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Nigerian political party adopts Jonathan as presidential candidate

Xinhua, January 11, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) has adopted incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the Feb. 14 polls.

The adoption was announced at its first National Convention to elect new officers, which was held in Lagos, the nation's economic hub on Friday.

Frederick Fasehun, the party's National Chairman, said the UPN was a new party and needed time to take roots in all parts of the country.

"We are still a young party and that is why we are not fielding a presidential candidate," he added.

"We have asked our members who we are to support. We felt their pulse and it was moving in a particular direction," the chairman said.

Fasehun told his audience that allowing President Jonathan to continue in office for another four-year term will allow for the maturation of his infrastructural and socioeconomic programs.

"The national convention hereby resolves that all UPN structures and members nationwide will work for Jonathan," he said.

According to him, the party will devote its energy to playing a people-driven politics, ignite the confidence of citizens and uphold the sanctity of the general elections.

Nigeria's former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress will run against incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan in February's polls and eight others. Endi