Jonathan asks northern group to drive development

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday asked the Northern Political Summit Group, also known as G-20, to drive development in the northern part of the country.
Jonathan spoke when members of the group visited the Presidential Villa to congratulate him and Vice-President Namadi Sambo on their victory in the just concluded presidential poll.
In the build-up to the election, the G-20 took up the role of Jonathan’s most visible allies in the North and openly supported his presidential ambition, even when key northern political leaders canvassed the zoning of the office of the president to the north.
However, speaking on Saturday, Jonathan said he would encourage the G-20 to endure, noting that the group organised a Northern Economic Summit, which he attended.
He urged them to drive development in the north, where protests against his election as president have caused violent riots, resulting in the loss of many lives and destruction of properties.
The President noted that the G-20 played an invaluable role in his victory in the poll.
Jonathan also promised to implement the blueprint for development in the North.
Earlier, the leader of the group, Amb. Hassan Adamu, said the G-20 knew from the onset that Jonathan would win the presidential election.
He urged Nigerians to support Jonathan in his quest to transform the country, and prayed for the success of the administration.
Among members of the group present on the occasion were Prof Jerry Gana, Chief Barnabas Gemade, Prof Iya Abubakar, Alhaji Mukhtar Shagari, Senator Jonathan Zwingina, and Senator-elect, Philip Aduda.
By Ihuoma Chiedozie               Courtesy Of: Punch