President Goodluck Jonathan said on Thursday that those criticising him as being anti-North were ignorant and seeking cheap political points.
The president who stated this when he received a delegation of PDP leaders from the North West geo-political zone led by former Minister of Defence, Dr Haliru Mohammed, said that it was incorrect for anyone to say that his administration neglected the Northern region in terms of infrastructure and physical development.
The president said that out of the 12 federal universities by his administration, nine were located in the North and were already functioning.
He added that that three additional federal universities recently approved by the administration were also to be cited in three Northern states.
President Jonathan said that because of his interest in liberating the region from crisis occasioned by gross illiteracy, he launched the Almajiri system of education “which is already in operation’’.
“The issue of Almajiri education, if I am against the North would I have encouraged that we work with the governors to provide quite a number of children who are out of school? All these are blackmail, political blackmail,’’ he said.
The president said that the administration had resuscitated and fixed the moribund rail system which cuts across the country and in particular the North.
He said that his government was committed doing more in fixing the rail system across the country to reduce the pressure on the road network.
The president thanked the delegation for the visit which he described as “unique’’ and charged them to work together to protect the interest of the party.
He said that the opposition was heating up the polity with all forms of tactics and lies to discredit the ruling party.
“There is so much noise in the media whether is electronic and newspapers or even social media, sometimes it seems as if the world is coming to an end. Some people call themselves the progressives, they have done that before. Did they change the system?
“Today if you can abuse Jonathan you are a progressive, if you can attack the Federal Government you are progressive, even if nothing is happening in your state you are progressive.
“But just like the Vice President said, PDP is still the number one party and it will continue to be the number one party.
“Yes people may have access to the media and use it robustly to their own advantage or disadvantage. But as long as we are united, which we will do everything possible to keep the party together,’’ he said.
The president advised the delegation against being deceived to leaving the PDP for the opposition party.
He assured that they would continue to work together to strengthen the party to remain the number one choice.
Jonathan said that the transformation agenda of his administration was on course and he would continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.