By LUCKY OJI

A prominent leader and the incumbent President of Niger Delta Oil and Gas Communities Consultative Forum, NDOGCCF, High Chief Ebikpolade Mark Bou, speaking on behalf of the group, in this interview, maintains that the proposed National Conference will reshape the country and that Nigerians will re-elect President Goodluck Jonathan come 2015, no matter the opposition even within the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

Excerpts:

The National Conference proposed by President Jonathan has received massive commendations from Nigerians, but it seems the opposition parties among other people are against it. How do you see?

To be honest with you, Nigerians are comfortable with the National Conference proposed by President Goodluck Jonathan, because many Nigerians have seen it as an opportunity  to reshape our country.

From the very day the President announced the proposed National Conference, he has been receiving commendations from Nigerians, even some top chieftains of the opposition parties are supporting the positive move.

In life, there is a moment as an individual you would sit down and review how things are going and  plan for the future. Nigeria, as a country, we have come a long way; interestingly, we know our past, where we are today, but we do not know where we are going. Therefore, it is very important to sit down  as one people to decide where we are going. There is nothing bad about that, it is unfortunate that some few persons are self-centred.

I want to commend Nigerians for supporting the National Conference as proposed by President Jonathan and I believe the outcome of the conference will reshape the country.

The 2015 presidential election is approaching, but the opposition parties, particularly the APC, and some members of PDP, that is, the G7 governors and the nPDP seem to be against the re-election of President. Do have any problem with that?

Why should I have problem when I know for sure that it is only God that gives power to any individual. Even the G7 governors didn’t acquire power by themselves; it was God that gave them  power, so why would they ever think they can give power to anybody. I have read the disrespectful statements made by the opposition parties or individuals against President Jonathan and his administration.

Some have suggested that Nigerians should kick out Jonathan in 2015. My problem with such persons is that they have forgotten that Nigerians are human and have conscience, they see what is happening in the country, so you do not need to tell them what to do or who to kick out.

As an individual, you only have one vote, so on the day of the election you go out there and cast your vote for your choice candidate, simple. If you are ignorantly criticising President Jonathan and his administration by telling Nigerians not to vote for President Jonathan in 2015,  you are day-dreaming.

One thing is sure, since Jonathan became President, Nigerians living here and at abroad have been monitoring his activities and his administration, including events happening across the country.

They (Nigerians) have the last say, they have the votes, and it is my belief that since they are satisfied with his performance, they will re-elect him come 2015.

Jonathan’s candidature and re-election in the 2015 presidential election is not negotiable and it is beyond party politics. And I know for sure that members of the nPDP and the G7 governors are coming back to support Jonathan, they do not have any option but to support the President.

Why do you think the nPDP and G7 governors will come back to support the President?

There is an adage that says, “A woman who is jumping from marriage to marriage is always referred to as a new wife, no matter how old she is”. The new here is applicable to the nPDP members and G7 governors. Now they are major stakeholders in PDP, but I can tell you this that as soon as they cross to APC, they would be referred to and treated as new comers and strangers, it is natural.

The opposition says President Jonathan is not fighting corruption in the country as expected. Do you subscribe to that?

My understanding of corruption is dishonest or illegal behaviour or the action of corrupting someone or the state of being morally corrupt. Corruption is not what you see and fight physically; it is a thought that dwells in the heart of every human, whether to do it or not.

The fight against corruption in this country is an individual thing, we must collectively or individually decide to be honest in all our dealings with ourselves and to government and in turn government to the people.

The continued agitation by the people of Niger Delta over poor development of the oil-rich region is still a major concern. As a leader from this region, what exactly do you think is responsible?

The truth is that previous governments were not sincere to the people of the Niger Delta. Despite the fact that the resources of the region sustain the country, all these years there is nothing to show for it, it is quite unfortunate and unacceptable.

Niger Delta has been marginalized and abandoned for too long by the Federal Government.