Many observers of politics in the country are rather pessimistic about the re-election of president Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. The fear is founded on the argument that His Excellency is yet to live up to expectation.
Apparently sensing the looming danger, leaders from the south-south geo-political zone are working round the clock to ensure Jonathan is re-elected come 2015.
Eminent southerners under the aegis of frontline Ijaw leaders, Chief Edwin Clark, former Edo State governor, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and the current governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Edward Dickson are currently rallying round for Mr. president ahead of the presidential election which is less than three years from now.
As part of efforts to clear the path for President Jonathan’s return in 2015, governor Dickson has not only limited his resources and efforts towards bringing the region together, as a stable and united entity, he has equally being reaching out to prominent leaders across other geo-political zones through courtesy visits.
It was gathered that the campaign, which would hit the public scene in no distant time is expected to take off with the General Assembly of the South South Peoples Assembly (SSPA). This has been billed to hold soon.
Leading the campaign for Jonathan’s retention is the former governor of Edo State and chairman of SSPA, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun Oyegun.
It was learnt that plans had been on ground for over two months now. Confirming the development Oyegun said plans are already in top gears. He said: “That’s not strictly so, but of course we think that a lot of what is going on in the country has not been fair to Jonathan and we think that we too have been part of the problem because we have not stood up enough, both to support him and to guide him. And that’s what we are trying to do a little bit more forcefully now.
“But I have nothing to do with second term. Second term is for an institution and that’s for the PDP. We are not PDP as a group. Individuals are PDP and no other party but we are not as a group. And when President Jonathan makes up his mind whether or not to contest, when the PDP decides whether he will or he will not be their candidate, then things will fall into place.”
Investigations revealed that the decision to use the platform of SSPA to launch President Jonathan’s second term bid was the idea of Chief Clark.
Clarke remained a pillar behind the campaign for a South South president until about two years ago when the Ijaw leader led a faction to split from the main body led by Daar Communications chairman, Chief Raymond Dokpesi.
However, towards attaining a common goal, efforts have been put in place to reconciled the factions and make the group ready forJonathan’s re-electiion.
Oyegun explained thus: “I have been the national chairman for years and we are not just returning; we have always been there. We have been visible; it’s just that there has been internal division as a result of which we have been operating under the canopy of South South leaders and elders’ forum. But now, we decided to return to the name that everybody knows, SSPA brings all groups in the South South together for unity and that process is ongoing but we have always been.”
He however confirmed that several activities have been lined up for the SSPA, including a General Assembly but failed to say for what purpose.
“You just watch out; we are already working and you will see the signs with everyday that passes. We are going to hold a general assembly soon. We will have that within the next two or three months,” he stressed.
Some of the leaders are expected to storm Lagos for a crucial meeting with former governor of the state and national leader of the leading opposition party, (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support.
A close insider in the Bayelsa government house who pleaded anonymity confirmed the intending visit of the southerners to the notable Yoruba leader: “I am aware there is a pending visit to Senator Tinubu but where and for what purpose is what I cannot tell you because I don’t have such details as we speak.
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