By Samuel Oyadongha
Ex-militant leaders in Bayelsa State have called on the elders and people of the coastal communities to support the candidature of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Eris Paul, popularly called ‘Commander’ Ogunboss in the  communities of Ijaw, in Bayalsa State, who spoke at a meeting with elders and youths of over 12 communities from the area at Peremabiri, said the support for President Goodluck and Governor Timipre Sylva would translate to development and progress of the area.

Ogunboss said though they were not politicians, the former militant leaders have come to understand the intrigues and politics involved in elections and associated development dividends.

He noted that the case of coastal communities, particularly the Bomo clan, was more delicate due to the past years of communal crises.

He said, “Today, through hard work and renewed need for peace, we have acquired a new atmosphere of peace, and only sustained by the present administration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and the national level.

“In spite of the initial cry over political rights during the last internal processes of the different political parties, there was never violence or killings as witnessed in the dark years.

“That is the reward of peace from a concerned administration. For us as a people, when we look inward and review the benefits of the existing peace and the proposed infrastructural and human development initiatives of the PDP administration for our communities under the clan, I will make it urgent and a clarion call on the people of the Bomo clan not to waste their precious time dreaming of aligning with other political parties.

“PDP should be like a concerned friend to the people of Bomo clan and they should see beyond the immediate and focus on the expected and affirmed benefits of development to our area.”