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The 36 states governors in Nigeria have pledge to support the administration of the country’s new President Goodluck Jonathan to sustain the legacy left behind by the late President Umar Yar’adua.
Jonathan who was busy receiving Very Important Personalities (VIP) on his first full day in office after being sworn in on Thursday also pledge to continue with the initiatives of the late Yar’adua.
Governors of the 36 states, former Heads of State and the leadership of his party, the Peoples Democraticv Party (PDP), all came to condole with him over the death of ex-president Umaru Yar’Adua and to pledge their support and loyalty.
The governors said they had confidence in the ability of Jonathan to steer the ship of state, describing him as the leader needed at this critical point in the nation’s history.
The governors described Yar’Adua’s death as a collective loss.
Speaking with newsmen after meeting with the president, the Chairman of Governors’ Forum, Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State, said: "the demise of our late president, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, is a national tragedy; but we know that it is a personal tragedy for you as well. We know that you have not only lost a great boss, but also a true friend and a loving brother. Mr. President, please accept our condolences.
" But even as we mourn, it is with hearts full of faith and submission to His will, that we approach the Almighty God in this morning after; to turn our collective grief into a positive energy that will serve this country. We believe this is the honour that we all owe to that great son of Nigeria who believed in Nigeria; and who served Nigeria with all the force of his vision of a better way and a greater place for our country. We pray with you sir, that the Almighty Allah grant his gentle soul, eternal place and watch over his family.
"Mr. President sir, even as you take office in this fateful circumstance, we congratulate you. The focus; the commitment and the resourcefulness with which your Excellency has steered the affairs of this country even as the Acting President, fill us with hope and confidence that we have found in you the leadership that we need at this critical point in our history. We pray the Almighty God to guide your every step; to lighten your burden and to strengthen your hands.
"For us as governors of the states of the federation of Nigeria ; we pledge our support and commitment to work with you to give our dear country the leadership she deserves and achieve success in the various critical areas that your excellency has identified," the governor said.
Saraki said, Mr. President requested that the same kind of cooperation be given him, because it is key when the state and the federal are working together harmoniously, definitely Nigerians will benefit and we assured that there will be the commitment on both sides."
Past leaders Alhaji Shehu Shagari, General Yakubu Gowon and Ernest Shonekan during their visit advised the president to "concentrate on electoral reform for credible elections for 2011"
The PDP National Working Committee led by its Chairman, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, told journalists after their visit that it was too early to be discussing about the vice- presidential slot.
"I think is too early, we will flow with President Jonathan. He has declared seven days mourning for President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Let’s respect the dead. After that, we can now talk of the Vice President.
The President has declared seven days of mourning and all the flags in this country are flowing at half mast, we have lost somebody who is dear to us, who has served this country and all Nigerians; we should pray for the repose of his soul. It is only yesterday we buried him and we can’t be talking about anything today, we leave it to the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to handle the matter," PDP chairman said.
When asked on speculations that the current Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF) Mahmud Yayale had been endorsed for the position of Vice President, Ogbulafor said, "I am happy you say they are speculations and we don’t work on speculations."
The 36 states governors in Nigeria have pledge to support the administration of the country’s new President Goodluck Jonathan to sustain the legacy left behind by the late President Umar Yar’adua.
Jonathan who was busy receiving Very Important Personalities (VIP) on his first full day in office after being sworn in on Thursday also pledge to continue with the initiatives of the late Yar’adua.
Governors of the 36 states, former Heads of State and the leadership of his party, the Peoples Democraticv Party (PDP), all came to condole with him over the death of ex-president Umaru Yar’Adua and to pledge their support and loyalty.
The governors said they had confidence in the ability of Jonathan to steer the ship of state, describing him as the leader needed at this critical point in the nation’s history.
The governors described Yar’Adua’s death as a collective loss.
Speaking with newsmen after meeting with the president, the Chairman of Governors’ Forum, Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State, said: "the demise of our late president, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, is a national tragedy; but we know that it is a personal tragedy for you as well. We know that you have not only lost a great boss, but also a true friend and a loving brother. Mr. President, please accept our condolences.
" But even as we mourn, it is with hearts full of faith and submission to His will, that we approach the Almighty God in this morning after; to turn our collective grief into a positive energy that will serve this country. We believe this is the honour that we all owe to that great son of Nigeria who believed in Nigeria; and who served Nigeria with all the force of his vision of a better way and a greater place for our country. We pray with you sir, that the Almighty Allah grant his gentle soul, eternal place and watch over his family.
"Mr. President sir, even as you take office in this fateful circumstance, we congratulate you. The focus; the commitment and the resourcefulness with which your Excellency has steered the affairs of this country even as the Acting President, fill us with hope and confidence that we have found in you the leadership that we need at this critical point in our history. We pray the Almighty God to guide your every step; to lighten your burden and to strengthen your hands.
"For us as governors of the states of the federation of Nigeria ; we pledge our support and commitment to work with you to give our dear country the leadership she deserves and achieve success in the various critical areas that your excellency has identified," the governor said.
Saraki said, Mr. President requested that the same kind of cooperation be given him, because it is key when the state and the federal are working together harmoniously, definitely Nigerians will benefit and we assured that there will be the commitment on both sides."
Past leaders Alhaji Shehu Shagari, General Yakubu Gowon and Ernest Shonekan during their visit advised the president to "concentrate on electoral reform for credible elections for 2011"
The PDP National Working Committee led by its Chairman, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, told journalists after their visit that it was too early to be discussing about the vice- presidential slot.
"I think is too early, we will flow with President Jonathan. He has declared seven days mourning for President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Let’s respect the dead. After that, we can now talk of the Vice President.
The President has declared seven days of mourning and all the flags in this country are flowing at half mast, we have lost somebody who is dear to us, who has served this country and all Nigerians; we should pray for the repose of his soul. It is only yesterday we buried him and we can’t be talking about anything today, we leave it to the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to handle the matter," PDP chairman said.
When asked on speculations that the current Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF) Mahmud Yayale had been endorsed for the position of Vice President, Ogbulafor said, "I am happy you say they are speculations and we don’t work on speculations."
