Allow Jonathan Contest—South South Group Warns
Tejiri Ebikeme
A Niger Delta based group, South South Force Political Movement (SSFPM) has warned the political leaders in the Northern part of the country to allow President Goodluck Jonathan fulfill his constitutional right by contesting in 2015 elections of face the consequences.
President Goodluck Jonathan
The group noted that peace was cheap while war was costly and devastating and therefore advised the northern political leaders to stop instigating insecurity, including Boko Haram menace, to frustrate the re-election bid of the President Jonathan.
National Paton of SSFPM, Mr. Eromafuru Benson handed down the warning on Sunday night at the inauguration of the leadership of the body in Effurun, Delta State reiterating that the incessant killings and destruction of lives and properties by the insurgents aimed as frustrating the re-election of the President must stop now or it might throw the country into chaos.
He recalled that previous Presidents in the country had their two-terms as enshrined in the constitution and wondered why that of the incumbent President should be different stressing that his emergence from the South South , considered as minority group, should not count against him.
Mr. Benson declared “it is therefore time to call off the killing of innocent citizens and destroying properties for no just cause. The North should without any doubt be grateful to the South South region for their cooperation when Northerners ruled the country as Presidents of the country”.
He disclosed that SSFPM came into being for social justice, equity, good governance and democratic development of Nigeria and would not allow anybody or group to truncate that under the guise of frustrating President Jonathan.
National President of the group, Mr. Samuel Onojighofia explained that SSFPM was formed to play significant role in the re-election of President Jonathan in 2015 adding that Boko Haram and their destructive tendencies could not stop their son from ruling the country for a second term.
He therefore called on northern political class, Emirs, retired Generals and members of Boko Haram to give peace a chance for a peaceful election next year stressing “we have lived together for 54 years and this is not the time to divide just because a southerner is seeking another term in office”.
The Financial Secretary of the group, Mr. Akpos Zokmor called on the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free, fair and rancor free election next year explaining that the body was not saying the President must be returned without election.
