The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may have shot itself in the foot by introducing the zoning option in a bid to cater for all sections of the country. A group has threatened to pull out of the party should it insist on the policy which it described as “satanic, unconstitutional and undemocratic.”

The grouse of the group, Coalition for Good Governance, was that the party might use the policy to rob Nigerians of the effective leadership the president, Goodluck Jonathan, had provided by depriving him the presidential ticket for 2011 general elections.

The Director-General of the group, Mr Oliver Ajibo, told Daily Sun in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, that if the party decides to stick to its zoning policy and Jonathan insists on contesting the next presidency, they would pull out all their 37 chapters from PDP and follow Jonathan anywhere he goes:

“We are even afraid that he may choose not to run, knowing the kind of person he is. He may say ‘I don’t want any trouble, let the party have its way so that there would be peace.’ If he does that we will not commit suicide we will support any other candidate that we know can deliver the goods but for now, we don’t see any other person better than he that can take Nigeria to the envisaged height. But if the party denies him the ticket on the basis of zoning, he can contest as an independent candidate and we all will follow him out of PDP”.

Asked whether the former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida or former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari would not be able to take the nation to the promised land, Ajibo, said: “We are not against IBB, but we want him to come and taste the free and fair election that he refused to give to Nigerians. We want him to come out and fail.

“We have seen the light at the end of the tunnel. The time has come to bell the cat. This year is Nigeria’s year of Jubilee and God is about to set us free through Jonathan. The youth, of this country are united in their resolve to reposition this country. We are determined to be in the forefront of the electioneering process that will elect the next leader of this country in 2011.

“The Coalition for Good Governance : The 36+1=1 Forum is a congregation of youths from various walks of life. It is made up of eminent Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones of the country that share the same belief in the workability of this country. We have, therefore, resolved to ensure that the next president that will be elected, no matter the zone, is a person of impeccable qualities, with clear conscience to lead. He will have enough political sagacity to weather the storm of ethnic bickering, and the integrity to accommodate the diverse interests and challenges that the office entails.

“The forum, in its last congress Calabar, Cross River State, assessed the qualities of some of the emerging leaders and emerging aspirants, past and present with the view to ascertain who would provide the right leadership for our dear country, Nigeria.
“Our conclusion afterwards was that given the current political, economic and social situation in the country, and considering those angling for the position of the president, that Jonathan towers above all. We are convinced that he is capable of giving this country the desired political stability, economic progress and social cohesion.”

Jonathan’s antecedent
“We have discovered that the welfare of Nigerians and indeed, the standard of living of the people have improved with the stability of fuel at N65 per litre and the availability of the product. He has set a new and workable framework for economic recovery. He has taken concrete steps to ensure that electricity generation, distribution and transmission is greatly improved by amount of reforms in that sector. Given more time, Nigerians will soon witness an era of uninterrupted electricity supply. We think this greatly leads to a more robust economy for the nation.”

Security of life and property and anti-corruption
With the improved vigour at the implementation of the amnesty programme, the issue of militancy in the Niger Delta and other pockets of insurgence have greatly reduced, thereby giving to Nigerians a sense of hope. If this policy is vigorously sustained, the much-needed peace will be attained. His renewed efforts at checking corruption in the country have been applauded by all and sundry. Stating categorically that the government will not interfere in the activities of the anti-corruption agencies is a demonstration of commitment in this regard We want a sustained campaign against corruption and all negative vices in the country.”
International diplomacy and electoral reform:

“Our wide acceptance by other foreign countries and subsequent visits to the United States of America, France and invitation to the G8 meeting in Canada is a plus for the country. Efforts at re-branding the already battered image of the country should be encouraged.
“The President’s belief and commitment to electoral reform is a major carry-over from the government of the late president. He has pursued this with vigour; in word and in deed. He has shown that he would ensure that Nigerians would vote and their votes counted and be made to count. He has demonstrated this conviction with the appointment of a tested man of integrity, in the person of Prof. Attahiru Jega”.

Verdict:
“After a careful examination of the above, we have come to the conclusion that for now, there can be no better person that will religiously carry out with these programmes except Mr President. It is in the light of the above that the coalition in one accord accepted that he should be encouraged to stay on in office again come 2011.”

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/july/20/national-20-07-2010-006.htm