The Presidency on Wednesday denied the allegations that President Muhammadu Buhari was harassing members of former President, Goodluck Jonathan’s family.
A statement by the Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, reacted to the headline story in a national newspaper of Wednesday, entitled: ‘Buhari’s Govt Harassing my Family, Says Jonathan.’
According to the report, former President Goodluck Jonathan was said to have made the allegation in a new book, “Against The Run of Play”, written by the Chairman of ThisDay Editorial Board, Mr Olusegun Adeniyi.
Jonathan was also reported to have disagreed with the style being used by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in fighting corruption.
The statement reads “We make bold to state unequivocally that President Buhari harasses nobody; he merely allows the law to take its course.
“For the umpteenth time, we say that anybody without a skeleton in his or her cupboard has nothing to fear about the bared fangs of the anti-corruption initiative. Fear belongs only to those who have abused trust while in office.
“Anybody who feels aggrieved is free to approach the courts to seek redress or justice. President Buhari believes in the rule of law and that is why his campaign against corruption is anchored on that plank.
“With regard to President Buhari’s anti-graft style, which the former president deprecates, given the scale of revelations and recoveries so far by the anti-corruption agencies, it is obvious that corruption had an uninhibited course during our recent past.
“In any case, time will give the verdict on whose style of fighting corruption ultimately yielded the most dividends. For now, President Buhari is resolute and single-minded in the fact that his crusade against graft is not targeted at any individual or group.”
Buhari, the statement said, firmly believed that national interest must always be placed above personal interest, no matter who is involved.
Former Military Governor of Kaduna State, Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar has said that the continued detention of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Retired Col. Sambo Dasuki shows that anti-graft war by President Muhammadu Buhari is too selective to destroy the opposition parties.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Col. Umar noted that it was over one year since three law courts, including ECOWAS Court granted bail to Dasuki, but the Federal Government refused to release him, citing “untenable excuse” of grievous nature of his offence, even when the constitution is clear on the issue.
The former military governor also pointed out that decision by the Federal Government to suspend the SGF Mr David Babachir Lawal and the DG NIA Mr Ayodele Oke while they are being investigated without being detained was a welcome development in its war against corruption.
The statement read, “Most fair minded Nigerians are no more impressed and are indeed sceptical with the conduct of this government’s anti-corruption war which appears to be aimed at the neutralization and destruction of the opposition.
“It is over one year since three law courts, including ECOWAS Court granted bail to Col. M.S. Dasuki. The Federal Government has however refused to release him citing the untenable excuse of the grievous nature of his offence. Our extant constitution is quite clear on this issue.
“The Federal Government does not have the power to determine which offence is bailable or whether an accused person is deserving of bail. It should therefore obey courts’ decisions and release Col. Dasuki without any further delay. His unlawful detention, campaign of calumny and pretrial publicity make it impossible for him to receive a fair trial.
“The only explanation one can find for Col. Dasuki’s lengthy detention without trial is that he belongs to the wrong camp. He has also the misfortune of having served as National Security Adviser to the much vilified Nigerian President of Ijaw extraction.
“Colonel Dasuki’s fate is tied to that of his former principal President Goodluck Jonathan; an honourable and patriotic Nigerian who conceded defeat and congratulated the winner of the 2015 Presidential election Gen Muhammadu Buhari even before INEC declared the final results, when he could have held on tenaciously to power as is the norm in many Third World Countries.
“This rare act of statesmanship which pulled the country back from the precipice has been rewarded with utmost disrespect and derision by the APC Federal Government, President Jonathan is the most maligned Nigerian former Head of State. Col. Dasuki is paying dearly for his loyal service to this patriot. All well-meaning Nigerians must speak out against his unfair and unlawful treatment.
“We cannot afford to remain neutral in the face of this monumental injustice. When one Nigerian is unlawfully detained all of us must have the moral consciousness to feel psychologically incarcerated.
“The decision by the Federal Government of Nigeria to suspend the SGF Mr David Babachir Lawal and the DG NIA Mr Ayodele Oke while they are being investigated is a welcome development in its war against corruption.
“It is also remarkable and commendable that the Government has decided not to detain the duo while they are being investigated. This is a welcome departure from the prevailing anti democratic process by which accused persons, particularly from the opposition camp, are unlawfully detained pending the commencement of investigations, or refused bail granted by law courts.
“There is national unanimity in support of the war against corruption which is expected to be non-discriminatory and waged by a meticulous adherence to the rule of law. For the war to be meaningful and sustainable, it must be elevated beyond a President Buhari personal struggle to a national one,” Umar stated.
Niger Delta Youth Coalition for Peace and Progress (NDYCPP) on Sunday expressed grief over the death of Mr Gordon Obua, former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Obua, who hailed from Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa, reportedly died of heart attack on Thursday at the National Hospital, Abuja.
Mr Fred Obua, a family member to the late CSO, confirmed the death on telephone to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Coordinator of NDYCPP, Mr Kenedy West, said that the sudden demise of Obua was a sad loss to the Niger Delta.
“It is a sad one; we lost a very big person in Obua, the former Chief Security Officer to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan; the news of his death has thrown us all into mourning.
“We have always relied on his wealth of experience and hoped that his expertise and knowledge could be deployed in ensuring and preserving peace in the Niger Delta region.
“He was an asset and his untimely death is shocking to us; we pray for the repose of his soul,” West said.
The group condoled with the family of the late CSO, the Ogbia kingdom and the people and government of Bayelsa.
Niger Delta Youth Coalition for Peace and Progress (NDYCPP) on Sunday expressed grief over the death of Mr Gordon Obua, former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Obua, who hailed from Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa, reportedly died of heart attack on Thursday at the National Hospital, Abuja.
Mr Fred Obua, a family member to the late CSO, confirmed the death on telephone to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Coordinator of NDYCPP, Mr Kenedy West, said that the sudden demise of Obua was a sad loss to the Niger Delta.
“It is a sad one; we lost a very big person in Obua, the former Chief Security Officer to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan; the news of his death has thrown us all into mourning.
“We have always relied on his wealth of experience and hoped that his expertise and knowledge could be deployed in ensuring and preserving peace in the Niger Delta region.
“He was an asset and his untimely death is shocking to us; we pray for the repose of his soul,” West said.
The group condoled with the family of the late CSO, the Ogbia kingdom and the people and government of Bayelsa.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had constituted a committee to find a political solution to its leadership crisis.
He told newsmen in Abuja that constitution of the committee was a major outcome of a stakeholders meeting of the party’s members held on Thursday.
Jonathan, who convened the meeting, said that the committee would be chaired by him and had two weeks to submit recommendations for consideration by the stakeholders.
He said that in his absence, the committee would be chaired by former Vice President, Nnamadi Sambo or Sen David Mark.
Jonathan said that PDP leaders believed that various matters of the party before the courts would be resolved in the next few months but that the party would not surrender its powers entirely to the court.
“We will take some steps to make sure that we will keep our people together and work with all the interested parties to see how we can resolve this difference.’’
He listed members of the committee as six from of the Board of Trustees – one per geo-political zone as well as six each from the two groups within the party.
Others members, according to him, are all PDP governors, Deputy President of the Senate, Senate Minority Leader, House of Representatives Minority Leader and Minority Whip.
“We will consult with both groups and take two former governors – one from the North and one from the South; two former ministers, two women, two youths – all will be one from the north and one from the South,’’ he added.
Jonathan expressed optimism that when the committee met, minor issues experienced during the stakeholders meeting would be resolved.
“Be assured that we are determined to restore our party, and to make sure that PDP becomes stronger and stronger. We are determined to ensure that PDP rises again,’’ he said.
Earlier at the opening of the meeting, Jonathan had urged PDP leaders to make personal and general sacrifices to ensure quick resolution of the party’s problems.
He described PDP as a symbol of democracy and said that there was no sacrifice too big for anybody who believed in the party to make.
“As politicians with the zeal to lead our people, we must aspire to higher offices or identify the people we believe have leadership qualities and encourage them to aspire to those positions.
“But one thing is very clear, you cannot, as the polity is configured today, be elected into a higher office on the platform of a weak party.
“We must all, therefore, work to rebuild the PDP and strengthen the party in line with the vision of our founding fathers.’’
He reminded the members that the prolongation of the party’s crisis had cost them so much in election fortunes, in recent times.
“The loss of Edo and Ondo gubernatorial elections is still fresh in our memory.
“It goes without saying that we cannot afford to have a repeat of that in the forthcoming elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states.’’
He, therefore, said that it was high time the members buried their hatchet, suppressed their ego and prepared to make sacrifices in the interest of PDP and the country.
“We must realise that as they say, everybody is nobody without a platform. So, why destroy the platform?’’
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Sen. Walid Jubrin, urged the party leaders to embrace strategies that would regain the party’s lost glory.
“We must be able to bring ourselves together and forget our differences for the sake of the party. We must be ready to do away with selfish interests and ambitions.
“We must also forego blame game and be involved in forecast and formation and never abandoned PDP,” Jubrin said.
In attendance at the meeting was Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, who later walked out, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, PDP Governors, former ministers, BoT members, former governors, among others.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday visited Government House, Port Harcourt.
The Former President was received by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
Also present during the visit were the Chief of Staff to Governor Wike, Engr Emeka Woke; the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Hon Kenneth Kobani and the Edo State PDP Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih.
Jonathan and Governor Wike had a closed door meeting at the Government House, Port Harcourt before the former President left for another engagement at Okrika.
They drew majesty out of travesty with a performance credited as the best finish since debuting in the Paralympic games. After winning eight gold, two silver and two bronze medals at the Rio Paralympics held in Brazil last year, the unsung heroes and heroines had yet to be feted by the government. Five months after, some of the demoralised sportsmen battle with appalling living conditions unfit for champions. HANNAH OJO reports
On display was a stirring visage of triumph deserving of a performance described as ‘terrific and incredible’. With hands popped in the air like a pop star, Kehinde Paul warmed up to the cheering crowd in Rio, donning the green-white-green attire with pride and gusto. Paul won two gold medals at the Rio Olympics, breaking the men’s 65 kg world record in powerlifting.
Paul at Rio Paralympics
The 28-year- old, who suffered polio after an injection at the hospital as a child, had recorded winning streaks since 2009, debuting with a gold medal at a national sporting festival. He has also ranked in medals in the Common Wealth Games, All African games and the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championship held in Doha, Dubai. He was an enigma at Rio, where he broke the world record and set it twice with a 2018 KG and 220KG lift respectively.
Five months later, it was a dispirited Paul who met the reporter at the premises of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. Wading through busy unpaved roads, Paul makes the long trip from Ogijo in Ikorodu to the stadium where he reports for training three times in a week.
[quote font_size=”18″ font_style=”italic” color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#ddbc89″ bcolor=”#dd3333″]I don’t have a car. People believe that as an international athlete, I ought to have my own car and house. When they see me board a BRT bus, they tell me Nigeria is not treating me well. I am used to disregard and discrimination from people owing to my lowly status – Paul[/quote]
In the 2012 Paralympics games held in London where Nigeria placed 22nd overall among 164 participating countries whilst finishing third behind Tunisia and South Africa among African countries, former President Goodluck Jonathan hosted the winning sportsmen to a reception at the State House. Dr Jonathan also announced the conferment of the Member of the Order of Niger (MON) on six of the 2012 Paralympic gold medalists and a cash reward of N5million each.
Five silver medalists were rewarded with N3million each and two bronze medalists were rewarded with N2million; the team officials got N2.5 million each. The reception was like an elixir for the special sports athletes who, four years later, finished 17th place in the world and as number one in Africa at the Rio Paralympics. Other than their camping allowance and winning bonus, the high expectations of being received in the presidential villa has not materialised.
Seeing their fellow sportsmen from other countries post photos of cars and buildings presented by the governments of their countries has cast a bitter pill in the mouth of some of these Nigerian Paralympians, The Nation learnt. Also, the sportsmen are made to contend with the challenge of feeding and catering to their health needs since many of them do not have a steady means of income. Added to this is the fact that some of the equipment in the dimly lit training rooms for power lifters in the National Stadium complex is dilapidated.
However, patriotism still beats in the heart of some like Paul, who said: “If given an opportunity to represent another country, I won’t take it. I like my country despite the fact that they (government) treat us woefully,” he stated, revealing a funny twist of irony.
Verdant of fury
Standing at 1.25 metres height, Lauritta Onye was that special athlete who drew cheers with her acrobatic dance style when she threw an 8.40m distance to win gold in the Rio Paralympics, breaking a world record. Five months after that historic dance of victory, Onye’s spirit has been dampened as a result of an unrewarded effort.
“I am extremely angry with our government,” a bitter Onye retorts when asked to comment on her expectations from the country as a paralympic champion.
“How can I work for my country and I got no reward?” she said in askance. “I don’t have a car. I am even ashamed of myself when I walk on the street,” she lamented.
[/quote]
For the 33-year- old Onye who started sports in 2008, hers is a sporting career decorated with laurels with no substance in material wealth to attest to her status as an international champion. At the Paralympics, she did not only throw an 8.40m shotput which won a gold medal, she broke a world record. Her other medal wins include a silver at the All Africa Games in Maputo in 2011. She also won a gold and silver medal at the African Championship in Tunis, Tunisia, setting a world record distance of 7.59 metres.
Onye won a gold medal at the world championship in Doha, breaking her own record by throwing a distance of 7.72 on her first attempt.
Watch 60 Seconds sorry tale of Nigerian Paralympians
It was reportedly said that the sport lady was unlucky to have missed being rewarded for the feat she achieved in Doha at the world championship because the officials could not submit her name along with those who were forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari when he feted some winning athletes after the championship in 2015. This, no doubt, has added to her verdant of fury against the government.
When the reporter called her on phone recently, it was a sobered Onye who pleaded with the government to do the needful and stop treating special sports athletes like beggars or job seekers.
Her words: “Having to beg the government to host us to a reception is discouraging. We worked for the medals and we are asking Nigeria to show appreciation for what we have done. I have a friend from England who won bronze but the government gave her a big place which she showed on Facebook. I participated in Shot Put. I did not just win gold, I broke records but I have nothing to show for it”.
The Paralympic champion, who has also made a foray into Nollywood, disclosed that she often gets into a situation when she is not able to afford regular meals or secure a means of transportation that can convey her to the stadium for training. Expressing a ray of optimism, however, she said she looks forward to corporate bodies and telecommunications companies giving brand endorsements to special sports athletes who have brought glory to Nigeria.
In a similar fashion, Bose Omolayo, another Paralympian, who broke her own world record and set a new one of 138kg to win a gold medal in the women’s powerlifting event, is also dismayed at the endless waiting for government’s reception.
Omolayo
For the bubbly and friendly middle-aged Bose, who looked like the woman next door with her polished nails and coiffed hair, a life of immobility on a wheelchair makes her a subject of ridicule from Lagos motorists.
“Many times, I am forced to wait for long at the bus stop. Most vehicles would not want to pick someone on the wheelchair because they do not have the patience to place my wheelchair in the boot. I am left to weather the hot sun on regular occasions because I cannot boast of a car of my own even though I am a world champion,” she submitted.
‘We need festivals to survive’
Team Nigeria’s group captain to the 2016 Rio Paralympics, Lucy Ejike, in a phone conversation with the reporter, pleaded with the presidency to call for a reception for the athletes in order to encourage other physically challenged persons nursing ambition to represent Nigeria at international competitions. She also espoused corporate organisations and corporate bodies to sponsor championships and organise competitions that will give opportunities to physically challenged sportsmen.
“It is what we receive that we ingest into our system. One cannot do sports without money; it saps a lot of energy. Also, when you train from January to December without competition, it makes the sportsmen to be discouraged, especially the new ones,” she added.
Corroborating her assertion is Feyisatan Are, a prominent coach who was trained and led many Nigerian special athletes to great wins in an international competition. Coach Are disclosed that he often leaves his abode at Ikorodu by 3:30 a.m to be at the stadium by 5:30 a.m. in order to finish training by 10:30 a.m., to enable the special sports champions go search for their daily bread.
Mr Are, who disclosed that many of the Paralympians often had to start their personal training before government sponsored camps are opened, described the task as daunting.
“We manage the little resources among ourselves. If I have money, I give it to them because you cannot get the best out of a sportsman when he has not eaten. Again, the postponement of festivals is discouraging many of them because we rely on competitions to get money”.
Mr Cosmos Okoli, a former head of the Special Sports Federation of Nigeria and president of Mobility Aids and Appliances Research and Development (MAARDEC), an NGO which provides physically challenged Nigerians with mobility aids, charged the Federal Government to invest more in the result-yielding sports.
Okoli
“Special sports athletes are giving us medals and therefore, we should invest more where we are getting results. The Nigerian government should fund disabled sports better by ensuring sports facilities are accessible to them.”
In the midst of receding government revenue, he conceded that although corporate bodies can play vital roles, it behoves the government to create an enabling environment for corporate bodies to thrive.
[quote font_size=”18″ font_style=”italic” color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#ddbc89″ bcolor=”#dd3333″]“When I was the president of the special sports body, I convinced an uncle of mine to sponsor athletes. After he spent so much money on the game, tax officials went after him and doubled his tax. Rather than encourage him for sponsoring sports, they discouraged him with higher taxes. These are some of the things working against corporate organisations investing in sports. Apart from publicity and mileage, these organisations should also be able to get preferential treatment or incentives from government”, the Ashoka fellow stated.[/quote]
Forward thinking CSR to the rescue
Can forward thinking Corporate Social Responsibility fill a gap in special sports where the government is not forthcoming? The response appears in the affirmative. Whilst it is true that Nigeria’s showing at the Olympics has not been anything less than dismal since the past two decades, special sports athletes, however, have been a redeeming factor, saving the face of the country when abled sportsmen fail to bring home medals.
More often, government and corporate bodies have supported crowd-pleasing sports like football, leaving special sportsmen with little or no encouragement. Findings by The Nation revealed that those who made it to represent Nigeria at international competitions only do some with their own determination and patriotism. Also, the condition of training appears not to favour many of them who are left at the mercy of their local coaches who are not placed on salary by the government.
Hannah Babalola, a Rio Paralympian who is an African record holder in wheelchair racing, in a chat with The Nation, testified to the validity of forward thinking CSR, having benefited from a Union Bank deal which offered support to those who went to the Olympics.
“Union Bank did what no organisation has ever done. They sponsored the whole athletes going for the Olympics with the sum of N250, 000 each. I was picked as an ambassador from the special sports athletes and my photo was displayed on their banner. If two or three corporate organisations can do what Union Bank did, I think Nigeria will be able to pick more medals in the Olympics. It is unfortunate that Nigeria is not winning more medals at the moment since we are putting all the works on government”, she opined.
As things stand, the special athletes are awaiting members of the House of Representatives who promised to donate N50,000 each as a way of appreciating the Paralympians who made Nigeria proud at the Rio games. Until then, the sad shadow casting a spell on the patriotism of these uncelebrated sports heroes and heroines may linger.
A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr Victor Akande on Sunday lauded former President Goodluck Jonathan over his reconciliatory steps to resolve leadership crisis rocking PDP.
Akande, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Ojo Constituency, I told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that such step had been long expected.
The lawmaker had on Dec. 11, 2016 called on the former President to take leadership position in the party to stem crisis rocking the party.
Jonathan had on Tuesday met PDP governors in continuation of the mediation efforts and peace talk and had also met with key leaders of the party.
The ex-President has also met with the Chairman, Board Of Trustees (BOT) of PDP, Sen. Walid Jibrin,
the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu.
He also met with Sen. Ali Modu-Sheriff and Sen. Ahmed Makarfi in the effort to carry all the organs of the party along.
Akande described the on-going consultations toward resolving the issues in the PDP as “best solution” not only for the party but also for the good of the masses.
He said the masses expected vibrant opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“One would have thought that after the Appeal Court verdict, the crisis would have ended.
‘’This is going by the statements made by both warring factions to abide by whatever verdict that would emanate from the appellate court.
“But, I can’t imagine that our leaders would continue after the judgement, I think Jonathan’s intervention is apt and timely to save the party from another defeat in 2019.
“We want warring leaders to consider the followers at the grassroots who still have the love of the party at heart.
“They should stop being selfish, after appeal verdict they should have gone on dialogue. There is no way the matter will be settled in court.
“If we wait for Supreme Court verdict, it will be very late to save PDP.
‘’We thank President Jonathan for this political solution. I am happy he heeded our call,” Akande said.
Akande, also a legal practitioner, said the warring national leaders did not consider the followers by allowing the crisis to linger this far.
“Any PDP leader that claims to love the party will toe the line of peace. We should go for truce and no longer court.
“If our leaders have the interest of the party at heart, they should look forward to resolving crisis. Everyone should sit down and discuss.
“People love this party and many want to come, let internal wrangling end.
“Jonathan should ensure that not in his own time after he left office, PDP goes into extinction, he should find the lasting solution to the party’s problems, he can do it.”
The lawmaker, who noted that the crisis had been affecting him, said he was still studying happenings in the party before he would decide what to do.
Akande, who called on Sheriff and Makarfi to douse tension, also urged Jonathan to continue on this path of inclusive dialogue until the internal dispute was finally resolved.
He also called on all the well-meaning PDP members and stakeholders to sheathe their sword and allow the current reconciliation efforts yield positive results.
NAN reports that PDP is torn between Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff and Sen. Ahmed Makarfi- led fashions laying claim to the leadership of the party.
However, the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt on Feb.17 affirmed Ali Modu Sheriff as the authentic National Chairman of PDP.(NAN)
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday commended leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for their support to ongoing efforts toward resolving the differences in the party.
In a statement Mr Ikechukwu Eze, his Media Adviser, in Abuja, Jonathan urged the party faithful to ignore rumours and false information being peddled as the outcome of ongoing dialogue in the party.
He promised to address the public on the outcome of the consultations at the appropriate time.
He said that there had been media speculations since the meeting between him and the PDP Governors on Tuesday and stated that the speculations were being presented in contradictory perspectives.
“I wish to urge the public and well-meaning PDP members to ignore such misleading conjectures as they are obviously the handiwork of those who do not wish the party well.
Fayose
“They are therefore not happy with the current reconciliation efforts.
“The fact that Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Mr Ayo Fayose, promptly addressed journalists at the end of the meeting, clearly showed that there was no ambiguity in the message.
“He said that an agreement was reached on seeking a political solution in resolving the differences.
“It is obvious that those behind the misleading publications have failed to achieve their aim as I have seamlessly continued with the consultations and reconciliatory meetings,” he said.
Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff and Sen. Ahmed Makarfi
The former president said that since his meeting with the governors, he had also met with other key PDP leaders in line with his resolve to carry all the organs of the party along.
According to him, these leaders included Chairman, Board of Trustee (BoT), Sen. Walid Jibrin, Deputy President of the Senate, Mr Ike Ekweremadu, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff and Sen. Ahmed Makarfi.
Jonathan said that he was determined to continue on the path of inclusive dialogue.
He assured that he would do so by working with the governors, the BoT, National Assembly members and other key stakeholders “until the internal dispute is finally resolved’’.
He urged the public and loyal party members to continue to support the peace process and not to listen to rumours.
Senator Grace Bent, who represented Adamawa South in the Sixth Senate, has said that fielding Jonathan cost the PDP the presidency. Bent said, “Of course, it did. In all fairness, Jonathan should not have had the ticket, especially when you see the need to go by our zoning policy.
“With adherence to our zoning formula, we would have been able to look around for a credible candidate from the northern part of the county, to contest for that office.
“With the way things are going in the party now, I am afraid that the issue of zoning is going to be rubbished. Everybody now wants to give it a shot; Igbos are beginning to agitate for it, the North is insisting that they must do their own second term and there is so much agitation.
“For the executive office, believe me, I am completely for zoning; it is a must that zoning or rotation must be practised for executive office.
“It is compulsory that we must maintain zoning policy and adhere strictly to it, especially when we consider the complexity of our mosaic nature – our multi-ethnic, multi-religious setting. With such, we do not have a choice.
“That was one of the reasons why president Obasanjo insisted that a South-South person should have a shot at the presidency and that is why he and other party people supported Goodluck Jonathan so that the Ijaws can feel that sense of belonging.
“The country belongs to all of us and no particular group can claim its leadership as an exclusive right. No! We must stand by zoning policy always, otherwise, we are going to create unnecessary chaos in the country”.
