2011: North Central Speakers endorse Jonathan
By Peter Duru
MAKURDI—Speakers of North Central State Houses of Assemblies have declared their support for the 2011 election bid of President Gookluck Jonathan, insisting that the geo-political zone stands to benefit more in terms of socio-economic development under the Jonathan/Sambo presidency.
Rising from a meeting in Makurdi, the Speakers maintained that their support for the Jonathan/Sambo presidential ticket was predicated on the firm believe that the duo has shown greater commitment to addressing the near total neglect of the geo-political zone by successive governments in the past.
Making a refutal of a publication in a national daily (not Vanguard) with the caption, ‘North Central Lawmakers decline to endorse Jonathan’, Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly Mr. Terseer Tsumba who spoke on behalf of the Speakers of Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi and Plateau states described the report as lacking in truth.
Tsumba acknowledged that there were no categorical statements from the meeting of the aforementioned Speakers which held last week in Makurdi as to their support for President Jonathan or otherwise.
He was however quick to point out that there was a unanimous consensus among the Speakers to support the Jonathan/Sambo ticket on the basis that their respective states would be adequately compensated in terms of socio-economic development.
He pointed out that there were no dissenting views before during and after the meeting, stressing that the Speakers of the four State Houses of Assemblies reached a consensus without any form of coercion.
According to Tsumba, “the meeting x-rayed where we are today, where we ought to be and how we shall get to where we are supposed to be.
“We discussed freely, frankly and with cohesion but not with coercion as insinuated by the newspaper.”
Adding, “We took a general look at the political developments in the country, analyzed presidential and other aspirants in the PDP and resolved on the need for all stakeholders in the zone to work together for the common good of the zone”.
He emphasized, “The common good being to give our unflinching support to Goodluck Jonathan/ Sambo ticket.
The Benue State Speaker cautioned against the deliberate spread of falsehood to create disaffection amongst the people, informed that the Speakers have also lined up series of meetings in the future to enhance and propagate unity in the zone
