Posted by By JACOB EDI, Abuja on
President Olusegun Obasanjo Wednesday said all those citing ill-health as one of the weaknesses of PDP presidential flagbearer, Governor Umaru Yar'Adua, are themselves sick.
President Olusegun Obasanjo Wednesday said all those citing ill-health as one of the weaknesses of PDP presidential flagbearer, Governor Umaru Yar'Adua, are themselves sick.
Obasanjo spoke just as he announced the constitution of a National Campaign Council to prosecute the Yar'Adua presidential campaign which will be officially flagged-off in Lagos on Saturday.
According to him: "I know all about Umaru's ailment and it disappeared since 2001. It was a miracle. So those calling him a sick man are the ones who are sick. Afterall, only God can tell who will be sick or not. I wonder how somebody can open his mouth and say that a human being created by God is a sick man. Am sure he has proved to those who say he cannot stand stress that all that is not true."
He said the party will support Yar'Adua to not only win a landslide victory in the election but will win with majority and govern well.
Accordingly, the President announced the constitution of a National Council for Reform and Transformation. The new council he said will be next to the National Council of State in terms of importance.
The President who spoke while delivering a closing remark at the end of the PDP retreat for its elected candidates in this year's election called on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to make recommendations to the next National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party to enable it adopt the retreat as a policy for all the states before the election.
Those on the National Campaign Council are President Obasanjo, PDP Chairman, Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT), PDP Presidential flagbearer and his running mate.
Chief Bode George will serve as the Director-General while Ojo Maduekwe will be secretary.
Other members are Femi Otedola, representing the private sector, Adamu Bello (Federal Executive Council), Governors James Ibori and Saminu Turaki representing the South and Northern governors.
The six geo-political zones will be represented by Ahmed Maikarfi (NW), General Marwa (NE), Hajia Amina Ndalolo (NC), Wale Rotimi (SW), Dr. Sam Egwu (SE), and Chief Secundus (SS).
Nkoyo Toyo will represent the Civil society while General Saliu Ibrahim heads the security directorate. Senate president Ken Nnamani will represent the national assembly while John Odey, PDP national publicity secretary and Dora Akunyilli will take charge of publicity and organization respectively.
National secretary Ojo Maduekwe read the retreat's communiqué and called for a commitment to constitutionalism, rule of law, among others.