Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

A delegation of South-East All Progressive Congress (APC) leaders have have endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari, to run for the 2019 presidential election, saying he has done enough to merit a second time.

The delegation also urged the Federal Government to name a national asset after late former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, who died November 19th, 2017, in a London hospital.

The delegation, led by Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, said naming an asset after Ekwueme would show that the nation was appreciative of his important contributions to nation building.

In the words of Onu, “We also thanked the president for the role the Federal Government is playing under his leadership on the burial of one of our very great sons, former Vice President of this great nation, Dr. Alex Ekwueme.

“And we told him that the people of the South East will be happy if a national asset is named after him as a way to show that the nation is also appreciative of his important contributions to nation building.”

The delegation that visited the President comprised the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, represented by his deputy, Eze Madumere, serving members of the National Assembly, former governors, all the ministers from the South East, members of the National Working Committee and National Executive Committee of the APC.

Onu said, “The APC leadership in the South East met on December 31st last year and endorsed the president for a second term.

“We have come today to reaffirm that and to assure Mr. President that the party is working very hard to win future elections.”

The minister disclosed that President Buhari was very happy with the caliber of people that were in the delegation.

“He was very happy because you can see the caliber of people in this delegation; a very high-powered delegation. We have former leaders of the National Assembly at the highest level, Senate President, Speaker, House of Representatives, former heads of government at the state level, one government or represented by the deputy governor because the governor is out of the country, all the ministers from the south east, serving members in the National Assembly both in the Senate and House of Representatives, former members of the National Assembly and very important members in the party.

“We have our national Vice Chairman in the South East, members of the National Working Committee and National Executive Committee all present.

“So the president was very happy that such a delegation thought it fit to come and visit him.”

Asked if the meeting, which was less than 10 minutes, was all about politics and nothing on what is bothering the south east, Onu said, “Oh yes. We first commended the president on the efforts he is making to make sure that there is development in the South East.

“For example, the major roads that run through the five states, if you take the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road, Enugu-Onitsha-Owerri road, this administration has worked very hard.

“I travelled by road to Port Harcourt on the 12th of this month and I can tell you that very significant improvements have taken place. In the past it use to be promises but now is action.

“The second Niger Bridge in the past was promises but now there is action on that very important bridge which is not just for the South East but for the whole country as a matter of fact.

“We also thanked him because the people of the South East are very enterprising people. So, when you are building a railway network, it is important that all major commercial towns are linked up by rail and also gas distribution. And the president gave direct instructions that this should be done and we are very happy. Is not just good for the south east is good for the nation.”

Other notable personalities in attendance were a former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, former Governor of Ebonyi State, Martins Elechi, Sen. Andy Uba, Sen. Ben Uwajimogu, former governor of old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo, Sen. Nkechi Nworgu, Sen. Ifeanyi Ararume, and former minister of labour and productivity, Emeka Wogu.

Others are Sen. Uche Ekwunife, Hon. Tony Nwoye, Okey Ezea, George Moghalu, National Auditor APC, National Vice Chairman South East, Emmanuel Eneukwu, Cosmos Maduba, Sen. Chris Nwankwo, Chris Adighije, Anthony Agbo, Sen. Emma Anosike, former governor of Abia Cosmas Akomas, Nnanna Uzor Kalu, Dr. Uche Ogar, Nnanna Igbokwe, Chairman South East caucus, House of Representatives, Sam Nkire, Mac Nwabara, APC South East women leader, Hon. Austin Chukwukere, Chika Okafor, APC Deputy National Women leader, Tina Ekwueme-Adike,  Princess Gloria Akobundu, among others.

 

 

South-East APC Leaders Ask Buhari To Seek Re-election

Some south East leaders, on Moday, met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chambers in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after which they urged him to seek re-election in next year’s general elections.

The President had earlier met with National Economic Summit Group (NESG)  before the meeting with the South East delegates.

It was gathered that the delegates after the meeting with Buhari with affirmed their endorsement for him contest the 2019 election.

A member of the delegation and Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, after the meeting, told journalists that they were happy with President Buhari’s performance.

He, however, implored the president to link the region with the ongoing rail line projects in the country.

He also assured that the party is working hard to win elections in the region.