Interest groups nationwide on Tuesday converged on Abuja to witness the formal declaration by President Goodluck Jonathan to re-contest the 2015 presidential election.
The groups, including students, women, labour, youths and elder statesmen, all urged Jonathan to continue his transformation agenda.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jonathan had arrived at the Eagle Square Abuja, to a tumultuous reception by an unprecedented crowd of supporters and party faithful.
The president, amidst water-tight security, acknowledged cheers and applause from the surging crowd.
PDP top notchers, representing various zones nationwide, including former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa; Senate President, David Mark; former Gov. Peter Odili of Rivers, all endorsed the president’s ambition.
Mark assured the president of the National Assembly’s support for his transformation agenda and continuity in office.
He urged Jonathan to accept the overwhelming pressure on him to continue in office, adding that if he failed to do so, all the efforts under the transformation agenda would collapse.
He said Jonathan had used the agenda to transform education, power sector and the entire economy, adding that he had laid a solid foundation for the country’s transformation.
Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom said PDP had been robbed of some states but assured the president that the party would reclaim them and win in 30 states.
He urged the president not to be intimidated by the negative things the opposition was saying about him.
Akpabio, who spoke on behalf of PDP Governors Forum, said although the road to 2015 was not going to be smooth, the forum would assure the president that it would work hard for PDP to win the 2015 elections.
Sen. Ken Nnamani, on behalf of the South West, said Jonathan should continue and complete the Niger Bridge and give good roads to the people.
He urged the president to address the security challenges in the country, stressing that “the president knows where the problem is coming from’’.
NAN reports that the venue of the event was filled to capacity with supporters both within and outside the square.
Various entertainment groups were not left out as many of them played and danced to different tunes to the delight of crowd.