Edwin Clark
Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, the IJaw national leader yesterday affirmed that President Goodluck Jonathan cannot be frustrated from retaining his seat for the second time in 2015, accepting that it’s only the electorates that could decide his fate come 2015.
Clark who declared this while speaking to newsmen immediately after the Official opening of the Southern Leaders Conference in Enugu, said it would be improper for the South to relinquish power to the North in 2015 when Jonathan still meets the criteria to re-contest.
He said since the North were in power for over 38 years and the South had done only 13 years, it was improper to shift power to the North this early again.
He said: “The Constitution provided for two terms. In 1979, Shehu Shagari from the North was president until 1983 when he got his second term but Buhari for reasons best known to them, they thought that at the end of his second ruling he will hand over to Ekwueme or to Akinloye. They then staged a coup and drove him (Shagari) away and imprisoned all the politicians. Who took over? Another Northerner.
“Then Ibrahim Babangida said we have had enough. He took over from Muhammadu Buhari. Babangida handed over to Ernest Shonekan, he didn’t even rule for only three months and Sanni Abacha overthrew Shonekan. Even when MKO Abiola was elected in 1993 he was not allowed to rule even one day. MKO Abiola was driven away and killed – one of the wealthiest men in Africa. Abdulsalami Abubakar also ruled after Abacha died.
“Then Obasanjo came and ruled for eight years and Umaru Yar’Adua was also going to rule for eight years. Why would Jonathan not be allowed to rule for eight years?
“Well, that is not what we have come here to discuss but quote me, the Constitution of Nigeria says a president will contest election for two terms and remain in office for eight years, four years each. Jonathan came in as president because his master (Yar’Adua) died. And somebody has to feel that position and you don’t count that period as if he has contested election. Swearing-in has nothing to do with that provision of the election. Jonathan has every right to re-contest in 2015 to complete his eight years. Nobody can stop him.”
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