The Northern Elders Council (NEC) yesterday threw its weight behind the continuation of the President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo ticket for the 2015 general elections.

The Council at it general assembly held in Kaduna, North-West Nigeria, pledged its full support and commitment to work for the success of the duo.

In a communique issued at the end of the inaugural meeting of the NEC and signed by member of the steering committee, Ambassador Yusuf Mamman, the elders applauded the excellent working relationship between the President and his Vice.

“NEC,” according to the communiqué, “commends and fully supports the visionary and transformational policies of President Goodluck Jonathan. It acknowledge the great socio-economic strides of the Jonathan administration in all sectors – the almajiri schools, girl-childhood education, establishment of universities, agriculture, power reforms, development of physical infrastructure.

“NEC appreciates the tremendous progress in Nigeria’s march towards establishing a stable democratic order and will work alongside all who wish to ensure that the machinations of anti-democratic forces are thwarted.”

The elders were also quick to align themselves with the proposed National Conference by the Federal Government, saying: “NEC supports fully the National Dialogue and the modalities which have been adopted for selecting the delegates.

“NEC expects that the Dialogue will help to strengthen the bond of unity among Nigerians component nationalities and democracy.”

The Kaduna State Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero while declaring open the meeting pleaded with the elders to bury their differences and allow peace to reign in the region and country. His words: “I will like to plead with our elders to please make us enjoy what they did enjoy during their time.

“This meeting of the NEC is not only timely but imperative to stability of our region especially at this crucial moment in the live of our great country.

“As elders it is time for you to bring in development in our country. Our elders must urgently seek ways of reviving the strong bond of unity and brotherhood that use to be the major basis of stability of the region within a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

“The present situation where our people have been divided along ethnic and religion line is not acceptable and inimical to sustainable growth and development.

“We must work together towards finding ways to stem the growing tension in the region as well as in the country. In achieving this, we cannot underestimate the power of dialogue and all aggrieved persons must be allowed to ventilate their opinions on the way forward. This is imperative for us to quickly end the insecurity and growing level of acrimony in our region.”

•Photo shows Sambo and Jonathan.