Enugu Opposition onslaught, mere politics - Amadu Ali
February 28, 2007

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmadu Ali, has described the activities of the opposition on the political scene of Enugu State as “mere politics.”

Addressing party supporters during the PDP Presidential campaign rally at Okpara Square, Enugu. Dr. Ali advised the people never to be discouraged but to remain committed in their support to the party and the state government.

According to him, “I don’t want you to feel discouraged by whatever is happening. It is part of politics. It is part of politics, as far as I care”, he said.

The PDP National Chairman, who expressed satisfaction with the landmark achievements of Governor Nnamani, went further to tell the people, “So when you hear all these stories going around, people writing petitions, it is all part of the game. Don’t be discouraged. We shall get over it”, he said.

He described Governor Nnamani as an excellent administrator and manager of men and materials, who has used the meager allocations coming to achieve so much for his people.

According to him, “Your state is one of the states that have the least allocation from the federation account….yet, Ebeano has done a tremendous job for you, that I keep saying that he is the greatest manager of men and materials that I know”, he said.

Senator Ali told the people that he and the PDP came to Enugu to campaign for their votes and continued support to the party and its candidates for the April elections. He stated that Governors Umaru Yar’adua and Goodluck Jonathan both university lecturers, as well as Mr. Sullivan Chime, a vibrant lawyer and his running mate, belong to the younger generation who are ready to serve the people and carry on with the present reform of the administration.

Also addressing the mammoth crowd of party supporters, the PDP Presidential Flag bearer, Governor Yar’adua, pledged to serve the nation diligently with his heart if voted into office.

“We believe in service, not rulers. That is why I pledge to all Nigerians that I, Umaru Yar’adua, will be a servant leader, and will serve Nigeria. Service to Nigeria will be my life, breath, thinking and doing. From henceforth, everything I do will be in the interest and service to Nigeria”, he said.

Alhaji Yar’adua thanked Governor Nnamani, leaders and members of the party in the state for the confidence reposed on him and his running mate, Dr. Jonathan and assured that they would continue to uphold the honour.

The PDP Presidential flag bearer promised to tackle the problem of energy and power supply revive agriculture and the solid mineral sectors of the nation’s economy so that they could contribute to the growth of the economy while the reform in the educational sector will continue.

“We are going to ensure that the agricultural sector contributes not less than 30% to the national economy, that the solid minerals sector comes to play a major party in the national economy, continue with education reform and ensure high quality education to children who need it, free education compulsory for the first nine years”, he said.

Other areas to be addressed by the administration, he said, include land reforms to enable Nigerians own lands, national security to encourage internal and external investors and ensure that the rule of law established since 1999 becomes an acceptable culture in the land.

He used the occasion to call on the people of Enugu, to “take this mission of PDP seriously, come into the umbrella and join hands to build a greater Nigeria.”

The Enugu State governor, Chimaroke Nnamani, in his speech, described the rally as a celebration of the future successes of the party come May 2007.

“Indeed, the celebration starts today. As this campaign train moves, we in Enugu State wish you well. But for us, by the grace of God, the job is done already”, the Governor said.

Governor Nnamani thanked the organizers of the rally and the leadership of the PDP for their good works and urged the people to continue with their support to the party and vote for its candidates as they did during previous elections.