The Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), on Saturday, held the grand finale of its transformation rally in Abuja, announcing that it has so far gathered over 17 million signatures ‘begging’ President Goodluck Jonathan to run for a second term of four years in office.
Speaking at the Eagle Square venue of the event, Vice President Namadi Sambo, assured the gathering that his boss would soon respond to the popular call.
The “over 17 million signatures so far collected,” he assured, “has not only confirmed the popularity of the president, it has also demonstrated his acceptability across the country.”
Sambo commended the initiative of the group which he said was significant in many respect, stressing that it was a testimony that democracy has taken firm root in the country.
The Vice President also commended the efforts of the group at sensitizing the citizenry of the transformation agenda of the Jonathan-led administration in the areas of agriculture, aviation, security, education, health, power, transportation, trade and investment.
“I assure you that the signatures collected which cut across entire nation will be presented to President and I assure you it will receive adequate response in no distant future,” he stressed.
Also speaking at the rally, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim recalled that TAN held rallies in the six geo- political zones in the country where they collected the over 17 million signatures urging Jonathan to contest the 2015 election.
Anyim who reminded all that TAN was a non-government organisation (NGO), with no funding from government, later led the Vice President to unveil the register of signatures gathered during the rallies in the zone.
In attendance at the Abuja grand finale of the TAN rally on Saturday was former Minister of Defence, Haliru Bello Mohammed, who said the Jonathan administration had performed very well and therefore deserves another term in office. He said people from the North West geo-political zone are urging Jonathan to remain in office in 2015 to continue the good work of his administration. He then pledged the support of the zone to ensure the president’s re-election in 2015.
Other speakers included Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, Cabinet Ministers and top government functionaries, who emphasized the achievements of the Jonathan-led administration while urging him to seek re-election in 2015
Other governors present at the event were: Mukhtar Yero (Kaduna), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Bala Ngilari (Adamawa), and Acting Governor of Taraba State, Umar Garba
Also at the rally were Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekwueremadu; and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihediora.
The Minister present were Bala Mohammed (Federal Capital Territory), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Finance), Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke (Petroleum Resources); Dr. Akinwumi Adesina (Agriculture); Sani Sada (Mines and Steel), Professor Chinedu Nebo (Power); Mohammed Wakil (Minister of State, Power) and Olajumoke Akinjide (Minister of State, FCT).
