Jonathan’s victory, watershed in Nigeria’s historical evolution- Mudiaga-Odje

BY FESTUS AHON
A Warri-based lawyer and facilitator of the Niger Delta Democratic Union, NDDU, Dr. Akpo Mudiaga-Odje, has described the victory of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan at the presidential poll,  as watershed in Nigeria’s historical evolution.

He said the victory was a demonstration of the recognition and support for the ethnic minorities of the country by Nigerians and commended the people for their large turnout and the peaceful manner in which they carried out their civic responsibility in casting their votes during the presidential elections.

Odje, who stated this a chat with newsmen, said “by the overwhelming and diverse votes received by Dr. Jonathan, the Nigerian nation has appreciated the people of the Niger Delta, whose God given resources had been utilized to develop the country,  especially Abuja the Federal Capital Territory.”

According to him, it was the first time a Niger Deltan was being elected as president since the country’s independence on October 1, 1960.

He, meanwhile,condemned the riots in some Northern states against the presidential election results.

He said, “since the first election in Nigeria on December 12, 1958 which brought in Tafawa Balewa and up till the 1983 elections, which brought in Alhaji Shehu Shagari, the people of the Niger Delta at no time embarked on violent protest against all elected Northern presidents.”