A Niger Delta peace broker, Chief Tunde Smooth, has urged northerners not to deprive President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the next presidential to ensure the stability of the country.

Smooth, who made this known while addressing journalists on series of issues that require immediate attention of the Federal Government, said, in the interest of peace, stability and unity of the country, particularly finding a lasting solution to the restiveness in the Niger Delta, Jonathan should be allowed to rule beyond 2011, because the president is much familiar with the problems facing the troubled region.

He condemned the moves by some of the northern leaders  to stop Jonathan from contesting the next presidential election, saying they should have a rethink, otherwise such could lead to disintegration or threat to the corporate existence of the country.