The senator representing Rivers South-East
senatorial district in the National Assembly,
Senator Magnus Abe, has said that the
people of the South-South geo-political zone
should not be forced to support the second
term bid of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Abe, who spoke in Port Harcourt, also said
that there was no need to heat up the polity
ahead of 2015 general elections since there
was freedom of association and choice of
who to support under the constitution.
He lashed at those who think that because
President Jonathan wants to contest the
2015 general elections, no other person
from the South-South zone should seek any
other position in a democracy.
He said that the ascendancy of the South-
South zone to the Presidency was as a result
of zoning arrangement and that the people
of the region do not constitute majority in
the country, hence the need not to abuse
the benefits.
He berated those attacking Rivers State
governor and Chairman of Nigeria
Governors’ Forum, NGF, Mr Rotimi Amaechi,
for not supporting the second term
ambition of President Jonathan, saying that
while the President has the constitutional
right to seek for a second term in office,
Amaechi also has the constitutional right to
support whoever he wants.
Senator Abe said: “Those who acknowledge
that the President has a constitutional right
to contest must also acknowledge the
constitutional right of others to support
whoever they want. The constitution is for
everybody.
“The best thing for us to do in this country,
whether North, East, South, West or South-
South, is to allow our politics to be driven
by ideas. Those who feel strongly enough
about something, regardless of where they
come from must be allowed to canvass their
opinions and express their feelings.”
The senator said: “Governor Amaechi
remains a leading light in the country as a
performer under our democracy,” pointing
out that his developmental strides will speak
for him at the appropriate time.”
He said: “Amaechi has already achieved a lot
for Rivers people in different sectors. A
leader with a focus and we will continue to
support him under rain or sun. We must
leave a legacy for the people of the state
through the projects of this government.”