Accord Party Adopts Goodluck Jonathan

The National Working Committee of the Accord Party, AP, Friday adopted President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate for the February 14 Presidential election.

The party also announced its opposition to the shifting of the February 14 Presidential election.

Addressing a world press conference at its National Secretariat in Abuja, the party’s National Secretary, Adisa Oladapo Nureni stated that: “We (Accord Party) wish to associate ourselves with those in this country who are saying a tacit no to the growing moves to shift the date of the elections.

“As a political party which has sampled the mood of our numerous candidates and supporters nationwide, a polls shift in our opinion will only prolong the suffering of the masses without necessarily changing the political balance existing between the two major contenders for the Presidential election.

“We are therefore of the opinion that INEC should receive recommendation for being proactive on the issue of PVCs distribution and for insisting that timetable for the elections is not tampered with’’, he said

On Accord Party adoption of President Jonathan, the National Secretary said: “The mandate to enter into talks with the PDP was borne out of the motivation of our numerous candidates most of whom crossed over to our party from the PDP and who also believe that President Jonathan remains a better candidate for the Presidential elections and deserve to be supported by Accord.

Nureni disclosed that after much brainstorming by the Working Committee and other stakeholders of the party, the following considerations were counted for President Jonathan:

“His administration has promoted and preserved the corporate entity of the Federal Republic Republic of Nigeria; The economy under his watch has witnessed appreciable growth; His transformation agenda is making a desirable impact in transforming the nation’s infrastructure.

“He is giving his all in the fight against insurgency in the Northeastern part of Nigeria and has effectively rallied the entire country into seeing the terrorists as enemies of the country among other reasons.

On whether the party considered what many perceive as the President’s lukewarm attitude towards corruption and insecurity before adopting him, Nureni said the President has shown the will to fight corruption, but the bulk rests with the Judiciary to do its work.