Jonathan support groups close ranks in Taraba

AWARE of the ongoing threat by opposition parties to oust the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Taraba State in February, various interest groups are marshaling strategies aimed at salvaging the party from suffering defeat in the elections.

  First, about three interest groups recently converged at the multipurpose hall of the Jalingo Motel, to seek a way forward for the party that is seemingly at the verge of collapse in the state.

  As if that was not enough, no fewer than eight interest groups converged the other day at the same spot, crying for help from Tarabans not to allow the dreams of the opposition parties for PDP to see the light of the day.

  The organisations, which collectively resolved to work as a team in order to ensure an overwhelming victory for the ruling party in the state and possibly in the country at large, are: The Global Achievers Group; House to House Goodluck Support Initiative 2015; and the Nigerian Youths Network for Goodluck Jonathan Continuity.

  Others are: Goodluck/Sambo and Darius/Manu Volunteer Group; Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, and the Jonathan Youth Vanguard.

  In their various submissions, the coordinators of the groups noted that the activities of “smaller parties” in the state, if not adequately checkmated, would end up in springing surprises in the February elections; hence the need to “join forces together.”

  That the opposition parties in Taraba State have been giving the ruling PDP sleepless nights is not an overstatement, as all the billboards and signposts carrying President Goodluck Jonathan posters have been brought down to their knees.

  Following this development and not ready to forfeit the state to the opposition in next month’s elections, the PDP groups have been touring the nooks and crannies of the state, pleading with the electorate to bury their hatchet and vote for the PDP.

  Citing the numerous developments in the state, which according to them, were made possible by President Jonathan, the Coordinator of The Global Achievers Group, Prince Aboki Stephen Bayonga, said the groups had resolved to work tirelessly, round clock, to ensure victory for the party.

  Before signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the groups unanimously debunked the rumours making the rounds that “smaller parties have taken over the state.”

  While encouraging the electorate to come out en-masse to ensure the continuity of the present administration at the national level, they stressed the need for eligiblea voters to collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVCs.

  According to Bayonga, they affirmed that, “all the groups have resolved to join forces in order to ensure victory for President Jonathan, and the governorship candidate of the state, Arc. Darius D. Ishaku.”

  He stressed the need for all contestants to desist from campaigns of calumny and character assassination, promising that the groups would continue to discourage the use of thugs by some politicians.

  Bayonga implored the people to put aside their religious and ethnic differences and throw their weight behind PDP, which, he said, had brought smiles to the faces of the people of the state.

  The ongoing work at the multipurpose Kashimbila Dam located in Takum local government, the establishment of both Federal University in Wukari and Federal Polytechnic in Bali, to mention just a few, are some of the reasons he believes Tarabans “ought not to waste their votes.”

  Noting that “President Jonathan is an achiever, he urged the people, especially the teeming youths of the state and the country that, “the time to tread the path of an achiever has become necessary for the rapid growth of our dear country.”

  The groups frowned at persons pointing accusing fingers at the President, as a result of the activities of insurgents in the region and in some parts of the country. 

  Noting that terrorism “is a global problem,” they urged Nigerians to desist from blaming their leaders, “but must learn to give the much-needed helping hands to leaders to succeed in their assigned constitutional responsibilities.”

  Unlike in the previous general elections where the ruling parties had a smooth ride to the seat of power and other elective positions, the reverse may be the case in the coming polls as both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) are trying all legitimate means to triumph at the end of the exercise.

  Presently weighing against the PDP is its refusal to make use of delegates that emerged at the primaries. Critics have continued to accuse the party of imposing unpopular candidates for the various elective posts.