The National Working Committee (NWC) of Labour Party has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for presidency in the March 28 presidential poll.

National Chairman of the party, Mr Abdulkadri Salam, who made this declaration, during its National Executive Meeting, held at Premier Hotel, on Wednesday, in Ibadan.

He explained that the Labour Party had resolved to support Jonathan after considering candidates of the two major parties,

Salam further explained that going by the youthful age that is in the majority in the country, the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari is too old to rule the country.

While kicking against the use of card readers for this year’s general elections, the party said the nation is not ready for this technology now, adding that during the Osun and Ekiti elections, Prof. Jega categorically state that the card reader cannot be used for very sensitive elections like that of Osun and Ekiti.

“In our own view of election sensitivity, the presidential election is more sensitive and crucial that we cannot do anything capable of causing confusion should not be used,” he said.

The party declared that it would not support further postponement of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

On the deployment of soldiers during the general election, Salam said it was a welcome development, owing to the ongoing security challenges in the country.

“I want to state emphatically, that the use of deployment of military personnel to provide security at 2015 polls cannot be over-emphasised, we are in a state of war, considering the security challenges facing the nation now.”

“It is now important and fundamental that the military be deployed to ensure peaceful elections and protection of lives of electoral officials and party agents during election. The presence of the security personnel at strategic locations on election day would curtailed the issue of rigging and snatching of electoral materials,” he said.

•Photo shows Alao-Akala, Labour Party gubernatorial candidate, Oyo State ((second right) with other party chieftains, during the Ibadan meeting that endorsed President Jonathan.

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