The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, on Tuesday expressed optimism that the nation’s democracy would be greatly advanced with the calibre of candidates being paraded by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the National Assembly seats in next month’s general elections.

This came as Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State appealed to his kinsmen in Udi council of Enugu state to maintain their support for the ruling PDP by voting massively for President Goodluck Jonathan and his would-be successor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Also, the ruling party’s House of Representatives candidate for Udi/Ezeagu federal constituency, Dennis Amadi, has pledged to consolidate on the legislative success already recorded in his constituency when he gets to the National Assembly.

He said he would legislate not only for the progress of Nigeria but also for the good and progress of the people of his constituency.

Amadi, who would be going into the lower chamber of the National Assembly for the first time, noted that already Enugu State has produced ranking National Assembly lawmakers that would guide him in the right direction to make legislative assimilation less cumbersome for him.

Speaking at Udi during the state PDP campaign rally on Tuesday, Ekweremadu said he was excited with the calibre of persons gunning for the National Assembly positions across the country, noting that the legislature being an important arm of government cannot afford not to have the best.

“We have very experienced persons returning to the legislature and this is a good omen for our democracy,” he said.

On his part, Governor Chime said he was pleased with the personality that has emerged as the party’s candidate for the state’s governorship, Ugwuanyi, stressing that he would bring his 12-years experience from the legislature to bear in leading the state.

“In four months, I’ll be leaving office and I’m happy that Ugwuanyi who has been with us over the years is going to succeed us,” he said.