Declare Now, Amaechi Tells Jonathan …Ex-Militants Move To Abuja To protect Jonathan

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru (left) chatting with former Deputy Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Chibudum Nwuche, (right), while Royal Father of the Day, Chief E. K. Clark, watches, during the inaugural ceremonies of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) at the Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt, yesterday. Photo: Obinna Prince Dele

President Goodluck Jonathan has been urged to declare his intention for the 2011 Presidential elections. The latest call came from Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

Speaking yesterday during the inauguration of the newly elected executive council of the Ijaw Youth Council at the Alfred Diete Spiff Sports Complex, Port Harcourt, Governor Amaechi called on all Nigerians to support Dr. Goodluck Jonathan if he should declare to run as president in the forthcoming general elections.

Describing Dr. Jonathan as the best Presidential material the country has for now, Rt. Hon. Amaechi, represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru particularly urged the northerners to support the South-South in its effort in ensuring that Dr. Jonathan becomes President in 2011 as the South-South had always supported the north since 1963 for the Presidency of the country.

Regretting that the genuine struggle of the Ijaw people for resource control, justice, fairness and development of the Niger Delta region by the federal government was hijacked by criminal elements, he charged the people to clean up the name of the region from criminality, challenging Ijaw Youth Council to issue a statement that “we are not part of the kidnapping and armed robbery activities taking place in the region”. He warned warning the criminals to stop hiding under the genuine struggle of the people to do evil.

Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, The Amanyanabo of Twon Brass and first Governor of Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Diete Spiff, represented by Chief I. J. O. Okonny disclosed that the Ijaw nation started the struggle that earned Nigeria her political independence, but lamented that the region had not gotten its fair share of the reward of its resources, calling on all stakeholders in the country to support Dr. Jonathan’s presidency.

In his speech, the royal father of the day, Chief Edwin Clark explained that power is better achieved through the use of dialogue instead of confrontation, stating that the free and fair election of Ijaw Youth Council was an indication that Nigeria’s 2011 elections would also be free and fair and that the idea of zoning was only used by PDP to appease the Yorubas because of the injustice of scuttling the June 12, 1993 elections won by Chief M.K.O. Abiola.

In his address, the new president of the Ijaw Youth Council, Mr. Miabiye Kuromiema said that the struggle of the Ijaws for resource control and fairness had engendered much misrepresentation, calling on all Nigerians to join forces with President Jonathan to build a virile nation.

Other dignitaries at the occasion include: Mr Braeyi Ekiye, Special Adviser to the President on Parastatals, Prince Chibudom Nwuche, Former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, His Royal Majesty, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, Amanyanabo of Opobo, Dr. Atuboyebia Obianeme, President, Ijaw National Congress (INC), Mr Oronto Douglas, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Documentation and Strategy, Mrs Ibim Seminatari, Commissioner for Information and Communications, among others.

Meanwhile, ex-militants in the Niger Delta region have resolved to shift base to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in order to protect President Goodluck Jonathan from any opposition over his presidential ambition in the 2011 elections.

Spearheading the relocation plans, The Tide On Sunday gathered, are the former sector commander, Movement For Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Comrade Ebikabowei Victor-Ben, a.k.a. Boyloaf and Comrade Eris Paul, a.k.a Ogunboss.

Unfolding the plans, Paul said the movement to Abuja should not be perceived as a threat, but to be close to other youths of Northern extraction and to the president at this time of change.

“We are not going to Abuja to cause trouble, but we have observed that the president is under threat and held hostage by some northern cabals. We want to see for ourselves.

“We want to know why the Northern elders have the right to threaten the President on the issue of zoning and presidency in 2011.

“Nigerians must learn to fight these mistakes from the Northerners and allow them to accept fault and overlook the excuses of zoning by selfish leaders, while also remembering the blessings of hope that comes from Jonathan.

I believe that only our imagination in this country can place a limitation on our future. David defeated Goliath in the bible, not with his power but with God.

“So, we don’t rely on threats of some Northern elements that have inflicted injuries on Nigerians. If it were the doing of man, Jonathan wouldn’t have been there. We need no prophet to tell us that he will win,” he said.