By Emeka Aginam

The Igbo World Assembly (IWA), the global union that represents all Igbo organizations living in the Diaspora has thrown their weight behind President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the 2011 Presidential election should he decide to run.

The Igbo World Assembly (IWA) is the Umbrella Organisation that represents the Apex National Organizations in the various countries in the world and work very closely and recognizes Ohaneze Ndigbo as the mouth piece of Ndigbo world wide.

After a general meeting held with participants from all over the world, IWA issued a statement jointly signed by its Chairman in the United States, Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, Chief Oliver Nwankwor, Secretary General, the Netherlands, and Mr Afamefuna Anawana, Head, Media and Public Relation Institute (U.K) gave a resounding endorsement for President Jonathan to run as the PDP flag bearer in the 2011 election.

While supporting Ohaneze Ndigbo’s position on the zoning of political offices among the six geo-political zones, the group reached a consensus that President Goodluck and his Vice President Namadi Sambo are the most suitable candidates for the presidency should they decide to run. The statement added:

‘’We believe in the incontrovertible position of the Nigerian constitution that gives full rights to President Goodluck Jonathan, above all other considerations, to aspire to the position of president at the 2011 elections, more so as the South-south zone, in spite of its enormous contributions to Nigeria’s gross domestic product, GDP, is yet to produce a President or Head of State in the fifty (50) years of Nigeria’s existence as a sovereign nation.

IWA call on Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to openly declare his interest in the 2011 presidential election without further delay” .

IWA in the statement noted that since Yar’Adua was on a joint ticket with Jonathan, it becomes logical that since the boss was no longer in position to complete the tenure, his deputy should do so.

Accordingly, “IWA reasons that with the death of the former President (Yar’Adua), the co-pilot (Jonathan) who started the long journey with the pilot and knows the terrain very well should continue and complete the journey.

“Having served as the governor of one of the major oil producing states in Nigeria with ample opportunities to enrich himself with ill-gotten wealth, President Jonathan resisted the temptation which is synonymous with success in Nigerian politics, and maintained his high morale standards and tenacious adherence to anti-corruption, fairness, transparency, rule of law and orderliness in Nigeria.

In comparison with other aspiring presidential candidates, President Jonathan looks quite different from what a typical Nigerian politician appears to be.. However, he possesses the skills needed for the next leader of a re-branded Nigeria – top notch education, admirable and rich life experiences as someone who has led the life as an average Nigerian, and a fervent desire to effect positive changes in Nigeria.

President Jonathan has proven that he can work with all the governors in the country regardless of their party affiliations. In other words, he considers himself the president of all Nigerians, not the president of PDP.

Notable accomplishments by President Jonathan in just a few months of his presidency include the stabilization of naira in spite of the current global recession, reduced and affordable price of gas, improved electricity in the entire country, and the on-going aggressive voter registration to ensure a free and fair elections next year.

Most importantly, President Jonathan promised to give Nigerians credible electoral reforms with a free, fair election, which he began by appointing a world-acclaimed social crusader and defender of equity, honesty, and integrity, Professor Attahiru Jega as the country’s new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This is a step in the right direction.

IWA is calling on all Nigerians of all political, social and religious persuasions to put the unity of Nigeria above any one party agenda, and rally around President Jonathan as he embarks on the unenviable job of leading our beloved country, Nigeria.