By Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto

Chances of President Goodluck Jonathan winning the March 28 general election received a boost on Friday as the Arewa community in the Southern states under the aegis of Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence in Southern Nigeria, have endorsed his re-election bid.

Speaking with THISDAY in Sokoto Friday, its Zonal Co-ordinator, Alhaji Musa Saidu, said members of the Arewa community in the Southern states were solidly behind Jonathan's candidature and would rally round him to ensure his re-election next month.

He maintained that the Arewa community in the South are living in peace with the people of the South and had no reason not to vote for Jonathan in the forthcoming election.

"We have been living in peace with our brothers in Southern Nigeria for decades.  Therefore, we have decided to show our solidarity and commitment toward the re-election of Jonathan.

"He is committed to the peaceful co-existence of Nigeria and does not discriminate against us since he joined politics and emerged the deputy governor in Bayelsa state and this is one of the reasons why we are supporting him.

"Therefore, we have resolved to ensure the success of Jonathan's second term project because of his support to all our people living in Bayelsa state and other states in the South, especially in issues that are critically affecting our brothers in this region," he said.

He described Jonathan as a good leader who has the interest of the common man at heart and committed to peaceful co-existence among all northerners living in the southern part of the country.

He disclosed that the group had concluded arrangements to organise a solidarity rally in honour of Jonathan  under the leadership of their mentor, the former governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa.

He, therefore, appealed to the people of the North to reciprocate the gesture by voting for Jonathan in the forthcoming polls.”