Barely a week after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the timetable for next year’s general elections, a socio-political pressure group, under the platform of Arise Nigeria, Southern Kaduna Chapter, has told President Goodluck Jonathan to contest for a second term.
The group said it reached a conclusion to compel Jonathan to contest after a thorough and fair public opinion poll was carried out in the southern part of the state.
The group, which expressed displeasure over public attack on the Jonathan administration, said that Jonathan should not cave in to pressure or cheap blackmail.
Addressing participants during the annual congress of Arise Nigeria held in Kafanchan, Chairman of the group in Kaduna state, Air Commodore John Ajeye (Rtd), explained that beside the opinion poll, the group has carefully monitored political situations and resolved to support Jonathan for the purpose of peace and unity of the country.
The group noted that the president has revolutionised the agricultural sector, empowered the minority, released N14 billion for the dry season and established nine universities in northern Nigeria, hence their decision to make the endorsement.
The group also urged other Northerners to shun selfish interest and allow him to contest 2015 election.
Other speakers at the event alleged that there are tribal and religious alliances being orchestrated by desperate politicians in some parts of the country to take over power from President Jonathan.
They tasked the electorate to carefully study the unfolding events in the polity and not to be deceived by political merchants who are bent to take over power at all costs.
Meanwhile, leaders of the South South under the aegis of the South South Peoples Assembly have also concluded that the president has demonstrated exemplary leadership especially in the convening of a national conference.
The leaders, who spoke on several issues bedeviling the nation’s unity, condemned the politicization of the crisis in Rivers State and urged the people of Rivers to disallow further interferences and bring the situation under control.
They specifically criticized the opposition All Progressives Congress for inflaming the polity through its directive to its members in the National Assembly to block legislative proposals, urging lawmakers to place national issues like insecurity above personal interests.