GEJ Ignores Commonwealth meeting for gov poll

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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'd to cancel my visit to attend the CHOGM to be only at that rally,” to underscore the value he attached to the election and the “need certainly to push Anambra State forward.”

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

Meanwhile, the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting failed to carry 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 due to the campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Anambra State, Tony Nwoye, that the President attended in Onitsha.

A couple of ministers and presidential aides, who did not get the notice of the cancellation beforehand, were seen rushing in to the Council Chambers venue of the meeting in front of the 10am kick- off time before these were informed of the development.