By Samuel Oyadongha

Yenagoa – Political leaders in Bayelsa State ,weekend, rallied support for President Goodluck Jonathan with a warning to those involved in the alleged plot to destabilize his administration that the President is not alone as the region supports the present policies of government,  including the proposed single tenure.

The Bayelsa elders and leaders, who met under the aegis of the Democracy Support Project, Nigeria and convened by Chief Ivory Fekoru, said though the battle for the President to ensure the delivery of democracy dividends is a unifying one among democrats in all parts of the nation, those involved in the sponsorship of  terrorist activities and fictitious rating of the present administration should know that the President is not an orphan without a support base.

Prominent indigenes of the state at the meeting, held in Yenagoa and tagged one-day Development Pre-Summit, include Steve Azaiki, former Secretary to the State Government under Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, one time Special Adviser on Political Matters, Chief T.K.O.Okorotie, the former Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Comrade Diepreye Dede, a former Senator and Chairman of the State Reconciliation Committee, Senator John Kodjo Brambaifa, the former Deputy Speaker to the Bayelsa State Assembly, Bright Erewari.

Also in attendance were academics,  including some members of the Governing Council of the Niger Delta University (NDU), Professor Francis Ikoki, Professor Jacob Udonyi, Professor Nelson Brainbaifa, and Professor Sauwu Ighoro.

Also at the meeting was a minority rights activist, Comrade Nengi James and a retired Permanent Secretary, Dr. Macson Amagbe.

Speaking at the event, Chief T.K.O.Okorotie said though the elders in the region have discovered that those trying to pull down the present administration of Goodluck Jonathan were those that vandalized power sharing, “should let them know that the President is not alone and his kinsmen are ready to confront those involved in the plot to destabilized the country.”

“What are their plans, they don’t even know. The policies and plans of Goodluck Jonathan has lots of senses. The issue of single tenure makes sense. When he mooted it, they want to hang him. Some of the people involved in the attack against single tenure are those that don’t even know what it meant. A Bill has not gone to the National Assembly, they are criticizing it. What are they criticizing? They should not criticize out of context.”

Also speaking, Professor Steve Azaiki said the people of the region must make their stand known against the plots against the administration of President Jonathan.

His words, “I believe strongly that those involved should hear our strong positions and justification on why the present administration must succeed.The positive people in the various regions, particularly the Niger Delta must ensure he succeeds.

“The quest to make the Jonathan administration succeed must be seen as a national issue not sectional. It should not be seen as a Goodluck affair but the people. This is the time to act. People want the administration to fail and we should consider it a plot to derail the effort of the people at the polls. This is the time to act and show support for the President.”