•Anenih, Clark, Mbu, Imoke, Amaechi, Akpabio, Raji Rasaki: President must run
SOUTH-SOUTH governors, leaders and elders yesterday called on President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to declare his intention to contest the 2011 presidential election, since the people of the six states from the zone have all resolved that he should contest.
They said that there was an urgent need for Jonathan to do so because he has all the qualifications to lead Nigeria beyond 2011, stressing that it was the perfect opportunity for him to contest since no person from the South-South has ever contested the position, even though the zone had always supported Northern candidates in past elections.
Foremost Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark; Chief Anthony Anenih, Chief Matthew Mbu, Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Liyel Imoke (Cross Rivers), Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) and other leaders from the zone, in a communiqué, after deliberations on issues concerning the next presidential election at the South-South Stakeholders Forum, an event organised by South-South governors titled: “Dynamics of the 2011 Presidential Election: The South-South Perspective”, noted that the next step was how to mobilise support from the North, and other zones in the country.
Of all the South-South governors, only Governor Adams Oshiomhole (Edo) was absent, and he was not represented throughout the event. But the immediate past governor of the state, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, was present. Edo delegates protested when the other five governors signed the communiqué. The Edo delegates said they were present, because Osunbor was present, and as such, he should sign the communiqué on behalf of the state.
But, Imoke said that the gathering was more than a PDP affair, stressing that any South-South person present at the event, irrespective of party affiliation, was a signatory to the communiqué.
The document, issued by Prof. Julius Ihonvebere, the chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee, says that the people of the region fully support Jonathan’s resolve to organise a credible election by appointing Prof. Attahiru Jega.
It reads in part: “Accordingly, the Summit hereby unanimously calls on Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to openly declare his interest in the 2011 Presidential Election without further delay, and to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. While assuring President Jonathan of total and undiluted support of the entire South South, the Summit calls on all other geo-political zones, organisations, communities and constituencies to support this quest to deepen, widen and consolidate democracy by supporting Goodluck Jonathan for President...
“The country’s present democracy can only be consolidated, if other zones support the 2011 presidency of Jonathan, who has the backing of the entire South-South people.”
Through the communiqué, the South-South people appreciated the detribalised nature of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua, the electoral reform programme he initiated, as well as the amnesty he granted Niger Delta militants.
Clark said that the silence of South-South had been taken for granted because the people in the region had not been coming together to agree on common issues.
His words: “To discuss the issues affecting our zone. Where are we in the scheme of things in Nigeria? What are our drawbacks? Where do we stand? We should always be together. People have always taken advantage of our silence.
“We are Nigerians; we are not second class citizens. Let us set aside our differences to tackle the issue of zoning. If there was zoning in 1999, there was no zoning in 2003. Obasanjo became President in 2003 not because of zoning. No region can rule without the other. We need the cooperation of others.”
Clark also said that zoning was a way of taking care of injustice and marginalisation against the South-West people, following the annulment of the election of the late Chief M.K.O Abiola.
Anenih urged South-South people to put the past behind them in order to seize the opportunity of Jonathan’s emergence to retain the Presidency in 2011.
He noted that the North has no other option than to support the South-South that has always supported Northern candidates in the past.
Anenih, however, warned that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, may not be able to conduct a free and fair election if the January date for the election remains.
Anenih also said that the South-South would fight for their right with dignity because it is the zone’s turn for the presidency.
“This is our time to unite, work together, plan together, struggle together, and enjoy the benefits of cooperation. We have reasons to be proud of the contributions of the South-South to Nigeria’s development. The zone has over the years made sacrifices, including supreme sacrifices, not only to keep this country together, but also towards its economic development.
“In the political history of Nigeria, the South-South has always been a close ally of the North. We have fought political battles together, contested elections on the same political platform and formed alliances. We have given support to the North when it mattered most. The current situation, therefore, calls for reciprocity and cooperation. Nonetheless, in appealing to the conscience of Nigerians in the prevailing uncommon circumstance, we would claim our right with dignity and determination in the interest of our dear country.
“On the ongoing political debate in our dear country, the South-South must stand and fight for its right along constitutional lines. Our son is today the President of this nation. He is a young, brilliant, courageous and focused man. He needs our support now and when he declares his aspiration to be the PDP presidential candidate in 2011, we must give him our total support. In doing this, we need to seek the support of other zones in a humble and creative manner.
“We would not be combative in our approach. Rather, we need to persuade our Northern brothers and sisters to understand and appreciate that we have made so much sacrifices in the past for the unity of this country; that we have contributed and continue to contribute so much to her development, and therefore, deserve our own turn of the presidency.
“You will notice that I have deliberately left out talking about zoning because the issue has been battered beyond recognition. However, before I conclude this address, I cannot but comment on a matter of urgent national importance, which is the forthcoming election. The proposal to hold election in January 2011 portends danger. If this is done, there can be no guarantee for a free and fair election.”
Others who spoke were Mbu, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa and the former Bayelsa State governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, among others.
Meanwhile, the former military Governor of Lagos and Ogun states, Brigadier-General Raji Rasaki (rtd), and one of the celebrated ‘boys’ of former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), yesterday stormed Ibadan, the Oyo State Secretariat of Goodluck Support Group, pledging his total support for the continued stay of the President beyond 2011.
Rasaki, now a staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, came to the Adamasingba office with party leaders and supporters from Oyo Central Senatorial District and was in the office for over an hour.
Rasaki said that he believed in the ability of the President to chart a new course for the country by improving the infrastructural facilities, particularly power and transportation, and urged all Nigerians to rally round the group to see that the President contests and win next year’s election.
He promised to do all within his power to mobilise people in support of the President and ensure that the PDP wins all the elections in the state.
While receiving the former governor, the coordinator of Goodluck Support Group for the state, Mr. Dare Adeleke, thanked the General for his coming and pledged to continue to work for harmony and peace in the state with a view to having all politicians and non-politicians alike in support of Jonathan and PDP as a party.
In carrying out his task, Adeleke said his committee had embarked on effective scientific campaign and mobilisation that will touch every household in the entire 33 local government areas of the state.
