speaking at the National Secretariat of PDP at the 65th National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting, President Jonathan, who was happy that the National Assembly is a PDP Assembly, however, admitted that before now, there were issues, but that the party and its members in the Senate and the House of Representatives had been able to put behind them those problems and were now working in one accord in the interest of the party and Nigeria.
It will be recalled that following some irreconcilable differences, the governors and some members of the party left for the APC.
The President who noted that this period of insurgency was not the best moment for Nigeria, said that the government was addressing complaints of inadequate equipment to deal with the Boko Haram insurgents, adding that the security challenges in the country will soon be a thing of the past.
Meanwhile, NEC, after a debate on the proposal to hold the PDP national conference, according to the provisions of the constitution of the party, resolved to hold same after the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, just as NEC passed a vote of confidence on President Jonathan and praised the decisive steps so far taken to contain insurgency in the country.

From left PDP Deputy National Chairman Uche Secondus Senate President Senator David Mark, PDP Chairman Board of trustee Chief Tony Anineh, Vice President Arc, Namadi Sambo and PDP National Chairman Alh Admu Muazu Welcoming President Goodluck Jonathan to the Party65th National Executive Committee NEC Meeting the Party National Secretariat Abuja on Thursday 5th June 2014

Speaking further, President Jonathan, said: “First, let me congratulate the chairman, this being the first NEC meeting that he is presiding over. Of course, he has addressed us, but he did not chair that meeting. But we elected him based on our constitution and he spoke to us and told clearly his mission. Frankly speaking, from that day till date, he has been focused on rebuilding the party.
“Another group of people that I must specially appreciate is our governors, the PDP governors. You know, in the Nigeria Governors Forum, there were some challenges that came up and PDP governors became very strong.
“Even though some people left us, we are not noticing their absence because of the leadership and commitment shown by Governor Godswill Akpabio, the chairman of PDP Governors Forum and Governor Jonah Jang, the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and other members of the Governors Forum from the PDP.