BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORKFEB 24, 2015

In a remarkable change of tone, ex-militant leaders from the Niger Delta zone who had threatened mayhem if President Goodluck Jonathan was defeated in the forthcoming presidential election, yesterday pleaded with Nigerians to vote to re-elect the incumbent president. They suggested that Mr. Jonathan be returned to office based on what they described as the noticeable achievements of his administration, noting that the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) had waged a campaign of hate against the president.

Speaking as members of the Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiatives (LPCDI), the ex-militant figures stated that, though the media campaign against President Jonathan was filled with hatred and deceit, the Nigerian voters should support the president’s re-election based on the achievements of his administration in the areas of education, power, infrastructural development and security.

The ex-militants issued their new toned-down endorsement of Mr. Jonathan at the end of a meeting presided over by the group’s national coordinator, Reuben Wilson, popularly known as General Pastor Reuben. The meeting was held yesterday in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State. The group called on voters to focus on Mr. Jonathan’s performance instead of the rhetoric of hate against his administration.

Briefing reporters on the outcome of their meeting, Mr. Wilson said, “we resolved to call on Nigerians, particularly eligible voters, to rate the candidates for the presidential election based on performance and eligibility. President Goodluck Jonathan has done well and he should be voted in by Nigerians for [a] second term. They should assess him based on performance and not the region he comes from.”

His tone differed from a previous stance when the group warned that they would not countenance any attempt to vote out the president, with some of their members threatening that they would shut down oil production should the president be defeated.

In their latest softened statement, Mr. Wilson told reporters, “Jonathan has done well. Why are people opposing him? Is it because he comes from the Niger Delta? Would they have shown so much hatred and insincerity if he had come from the northern part of the country? The people of the South-South and the Niger Delta are feeling bad over the rising insults and poor rating in spite of the huge achievement of the present administration. We advised the opposition party and General Buhari to come out [openly] and declare that President Goodluck Jonathan has done well.”

He added: “Nigerians should check the achievements in the areas of security, peace and development. The amnesty program under the capable hands of Honorable Kingsley Kuku has ensured that over 3,000 youths are trained on scholarship and skill acquisition. Aside from showing readiness in the battle against insurgency with the proper procurement of arms and ammunition for the military, President Jonathan has ensured the recovery of over N300 billion of stolen funds and blocked any corrupt loopholes in the system. He has done well also in the area of roads and infrastructures with the judicious use of Sure-P funds.”

The ex-militants accused state governors who defected from the PDP to APC of playing to the gallery without differentiating their achievements in office under the PDP and the APC. “These governors are deceitful. They should tell Nigerians what they have been able to achieve under the APC. They should call their people together and tell them why they should vote for their stooges in the next governorship elections under the APC. All they have achieved in the states under their control was achieved under the PDP,” the group stated.
http://saharareporters.com/2015/02/24/ex-militants-make-u-turn-beg-nigerians-vote-jonathan

Did they realy think they can threaten Nigerians into voting for Jonathan?
These men pose a greater threat to the life of the nation than "Shekau". A serious government should get them arrested rather than associating itself with these terrorists and saboteurs.

I thought they threatened to hold us to ransom.

Better approach guys, some pipz can now reconsider their stance by voting GEJ in the next elections.

Are Tompolo,Boyloaf and Asari Dokubo included in the ex militants who said that? If they are not,then their plea is not acceptable.

Too late anyway,Nigerians have decided.


March4Buhari

Who are the militants? Those dirty nigga that cannot even spell thier names. They may be people feared by Jonathan and some south south governors. We don't give a damn about them. They want to continue collecting money from taking up arm against Nigeria. Well we will see. Jona must go. PDP is the problem Nigeria has for now and should be voted out.
Vote for Buhari. Only corrupt people and bad people are the ones afraid of Buhari. God punish them all. They have destroyed this country. Change my people. Vote out PDP.

those militants need to b locked up for life. either which way, jonagoat is never goin to be president afta 29 May 2015.

but why do people hate dis GEJ too much..is he dat bad?is he still clueless with all the tangible records his administration has achieved?lets really consolidate on this transformation.

pacesetter939:
I thought they threatened to hold us to ransom.

It has finally dawned on them that Jonathan cannot win and that Nigerians are ready for them. As such, they are left with no option than to tone down their empty threat in order for them to get a soft landing when the ships are down.
This latest step is also meant to pacify some powerful enemies which they had unwitily made for themselves and their clueless grand patron (GEJ) who failed to call them to order early enough.

APC first to comment....showing there white ass.....Liars

Na now dem dey get sense?
Anyway, too little too late!

Joanthan must go
PDP is full of thieves and terrorists
Vote GMB 2015
Vote APC

#CHANGE!!!

Its too late for this. GEJ took Nigerians for granted for too long. Too long for his own future and goods.

This is a better approach. Nigerians can get the desired Change through the Goodluck led PDP

Popemax:
APC first to comment....showing there white ass.....Liars

What is untrue about this latest development?

Really!!! I can't just believe the claime that APC waged a campaign of hate against Jonathan with all the popanganda running on AIT, AIT, Newspaper and online against the person the peoples general Buhari.

EdCure:

It has finally dawned on them that Jonathan cannot win and that Nigerians are ready for them. As such, they are left with no option than to tone down their empty threat in order for them to get a soft landing when the ships are down.
This latest step is also meant to pacify some powerful enemies which they had unwitily made for themselves and their clueless grand patron (GEJ) who failed to call them to order early enough.

If they like, let them join Godswill Akpabio to donate funds to Buhari campaign organisations, our stand is for Buhari and the General shall persecute every corrupt individual in Nigeria irrespective of ethnicity, tribe and religion.

I hate this mentality of 'they are ganging up against our son'. Nigeria must not be a single party state.We need a viable opposition like the APC in other to deepen our nascent democracy.
By the way,the 'clueless one' is a calamity any nation should pray against.
#IHAVEDECIDED TO MARCH FOR CHANGE!!!!!!!!

rondo235:
but why do people hate dis GEJ too much..is he dat bad?is he still clueless with all the tangible records his administration has achieved?lets really consolidate on this transformation.

i wonder o. the man is trying. people just hate him for nothing.

Stupidity is when u charge ur phone with generator and still come here and say GEJ till 2019.

berem:
Are Tompolo,Boyloaf and Asari Dokubo included in the ex militants who said that? If they are not,then their plea is not acceptable.

Too late anyway,Nigerians have decided.


March4Buhari

do u represent Nigerians

If u do join us in marching for gej..

barcanista:
This is a better approach. Nigerians can get the desired Change through the Goodluck led PDP

you are right. no need to bring someone whose past stinks.

focus7:
Really!!! I can't just believe the claime that APC waged a campaign of hate against Jonathan with all the popanganda running on AIT, AIT, Newspaper and online against the person the peoples general Buhari.

Don't mind the hypocrites. They love playing the victim card.

gebest:
Stupidity is when u charge ur phone with generator and still come here and say GEJ till 2019.

was there 247 light without interruption when other leaders were leading from independence till date? Even wen buhari was president was there constant light

Reminez:
I hate this mentality of 'they are ganging up against our son'. Nigeria must not be a single party state.We need a viable opposition like the APC in other to deepen our nascent democracy.
By the way,the 'clueless one' is a calamity any nation should pray against.
#IHAVEDECIDED TO MARCH FOR CHANGE!!!!!!!!

change can be negative...


Me am marching for transformation

barcanista:
This is a better approach. Nigerians can get the desired Change through the Goodluck led PDP

transformational change
is the word

atakamus:
Who are the militants? Those dirty nigga that cannot even spell thier names. They may be people feared by Jonathan and some south south governors. We don't give a damn about them. They want to continue collecting money from taking up arm against Nigeria. Well we will see. Jona must go. PDP is the problem Nigeria has for now and should be voted out.
Vote for Buhari. Only corrupt people and bad people are the ones afraid of Buhari. God punish them all. They have destroyed this country. Change my people. Vote out PDP.

come to the north and stay during this election period... And maybe ur perspective about those dat are afraid of buhari will change...

Voting out pdp is just what u wish for write

But wishes are not horses bro

rondo235:
but why do people hate dis GEJ too much..is he dat bad?is he still clueless with all the tangible records his administration has achieved?lets really consolidate on this transformation.

Nobody is hating on GEJ, we just can't stand another 4years of maladministration of the clueless one, that is why we will ask him to retire to otuoke with our votes come March 28.

pacesetter939:

If they like, let them join Godswill Akpabio to donate funds to Buhari campaign organisations, our stand is for Buhari and the General shall prosecute every corrupt individual in Nigeria irrespective of ethnicity, tribe and religion.

@ 1st bolded: you're just kidding, right?

PDP and Jonathanians are in deep shit. They're finally changing tactics to save face but the desperation, arrogance and impunity still rages on.

clevermind i wonder o. the man is trying. people just hate him for nothing..

Trying for encouraging the staeling of public funds by his appointees? And for saying that it is not corruption?
You haven't been priviledged to see or know what a leader could achieve after close to Six years in charge of a vastly blessed country like ours.

Think outside the box. GEJ is a failure, and is empty. A hundred years in Aso Rock cannot change that fact about him, and Nigeria cannot afford to go down the drain with Jonathan for another 4years.

Get off the TANkid bubble and advocate for change while you still can. Simply tell your friends, family & business associates/coleagues to support APC and vote Buhari/Osinbajo.

EzePromoe:
Good news. At least to promote a violence free election. Waiting for Buhari's agents of destruction up north to follow suit.

You'll be waiting for a long time.

APC agents of darkness can't apologize .