Goodluck Jonathan
WorldStage Newsonline-- Ex-militants in the Niger Delta, under the aegis of the Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI), have called on President Goodluck Jonathan to seek re-election in 2015, in spite of the mounting opposition and allegation of poor performance.
The former freedom fighters also warned the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and the leaders of the New Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Kawu Baraje, to desist from their “dissident act.”
The former warlords stated in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital that they would adopt every available lawful means to stop persons fighting against the second term ambition of President Jonathan.
The National President of LPCDI, ‘General’ Reuben Wilson, in company with Henry Binidodogha, Granville Ideye and Ezekiel Akpasibewei, noted that the ‘performing’ President Jonathan must be allowed to continue his good work.
LPCDI leaders said: “As former freedom fighters in the Niger Delta, we are aware that oil production figures have risen appreciably because we accepted the amnesty offer of the administration in which Mr. President was a key player, in his capacity as Vice-President at that time, and now as President.
“Since oil revenues have appreciated, all sections of the country have got some good revenue for their states. Unfortunately, these funds are being used for deadly and selfish political fights that are not in the best interest of the country.
“The gladiators are all out to smear the character and person of Mr. President and ensure that he does not enjoy a re-election in 2015. So that they can take charge and continue to enslave us, as was the case for decades.
“We will not fold our arms and watch a section of the country, which believes that it is their birthright to rule Nigeria, to chase Mr. President out of office. If their argument is that he is not performing, it would have been understood.
“The fight, as it is now, is more about political and selfish interests, rather than that of public good. Otherwise, how do we explain the decision of the Rivers Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, to be more involved in the politics of nurturing a break-away faction of the PDP, just to spite Mr. President and realise his political ambition of becoming a Vice-President.
“Governor Amaechi should have concentrated on development projects in his state, where there are no roads, where he has not been able to fulfil his promises to deliver on power supply to the state, where the mono rail project has been used as a conduit, where the Greater Port Harcourt City project has suffered a still birth, where projects started years back have since been abandoned.
“We will do everything legally possible to ensure that Mr. President wins a re-election in 2015, except he refuses to contest. The North has held onto power for most of Nigeria’s existence as an independent nation.
“It amounts to greed show of bravado to think of taking over power again. If that is what Amaechi is fighting for? Then, he is an enemy of the South and we shall see him as such.”
The ex-militants also vowed to fight for the continued existence of one Nigeria and defend the nation’s democracy, declaring that they would not relent in the fight for the protection and proper use of the nation’s oil revenue.
As the major victims of the negative effects of oil production in Nigeria, they said the Niger Deltans would not allow anybody to rob them of the right to control the resources from their soil.
The former warlords claimed that President Jonathan, in just two years, had proven that he could be trusted with power and that he could deliver on the dividends of democracy to Nigerians, who voted him into power.
LPCDI leaders added: “If only these power mongers can allow him (President Jonathan) to concentrate, Nigerians can be sure that a good man is in office and will give them the good things of life that have eluded them over the years.”
Meanwhile, the Coalition for Militant Action in the Niger Delta (COMA) also noted with great interest, the plot by “a renegade group of Northern leaders” to undermine the Presidency of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
The militant group equally noted with great dismay, the activities of Amaechi, who according to it, in a rabid attempt to discredit and disrespect the Presidency, had suddenly become a pawn in the chessboard of a power hungry and selfish Northern politicians, who it said believed that they were born to rule.
COMA, through its Spokesperson, Alaye Teme, in Port Harcourt, described as unfortunate, a situation whereby the governor of Rivers, a Niger Delta state, would have the temerity to use the resources of the region to undermine a Presidency led by a son of the Niger Delta, saying it was a sacrilege.
It threatened that appropriate measures would be taken in due course, with certain lessons to be taught.
COMA said: “If President Jonathan decides not to seek re-election in 2015, he must as a matter of urgency convoke a Sovereign National Conference (SNC), so that the various nationalities there were forcibly conscripted into the Nigerian state by imperialist Britain, would be given an opportunity to renegotiate their co-existence within the enterprise called Nigeria.
“For decades, the Niger Delta has stayed with Northern Nigeria in its pursuit of political leadership. If the ungrateful power hungry bloc in Northern Nigeria cannot afford to stand with the Niger Delta for four more years, then our people must be allowed to peacefully decide if we would like to remain in this contraption called Nigeria.
“The Niger Delta and its resources have made billionaires of Northern leaders. Northern leaders and their elite own billion dollar businesses, investments and high-yielding oil blocs in the Niger Delta.
“No Niger Deltan has been made a billionaire out of the resources of the North. Not one Niger Deltan owns a billion dollar business in any part of Northern Nigeria. The convocation of SNC must be done in the next 6 months.”
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