Baring any last minute changes, President Goodluck Jonathan will not be attending the much-publicized South- South Economic Summit but rather be flying to Yamossoukro, Côte d'Ivoire to attend meeting of Regional African leaders, sources close to the Presidency told Pointblanknews.com.

In his place, the President will be sending the Vice president, Mohammed Namadi Sambo. But Sources within the Vice President office said they are yet to be briefed of any trip to Delta State for the Summit.

“I can almost say for sure that the president will not be attending the South-South Summit because he has an important issue to deal with in Yamossoukro,” a highly placed Presidential source told pointbkanknews.com.

Leaders from the South-South zone are currently mounting what appears to be a last minute effort to have the President change his mind and attend the Summit.

Should President Jonathan insist on not attending the South-South Summit, which has allegedly gulped over N12 Billion, it would further cast a major dent in the event that was primarily organized to discuss economic development in the troubled Niger Delta region.

Already another source hinted that the Deputy Governor of River State would represent Governor Chibuike Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Governors Forum.

The Source who pleaded anonymity said the President, who is from the South-South region is deeply angered by the way and manner the Summit was planned and has decided to keep away.

According to the source, “the President believes that major stake holders in the South-South region were not made part of the summit, they were schemed out or rather ignored. What role will the Oil Companies in that region be playing in the summit, are they part of the summit”? The source quoted the president as saying.

The President according to the source said an economic summit that does not take into consideration major investors in the Niger Delta is like a political jamboree of.

“The President feels it will amount to a political jamboree when stakeholders in the Niger Delta are alienated.”

The source added that “the President believes there are more pressing issues in the region requiring urgent attention instead of summit which would have no direct impact on the lives of the people.”

Is his choice

Political gimmick indeed!!!! na today e start!!!! All na PDP!!!!

^^^Nice one Jona. We talk too much in this country and it's bloody annoying, as if we don't already know what needs to be done. I asked b/4, and i'm asking again, what did the first shindig achieve that they're prepared to spend 12 Billion Naira on another one? Imagine what 12 Billion can achieve on a regional level: you could start the groundwork for a regional rail network with that kind of money.

Please give us your source.

am watching the live telecast of d summit right now, i tink GEJ is right n am totally angered wit d whole shit xcept d speech from wole soyinka. its a stupid political jamboree. they even disgraced us wit continuous power outage. its a shameful n meaninless political jamboree without concrete effect on d region. too much talk talk!

good now you are acting more like a nigerian leader

alj harem: good now you are acting more like a nigerian leader

He's now a good Nigerian leader cos he shunned his people abi? Una get problem.

Watching the summit, I actually think President Jonathan made a smart decision on this one.

Save for Wole Soyinka, the rest of the summit is a nonsensical show of absolute nothingness, pointless chatter and numerous power outage goofs here and there.
Couple that with the fact that this is nothing but overfed men mounting the podium to read crap that will not be implemented, then I fully support the president's decision to shun this idiocy.

If I'm correct, this summit was also held last year. What has it achieved? Nothing!

Didn't watch it. Do you guys have a link?

cantell:
He's now a good Nigerian leader cos he shunned his people abi? Una get problem.

Shun his people ? Who are his people, Nigerians or SS ?

Imagine Obasanjo or yaradua attending Afenifere or arewa meeting during their tenure ? Sir you are the one with the problem here

Yeye report...What is "shun" here that he went to African Regional meeting and was able to attend. They should just admit the whole thing turned a failure.

Who will pay for the huge tax payers funds wasted in publicity in his name? How about the N7.4billion wasted in 10 days to clear hills at the airport in Delta for him? https://www.nairaland.com/911914/delta-govt-votes-7.4bn-demolish

I would not attend such a gathering myself.
Before 'Oyedepo' prophesy come true again.
After 'brother' poison 'brother'!
He should know better!

Good move by Mr President

otokx: Good move by Mr President

Thank you jare my ikwerre brother. At least you are honest