From left: Former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife; First Republic Minister, Chief Mbazulike Amechi; Anglican Bishop, Maxwell Anikwenwa and Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu at the South East Political Summit in Enugu, yesterday. Photo: Hill Ezeugwu

By Tony Edike  & Henry Umoru
ENUGU—SOUTH East geo-political zone, yesterday, unanimously adopted President Goodluck Jonathan as the presidential candidate for 2011 at the South-East Political Summit attended by prominent Igbo leaders and leaders of various groups from the five states in the zone.

They declared that Jonathan’s presidency would not only further the Igbo cause, but bring the much needed development to the South East  region.

This came just as former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has promised that for unity, fairness, justice and progress of the country, he would only serve for one term if he won the election and handover to the South.

Chief convener of the summit, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, who read the communique issued after the event that lasted for five hours, however, said the Jonathan ticket would depend on negotiation that would enable Ndigbo table their expectations.

Mbazulike stated that in consideration of the national quest, Ndigbo would no longer accept to play second fiddle and considered irrelevant in a country where they played leadership roles during the struggle of its independence.

The communique read: “At independence Nigeria was made up of three regions which later became four regions that were further divided into states by military fiat over which Ndigbo had little or no say.

“The North has ruled the country for 33 years, the West 12 years, zoning or no zoning, rotation or not. The old Eastern region, for the sake of equity and justice, shall produce the next president of Nigeria. \

The region that produced over 90 percent of the wealth of the country should for a change, have a prime position in the governance of the country.

“That given the fact that what is now known as Bayelsa State used to be Brass District of Eastern Region, and that the Eastern and Midwestern regions have been marginalized in the presidency of Nigeria. Consequently, the summit has decided to endorse the presidential aspiration of Dr Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan.”

The communique added that Jonathan’s  endorsement “would depend on a successful negotiation of terms and conditions and agreement over other details.”

In his remarks, member, PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, suggested that Igbo leaders should meet with Jonathan to negotiate for the collective interest of the South East zone and personal and selfish interest of individuals.

Iwuanyanwu who declared that Igbos did not want the position of Vice President as the zone was likely to get the presidency depending on the decision of PDP, added:

“When PDP adopted zoning as a party policy, it did not take into consideration that a president may die in office and in the present situation, the party should look at the Nigerian constitution which empowers a Vice President to take over administration of the country in the event of a president’s death.

I will govern for one term, handover to the South, Atiku

Few hours after declaring his interest to contest the 2011 President election, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has promised that for unity, fairness, justice and progress of the country, he would only serve for one term if he won the election and handover to the South.

He said: “I will relinquish power to the South on May 29, 2015 to encourage the unity and progress of Nigeria.”

Atiku noted that the road map to the emancipation and development of the Niger Delta was enshrined in his 2007 policy statement because he assembled and personally commissioned technocrats and experts from the area whose works and recommendations tally with the position of the Niger Delta Technical Committee Report.

Running for one term

Speaking with a political pressure group, Princewell’s Political Associate, PPA, after adopting him as their South-South candidate for the 2011 presidential race, the former Action Congress presidential candidate said: “On the issue of running for only one term in office, it was at the 1994/5 Constitutional Conference moderated by the late General Shehu Yar’Adua.

The Southern delegates brought the principle of zoning/rotation of power between the South and the North was first mentioned and it was accepted by all. So to me, the principle of zoning or rotation of power is sacrosanct and inevitable and abiding on me.”

Atiku who said he was committed to issuing a white paper on the Niger Delta Technical Committee Report if he became the President said: “One other thing that was achieved during the 1994/5 Constitutional Conference was the increase in the derivation principle.

From my checks with CBN, what the Niger Delta States have collected in the past ten years exceeds what the entire country has collected for the past 40 years.

“What I intend doing is to ensure respect for fiscal responsibility through which funds made available to States are judiciously used for the development of the States.

“On the creation of Oil Producing Commissions, to me that is a good idea but I will prefer to set-up an ombudsman which will be more effective and better to monitor so as to ensure that the revenues derived from oil are used to develop the communities that produce the oil.

“This will require amendments, but I will send a bill to the National Assembly on this as the best option that will enhance development of the region. States can not be told what to do but they can only be encouraged.

“I am happy that I have been adopted as your South-South candidate so I am a son of the region, but be rest assured that after due consultation with the various interests in Nigeria the best for our people in the region will be implemented.

I have lived most of my life in the region and my businesses run by the Niger Delta people within the region are there for all to see. The region shall be well protected during my administration.

“On religious conflict the truth is that we must stop it wherever it exists. One way to do so is to demonstrate that there are consequences for such actions. That does not appear to be the case at present. That will change.

However I must say that many times what appears to be religious conflict is more social in nature and can be linked directly to the poverty we talked about earlier.

“This can only be achieved by addressing the social issues and this is what I will seek to do. Having a desire to improve the lives of the poor in itself does not make it happen.

Leaders need the capacity to do so. I believe I am your man. Just as I have contributed to making people politically, I have also done so commercially and educationally.

I can make Nigeria a better place; I just pray that I am given a chance to.”
Earlier, the PPA Secretary General, Osima Ginah, after adopting Atiku as their presidential candidate presented six major demands on the presidency of Atiku Abubakar on behalf of the South- South region.

These included, that  “Atiku Abubakar on assumption of office come May 29, 2011 should, within one month issue a white paper on the recommendations and findings of the Ledum Mitee led Niger Delta Technical Committee Report and take reasonable steps in implementing it as the future of Niger Delta rested on the implementation of that road map towards justifying the wrongs and wickedness the people have suffered in the hands of past administrations in the country.