Yenagoa- Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa on Monday urged minorities in the country to re-enact the unified support in the 2011 general elections to ensure the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Dickson made the call at the National Summit of Congress for Equity and Congress in Yenagoa.
He said Jonathan’s presidency signified the birth of a new Nigeria where any citizen could aspire to occupy the highest office in the land.
“The emergence of Jonathan from the southern minority was indeed the rediscovery of a new Nigeria, where anyone, irrespective of his origin, can occupy the highest political office in the country.
“We cannot have a country of inequality, we believe in a united Nigeria where everyone is equal and the re-election of Jonathan will further strengthen that stand, we therefore urge you to support him.
“So, I urge each and every one of you to concretise that support by collecting the Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) because when the minorities unite, they become the new majority bloc”, Dickson said.
He stressed that the possession of PVC was critical to the powers of the electorate.
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“Your electoral rights to vote can only be exercised by the use of the PVC and for us in Bayelsa, we have achieved 85 per cent and we hope to hit 100 per cent before Feb. 14.
Sen. Ameh Ebute, National Chairman of the congress, stated that the group was formed in 2010 for the promotion of identity and unity of ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.
Ebute, former President of Senate, said the congress drew membership from the minorities in the South and Middle Belt and enjoyed support from all parts of the country.
He said the group supported the candidature of President Jonathan and spear headed his electioneering in the middle belt states in 2011.
“As a product of our hard work, Jonathan was marvelous in his performance in Adamawa, Benue, Plateau and Niger by securing votes required by the constitution to avoid a re-run”, Ameh said.
Dr Femi Okurounmu, Chairman of Presidential Advisory Committee on National Conference, pledged the support of progressives in the South West to Jonathan’s re-election.
Chief Edwin Clark, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the congress, said Jonathan had become a symbol of minority struggle and victory and epitomised quest for identity, self assertiveness and dignity.
Clark added that the minorities had worked for integration, stability and economic prosperity and development of the nation.
He, therefore, said the re-election of the President was in the interest of the minorities and the nation at large.
Also present was Dr Chkwuemeka Ezeife, former Governor of Anambra among others gave goodwill messages at the summit. (NAN)
