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President woos opposition for unity government
President Goodluck Jonathan has sought the cooperation of other political parties in running a successful, stable and smooth administration.
The President made the remark at a consultative meeting with the leadership of the major political parties at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The meeting was attended by principal officers of the PDP, ACN, ANPP, APGA and Labour Party leaving out the CPC which was invited but did not show up.
Jonathan said the meeting was summoned to consult with the parties and to enlist their support before kick-starting his new administration.
Transformation priority
The President said that he was determined to run an all-inclusive administration that would be devoid of controversies and rancour.
President Jonathan said: “irrespective of who is the President or the Governor, what Nigerians are interested in is to have food on their table.
“There should be infrastructure, there should be security and there should be good governance, and I know that not only the ruling party alone can make this possible.”
He assured the political party leaders and stakeholders that his administration’s interest was the Nigerian interest. He said his administration would not play politics of discrimination.
Jonathan stated that political parties played significant roles in the democratisation process of Nigeria and their immense contributions could not be underestimated.
Taking Africa’s center stage
He said the successful and internationally adjudged credible and fair general elections of April had enhanced the chance of Nigeria in clinching the seat reserved for Africa in the UN Security Council.
Jonathan stressed that Nigeria stands a greater change among the three African countries under consideration for the seat. He said that Egypt has been edged out because of the political crisis in that country, leaving out Nigeria and South Africa.
Speaking with State House reporters shortly after the closed door meeting, ACN chieftain and former Lagos State Governor, Alhaji Bola Tinubu said the meeting was “innovative and successful.’’
Strengthening democracy
He said the decision of the meeting to hold regular consultations with the President would not eliminate opposition, rather it would strengthen democracy.
He noted that opposition was not about “cutlasses, daggers and knives’’ but constructive criticisms to put government on its toes to lead the nation well.
The National Chairman of Labour Party, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, said the meeting demonstrated Jonathan's good intentions for the country.
He said the party would consult with elected representatives especially at the National Assembly, to work harmoniously with other parties in making good laws for the benefit of everybody.
APGA National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, also hailed the initiative of the President and said that they would work with him in the interest of Nigerians.
Some of the party leaders at the meeting were the National Chairmen of ANPP, Chief Ogbonaya Onu, ACN: Chief Bisi Akande and Acting National Chairman of PDP.
Also in attendance were the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen Anyim Pius Anyim, ACN Senator-elect and former Anambra Governor, Chris Ngige and former Benue Governor, Sen. George Akume.
NAN/Williams
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