We’ll reclaim our mandates in 2015, Jonathan tells PDP defectors

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday told defecting members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State that they cannot run away with the party’s mandate, saying their positions will be reclaimed come 2015.

He stated emphatically that the party will not only win at the centre, but the state and local levels in the 2015 general elections.

Jonathan stated this when he hosted a delegation of leaders from Kwara State, led by oil magnate, Bola Shagaya and Lazeez Jimoh, who were on a solidarity visit to the State House, Abuja.

Senator Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), recently following disagreements in the PDP.

Jonathan, who expressed happiness that the elders found time to interface with him at the Presidential Villa,  thanked them for the reception accorded them at Kwara Rally, describing it as the most successful thus far.

‎He commended Kwara people for refusing to be distracted by the programmes deliberately put together by the state government and turning out in their large number at the Unity Rally.

“You spent your personal money in mobilizing our people to get there that day. We remain very grateful and from what we saw that day, I do not think we need a soothsayer to say that Kwara is totally for the PDP.

“Just like the principal secretary said, the taste of the pudding is in the  eating. In 2015, we will know who owns Kwara. And if God gives us the opportunity, which I believe, probably we will even test our strength before 2015, all stolen mandates will return to PDP. And those who think that they can run away  with our mandates they are in for a surprise”, the President said.

Also speaking, Vice President Namadi Sambo, thanked the delegation for supporting Jonathan’s presidency.

He described the unity rally in Kwara as unprecedent and a great one. Assuring that the  stolen Senate seat will be back  and so will the stolen Government House  be back to PDP‎”.

Jimoh, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, ‎said they were in the State House  to thank the President for the solidarity rally, adding, “your presence demonstrated the charisma that has made the PDP in Kwara State to a beautiful bride everyone wants to marry”.