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THE New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has adopted President Goodluck Jonathan as the party's presidential candidate for the 2011 election at its national convention held in Lagos.
Also, the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, yesterday met delegates from Niger, Kogi and Kwara states over his presidential ambition.
The ANPP also presented its candidates for the 2011 general elections across the country.
The convention, which took place at the party's secretariat in Apapa, Lagos had all the candidates and party supporters in attendance.
The candidates that were presented to the party's delegates included governorship, National Assembly and House of Assembly nationwide.
Presenting the candidates, the NNPP national Chairman, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam explained that the party would not be fielding candidates for the Presidential elections.
"Unlike in 2007, the NNPP will not be fielding candidates for the presidential slot in the 2011 polls because it is supporting the Goodluck Jonathan/ Sambo ticket.
"The NNPP is fielding candidates for every other position down to the local council level,'' he said.
According to him, the candidates being presented emerged at the various partys' congresses nationwide.
Atiku held a closed-door meeting with different groups from the three states at different locations in Minna.
It was learnt that the former Vice President had requested a meeting with all Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the House of Assembly and delegates to the national convention from these states and had chosen Niger State as the venue of the meeting because of its proximity to Abuja.
All the lawmakers and delegates from Kogi and Kwara states were said to have been lodged at the Hydro hotel, one of the venues of the meeting while those from Niger later joined their colleagues in the hotel at 10 p.m. after granting audience to Atiku at the state House of Assembly chamber.
Atiku flew into Minna about 5 p.m. and drove straight to the Government House were the state deputy governor, Ahaji Ahmed Ibeto and members of the state executive council were at hand to receive him.
Ibeto told his guests that Niger State was blessed with good leaders and respected elders and would be guided by these people to decide whom to vote for at the convention.
Meanwhile, a document tagged, "150 reasons why 150 million Nigerians should support Dr Jonathan" was presented to the public in Lagos yesterday by The Jonathan Project, an International support group canvassing for the election of Jonathan as the next president of the country.
The National/International coordinator of the group, Mr. George Kerly, while presenting the document that contains some of the sterling qualities and achievements of President Jonathan said the "document is the product of a series of interactions with Nigerians all over the world based on the impressions of millions of Nigerians world over who believe that President Jonathan is the most competent and most experienced material for the office of President in 2011."
Kelly, who was flanked by Mohammed Danjuma and Robinson Sibe said President Jonathan "is a good man with a good heart and with good intentions for Nigeria and Nigerians. He shares the same humility and sense of purpose with his former boss Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua."
He said the objective of The Jonathan Project which was formed in Chicago, USA was not just to find support for Jonathan to win the 2011 presidential election but to build a progressive movement of Nigerians who will encourage and support him to succeed post 2011.
While advising Nigerians not to vote for politicians who just wanted power for the sake of it, Danjuma urged them to vote for somebody who cares for the next generation.
NNPP adopts Jonathan, Atiku meets Niger, Kogi, Kwara delegates (http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35356:nnpp-adopts-jonathan-atiku-meets-niger-kogi-kwara-delegates&catid=1:national&Itemid=559)