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Nigeria's ruling party launches presidential campaign

Xinhua, January 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Nigeria's ruling Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) kicked off a nationwide presidential campaign at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos, the country's economic hub on Thursday ahead of the February election.

Thousands of party members from the 36 states and Abuja, the Nigerian capital city, were present at the rally.

Banners of the party's candidates for various elective positions adorned the venue of the campaign. Some party supporters from across the country displayed their cultural heritage to the admiration of the crowd.

Tunji Shelle, chairman of PDP Lagos State branch, said the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan's administration should be allowed to continue.

He said Jonathan, despite security challenges being faced by the nation, has performed well in all sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The Nigerian ruling party had ratified the choice of Jonathan as its presidential candidate in the election at a well-attended national convention of the political group in Abuja.

Jonathan's major challenger in the presidential election, Muhammad Buhari, of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) party, had earlier this week kicked off his election campaign in the southern city of Port Harcourt, Nigeria's oil hub and capital of the oil-rich Rivers State.

Among those in attendance were Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President, David Mark, the party's National Chairman Adamu Mu'Azu, PDP governors led by the chairman of its governors' forum, Godwill Akpabio.

Nollywood players such as veteran singer Onyeka Onwenu, Segun Arinze and Joseph Benjamin were also on hand to add color to the occasion. Endi