- from Bayo Oladeji -
Following the recent endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan to seek reelection in 2015 by his kinsmen, some prominent Nigerians have continued to react angrily.
Prominent Ijaw leaders and south-south elders last week met in Lagos for two days during which they deliberated on the 2015 presidential election and the way forward for the region.
Responding to the position of the south–south, former Kaduna State governor and an elder statesman Alhaji Lawal Kaita critised the stand of the Ijaws, saying: “We hear rumours all over that Jonathan is planning to contest in 2015. Well, the north is going to be prepared if the country remains one. That is, if the country remains one, we are going to fight for it. If not, everybody can go his way.”
In his reaction, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai expressed surprise. “What brought about the endorsement of Jonathan at this material time when the man himself stated that he is not contesting in 2015 and has halted all talks regarding 2015?” he asked.
“This is a premature political strategy since there are more pressing issues facing the president now like Boko Haram, the general security situation in the country and, moreover, Nigerians are still expecting more dividends of democracy from the president.”
The Second Republic presidential adviser said President Jonathan should be allowed to concentrate more on governing the country within this first year of his administration rather than be dragged into issues of election at this early stage.
Also speaking in Kaduna, former military administrator of Kaduna State Col. Hammed Ali said: “The People that endorsed Jonathan are all Ijaw people; they are not the only people that constitute the south-south region, so their claim cannot hold water.
“Who has the strength to clinch power, if not the north? They can say what they want to say, but it remains for Nigerians to decide what they want.
“Of course, they are enjoying power and they have the right to claim anything. They are clamouring for 2015, because they have not tasted power before.
“It is left for the north to decide if they want to wrest power back; it is left for the people to put their own strategy and get their own in power, otherwise the south-south will take it again.”
In his reaction, Senator Mas’ud El-Jibrin Doguwa from Kano State warned against what he referred to as “overheating the polity amidst the security challenges facing the country” and charged the president to be a man of his own words. “The president should toe the path of honour and avoid riding on the sentiment of his kinsmen,” Senator Doguwa said.
No. of Views:762
You people should not course confusion to our President what we are Talking here is National security were our country can attract foreing investors not Tribal or secterant politics. It is time for you to stop All acts of Social Vices. Kidnaping, Terrorism in our oil Industry, robbery in the Land, Intimidation of oil companies in the Region. You people should not forget The Amnesty you are benefitiin Today was Granted to you by Late President Yaradua, and the oil you are proud of was since been found in the Northern region, Maiduguri in the north east, zamfara in the north west, Bauchi, and one other state in the North central. You should equally know that even Niger Republic are even planing to start Exporting there oil , we shall soon start prospecting here in the north. So be yourself.
We need to remain as one country if we go by the statistics of our Total Population in Nigeria How many are you in the south south or in the south east ? If not for the mercy of the North and the West or my self who spend much of my resources for canvassing support for our president what else do you Think will happen to that Ellection? Do u think u can Deliver?.
You people are cowart do you thing you constitute one third of the northern Nigerian population? I would like to remind you that even the so called ndi Igbos and the so called Middle beters that are only known as Retired this or Retired that or Former this or Former that who are only witch hulnting demself can not contribute any Impact in 2015 Presidential election. Enough is Enough.
First, President Goodluck Jonathan’s Niger Delta region made it possible for well over 50 Islamist Northerners to become instant, overnight millionaires and multi-billionaires. And how many such millionaires and billionaires do we have in the Niger Delta? The answer, my friend, is zero. The Northern feudal elite ruled Nigeria (along with their Islamist domains) for over 40 years, but their colossal misrule and ineptitude left the country in shambles. Moral and ethical bankruptcies abound. These are the corrosive elements that have combined to undermine Nigeria’s progress and polity. The rust has now manifested itself in scourges like widespread corruption, Boko Haram’s domestic terrorism, parasitic opulence and its accompanying decadence, decayed infrastructures, decline in academics, etc., etc., ad infinitum. It is also evident in the Islamists’ insistence on regaining power and control of Nigeria;not to bring good governance and further its growth, but to have power solely for the sake of holding power. That’s it. We cannot afford another 40 years of Islamist blunders and moronic approach to running affairs of state in a modern democracy. President Jonathan’s statements or comments about political future plans and ambitions are neither ironclad nor settled promises aimed at signalling a scheduled transfer of power to certain principalities among Nigeria’s Northern Islamist oligarchy. They are no different than common promises politicians make from time to time as they chart their courses through political landscapes. Barring any Constitutional restrictions, President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan has, and reserves the right to seek a second term in office come 2015. The Nigerian people will have to decide whether or not he should or, should not be their choice for President at that time. It shall, therefore, not be the purview of the Islamists to decide who should rule the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Overt and subtle threats of political violence aimed at intimidating the President and other law abiding Nigerians shall be dealt with in due course. Acrimony is welcome. With violence, however, let everyone understand that nobody enjoys a monopoly.
This Ethno-religious & tribal sentimental man called Kaita should short his dirty mouth up!! He should go to hell & sleep in d pit bcos president GEJ would definitely run 4 another 4yrs term till 2019. Then, d S-East wil occupy Aso Rock for 8yrs & handova to d middle Belt for another 8yrs. After dis, d S-South & d S-West wil share another 16yrs term b\4 we consider d core north 4 their demand.
Is Goodluck Jonathan a citizen of Nigeria? Does the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria state how many terms a person may serve as president? If it does, why are our brothers from the North trying to heat up the polity? That Goodluck Jonathan intend to exercise what is his constitutional right to seek for a second term does not by itself re-elect him for another four years term, it is the electorate that has the power to elect him again or elect a new person in 2015.
So, any citizen who wish to contest for presidency in 2015 should start building his or her campaign organization instead of heating-up the polity. As a matter of fact, If President Goodluck Jonathan is not running for president in 2015, I will run. Yes, this onye Igbo will run for the position of Nigerian President to succeed president Goodluck Jonathan.
What will the north do suppose we cede the Presidency to them in 2015? Nothing but same old corruption and looting of Nigeria.
Nigeria is not owned by any one group who have had ample opportunity at leadership positions to improve the lot of their people, and other Nigerians,but failed to do so. Nigeria needs people who will deliver for Nigeria. Now we know how to support the most qualified amongst us to lead our people.We are not going back but moving forward. Its GEJ now. GEJ tomorrow, and any smart person like GEJ forever. God bless Nigeria.
North, North, North always, since the time of your damned clannish Ahmadu. Very boring, very laughable … ashamed my “fellow countrymen” from up North (far, far Sahelian North, that is) are still trapped in this silly time warp. Still, I de laugh oh!!!!
Jonathan should run in 2015 and I hope he wins. The core North need to get used to not running the country. They have a very abysmal record after their years in power. Their record include, massive illiteracy in the North, complete and total infrastructural decay in Nigeria, lack of transparency and accountability and the entrenchment of nepotism and its attendant impunity. Shame on these folks.
North will fight Jonathan? Then South will fight the north when the northerners are in power.”If you Traka me, I will Dabo you”
This people talk on behalf of Muslims, not the entire northern region. Northern Christians will vote for Goodluck as we did in the last election. Goodluck till 2019.
This people talk on behalf of Muslims and not the entire north. Middle beltans will vote for Goodluck as they did in the last general elections.
Kaita n co, u’re always unhappy n fighting since birth. Why don’t u just get a job for once n have d peace n dignity that comes from making ur own money instead of always fighting to control Fed Govt n rob nigerians blind. Gej can have his second term if he desires
No, not if he desires, GEJ will have second term. Power will stay in south for another generation. Saduana and his followers are fraud, always the north and not always Nigeria.