Jonathan shuns Commonwealth meeting for governorship election

President goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday said he abandoned the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka to campaign for the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Mr. Tony Nwoye, in the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State.

Jonathan while campaigning in Onitsha said, “I had to cancel my trip to attend the CHOGM to be at this rally,” to underscore the importance he attached to the election and the “need to push Anambra State forward.”

 Jonathan apologised for the absence of  the Vice-President Namadi Sambo, who could not come because “two of us cannot be at the same place at the same time in case something happens.”

Meanwhile, the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting failed to hold on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

No official reason was given for the cancellation of the meeting where President Goodluck Jonathan, ministers and other presidential aides discuss national issues and award contracts.

Our correspondent however learnt that the meeting was cancelled because of the campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Anambra State, Tony Nwoye, which the President attended in Onitsha.

A few ministers and presidential aides, who did not receive the notice of the cancellation beforehand, were seen rushing into the Council Chambers venue of the meeting ahead of the 10am kick- off time before they were informed of the development.