Two bodies in the Niger Delta region known as Youth for True Democracy and Good Governance and The Voice of Niger Delta, have thrown their weight behind the candidacy of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, come 2015 and his proposed National Conference.
Prince Daniel, National Coordinator, Youth for True Democracy and Good Governance and Comrade Felix George, National President of The Voice of Niger Delta, reiterated the reason to throw their weight behind the president and their backing of the planned National Confab in a chat with journalists, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Speaking earlier, Daniel, former Treasurer of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) explained that the formation of Youth for True Democracy and Good Governance was to help in correcting some of the things that have gone wrong in the country in order to give the people, sense of belonging.
Reacting to the issue of under development of Rivers State by President Jonathan as alleged by Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Prince Daniel described the duo of Mr. President and Amaechi as politicians that know what they are doing , but admitted that there are federal presence in Rivers State as against the claims of Amaechi.
He stated further that they backed the call for a National Conference in order to balance equality and fairness in a country called one Nigeria, adding that the 1999 Constitution was designed by the military to favour the North. On the letter of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to President Jonathan, Prince Daniel blamed some of the things that are happening in the country on the much respect that is been accorded to Generals and politicians in Nigeria, adding that the salary scale of all Nigerians should be like that of teachers, to instill discipline in the land.
He however, urged Rivers people to remember where they are coming from, to always have the development of the region at the back of their minds, feel free to come out for any elective position, but ensure that President Jonathan is returned to Aso Rock, come 2015.
Responding, the President of The Voice of Niger Delta, Comrade Felix George, said that the vision of this organization was to ensure that Niger Delta people got what is due them, now that Jonathan is the country’s President. He stressed that the cold war between Governor Amaechi and Mr. President was an indication that Amaechi does not have the interest of entire Niger Delta people at heart.
Comrade George, went further to state that they have a glassroots mobilization network that cut across all the nooks and crannies of Niger Delta region, to ensure that President Jonathan is re-elected describing Jonathan as a man of good heart, hence the reason for the excessive attacks of Amaechi on him.
He further advised the State Governor, Amaechi not to drag the name of Jonathan into the religious politics between Mr. Isokarari and Sir Peter Odili as one of his political gimmicks to score cheap political point against Mr. President.
George, described All Progressives Congress (APC) Party as a dead organ that will loose more of the states that they are already controlling, after the 2015 elections. ###
By Blaise Elumezie
