By Victor Ahiuma-Young
OIL Industry South- South Business Association, OISSBA, has faulted the unending argument about the propriety of President Jonathan contesting the 2011 elections because of the alleged zoning arrangement especially by the  Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

OISSBA in a statement by its Coordinator,  Arc. Austin  Emuan, argued that beyond any document  signed at a location and time not known to the majority of Nigerians today, the  1999 constitution  clearly prescribes the requisite guidelines and qualifications for the exalted office of the President of the country.

In a statement entitled “Jonathan and 2011, the Constitution is Supreme,”, he said,  “the undying argument about the propriety of President Jonathan contesting the 2011 election or not leaves us again at the nadir of politicking in Nigeria.

Some  have argued the need for the President to respect the gentleman agreement of his party, the  PDP signed in 1998 to rotate the Presidency. We wonder how and why an internal affair of one party out of 53 political parties has become an issue that is dominating national discourse on the road to 2011.”

As professionals who hatch genuine interest of the country, we believe strongly that, beyond any other document which was signed at a location and time not known to the majority of Nigerians today, the Constitution of the country 1999 clearly prescribes the requisite guidelines and qualifications for the exalted office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and we advice anyone who is in doubt to consult the Constitution.”

“We must emphasize the fact that investments and businesses in Nigeria will continue to suffer adversely as long as power brokers continue to engage in this kind unconstitutional machinations that exclude Nigerians from deciding through their votes who becomes the President.

The country’s dream of becoming one of the twenty biggest economies in the world will remain illusory until such a time when sectional and regional considerations in determining leadership positions in Nigeria is consigned to the abyss.

We do not see any obstacle constitutionally on the path of President Jonathan’s ambition in 2011. If he is nursing a desire to contest, then he should go ahead and contest as long as he is able to meet the constitutional requirements.”