Former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has also reiterated that he has no preferred candidate in the chairmanship election at the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party taking place in Abuja today.
According to a goodwill message he sent to the participants in the convention and signed by the ex-President’s media adviser, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan said he was prepared to work with all the party members that would emerge as its new leaders in the interest of the party and the nation.
The message said further: “As the father of the party, ex-President Jonathan has no preferred candidate for any of the positions, and is prepared to work with all those that will emerge as members of the new NWC, to ensure that the party regains its pride of place in the affairs of the nation.”
The former President also expressed optimism that the convention would produce positive outcomes which would help “the party regains its pride of place in the affairs of the nation.”
The statement reads in part: “The former President is pleased with the dedication and enthusiasm of all party members towards building a strong PDP and wishes all participants successful deliberations as they seek to freely elect members of the National Working Committee, that will lead the party for the next four years.
“Dr. Jonathan is impressed with the level of preparations for the convention, especially with the number of the candidates and the spread and vibrancy of the campaigns, which has established a new paradigm for intra-party elections, in the country.
“As the father of the party, ex-President Jonathan has no preferred candidate for any of the positions, and is prepared to work with all those that will emerge as members of the new NWC, to ensure that the party regains its pride of place in the affairs of the nation.
“Contrary to speculations and permutations by some interest groups, Dr. Jonathan has never discussed or plotted with others against the ambition of any of the candidates as is being falsely reported by those who are adept at spreading negative stories against the immediate past President.
“The former President is therefore optimistic that the convention will produce a positive outcome that will help the PDP consolidate its position as the party with the best democratic ideals in the country.”