By Dapo Akinrefon
Lagos—THE Jonathan\Sambo Campaign Organisation said yesterday in Lagos that it was sure of clinching the 2011 presidential ticket of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the primaries.

The organisation also pledged that Jonathan would reach out to his opponents to ensure a peaceful and prosperous country when the time comes.

Director-General of the Organisation, Senator Dalhatu Tafida, made this known in Lagos when it met with PDP stakeholders as part of sensitisation effort ahead of the primaries.

He said: “Chances of Jonathan getting the PDP ticket are very bright. We have toured the North. We have just finished with the South-West. From what we saw and what we heard, and our own strategy towards the primary election, the chances are high.”

Tafida, however, spurned insinuations that the zoning debate was still causing controversy in the PDP, pointing out that President Jonathan remains the best man for the job.

His siad: “There is no controversy. I am a Northerner. I believe in the North, I believe in Nigeria and I believe that Goodluck Jonathan is the best man for the job.

“Jonathan’s opponents are leaders in their own rights. They are all big people if you want to put it that way.

At a time one of them held the highest office in our land; the other one held the second highest position; the other one a Governor, and another one a held the highest security position in the country, and so on.

“We will reach out to them. Mr. President will also reach out to them. Jonathan’s ticket is God ordained. He never contested an election in this country and now, he is the President.”

We believe that Jonathan is for peace, stability, continuity and development. He has already started to show it.

Since Jonathan took over leadership of this country, he did what has never been done before. He repaired the refineries and that is development for Nigeria.”

While referring to President Jonathan as the candidate for generational shift, he urged all young Nigerians to support his bid.

According to him, “He (Jonathan) is the face of a new Nigeria, he is comparatively a young person, so we can refer to him as a digital person and not an analogue like us. He is a digital president. We are not the only ones looking for this ticket. There are others also seeking for the ticket in our party, but we urge you to support him. Jonathan is reaching out to everyone.”

Besides, he admonished members of the Lagos State chapter of the PDP to sheathe their swords and be united, urging them not to disappoint President Goodluck during the primaries.

Tafida said though, the party in Lagos State has for long be yearning for opportunity to produce the governor that will rule the state, he said such can be achieved if there was unity of purpose among its members .

“I am happy to see the degree of unity in the party , and I will take it up , when we get to Abuja , please don’t disappoint us,” he said.

Prominent members of the party who attended the parlet included: former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, former governor of Lagos, Mrs Kofoworola Bucknor –Akerele, Mrs Dupe Sasore, Dr Yomi Finnih, Chief Lanre Rasak , Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo and Mr Sentonji Koshoedo among others.

In his address, chairman of the Elders’ Committee in the state, Dr Finnih assured the campaign team of their support adding that they have been working hard to ensure the realization of that objective .