By Dapo Akinrefon
AS the debate over President Goodluck Jonathan’s political ambition in 2011 gathers momentum, Major General Paul Omu (rtd) has thrown his weight behind the clamour for the President to vie for the number one seat.

In an exclusive interview with Vanguard, which coincided with his 70th birthday, General Omu said those whipping up sentiments over zoning should take a look into the 1999 Constitution, which makes no provision for zoning of the Presidency saying “let us follow the rules of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The former Military Governor of South Eastern State (now Cross River and Akwa Ibom States) argued that zoning is undemocratic and breeds the emergence of poor quality candidates and by implication kills the spirit of good governance, adding, “Let the people’s votes speak through credible elections.”

Omu attributed the neglect of the Niger Delta region for over 40 years to lack of political will, corruption and greed on part of those responsible for addressing the problems of the region.

The former military top brass advised those in the helm of affairs, especially the NDDC, the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta to shun corruption and work hard with all sincerity in order to bring about the desired impact in the region, adding that the Federal government on its part should sustain the current political tempo to develop the region.

Apparently referring to the urgency for the development of the region as result of the limitation of oil, he said “oil and gas will not last for ever.”

Besides, he refuted claims of having acquired any oil block, or even tried to explore ways to acquire one saying “I do not have any oil block.  I don’t know how it looks like, or how it operates.”

While commending Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state for the green economy initiatives, he said this will assist in ending gas flaring; restoration of rivers and the renewing of land devastated by oil pollution as a road map for safety and development of the area.