Chidi Samuel || The South-East Leaders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) on Monday endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term.
The APC delegation that visited President Buhari in Aso Rock Villa was lead by, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the minister of science and technology and comprised of Imo Stae governor, represented by his deputy, Eze Madumere, all the ministers from the South-east, former governors, members of the national working committee, national executive committee of the APC and all national assembly members.
Onu, the leader of the delegation told newsmen at the end of the visit that President’s Buhari performance so far has made it imperative that seeks re-election.
He said, “The APC leadership in the south-east met on December 31 last year and endorsed the president for a second term.”
“We have come today to reaffirm that and to assure Mr. President that the party is working very hard to win future elections.”
“He was very happy because you can see the caliber of people in this delegation, a very high-powered delegation,” he said.
“The president was very happy that such a delegation thought it fit to visit him.”
Pressed to elaborate on the other details of the meeting, Onu said that the delegation commended the President on his efforts to ensure the development of the region and asked him to name a national asset after the late former vice president, Dr. Alex Ekwueme.
He said, “Oh yes. We first commended the president on the efforts he is making to make sure that there is development in the south-east.
“For example, the major roads that run through the five states, if you take the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road, Enugu-Onitsha-Owerri road, this administration has worked very hard.
“I travelled by road to Port Harcourt on the 12th of this month and I can tell you that very significant improvements have taken place. In the past, it used to be promises, but now it’s action.
“The second Niger Bridge in the past was a promise but now there is action on that very important bridge which is not just for the south-east but for the whole country as a matter of fact.
“We also thanked him because the people of the south-east are very enterprising people, so when you are building a railway network, it is important that all major commercial towns are linked up by rail and also gas distribution. And the president gave direct instructions that this should be done and we are very happy. Is not just good for the south-east is good for the nation.”
“We also thanked the president for the role the federal government is playing under his leadership on the burial of one of our very great sons, former vice-president of this great nation, Dr. Alex Ekwueme,” he said.
“And we told him that the people of the south-east will be happy if a national asset is named after him as a way to show that the nation is also appreciative of his important contributions to nation-building.”