Fumble, face our wrath, Ijaw youths warn Jonathan
From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Tuesday, February 16, 2010


•Jonathan
Photo: Sun Publishing
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The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has warned Acting President Goodluck Jonathan to settle down and address the myriad of problems facing Nigerians or should be ready to face the wrath of Ijaw youths. Speaking exclusively to Daily Sun, the President IYC Worldwide, Dr. Chris Ekiyor said the Ijaw youths would not spare Jonathan if he fails to ensure his tenure leaves loving memories in the minds of Nigerians. He cautioned Jonathan against focusing only on the Niger Delta problem, because he is from region, while disregarding other parts. The IYC boss said the group would not condone that.
Ekiyor insisted that the same way they rallied around Jonathan is the same way they would rise up against him if he fumbles.

His words: “I expect that this is the time to fulfill the great expectations of most Nigerians. I expect Acting President Jonathan to sit down and address the problems of Nigeria. I don’t want to be sentimental about this because he is from Niger Delta, He should focus on Niger Delta? No. He has to tackle the problems of security and infrastructure. Our charge is that we are going to be at loggerheads with him if he does not focus on Nigeria’s problems. I expect that the amnesty programme must be seen to the letter. The power problem must be addressed. Our roads be should be fixed. I also expect a major cabinet shake up. There are some ministers who are square pegs in round holes.

They have to be replaced. Jonathan should do Nigerians a favour, they are craving for a leader regardless of where you come from. They are concerned about the delivery of services. This is why the IYC is telling him that he should not because he is from Ijaw now address Ijaw problems alone. We are saying he should address Nigeria’s problems. We are saying he should make Ijaw proud with his performance because if he doesn’t do that we would be the first to call for his head. As we have supported him for the right thing to be done, we expect him to go the whole hog and perform.

He should address the corruption problem and ensure that Nigerians have a free and fair election in 2011, anything short of that he would have the IYC to contend with.” While defending the resolution of the National Assembly in the face of legal challenges against the decision, Ekiyor explained that since Nigerians can accept the 1999 Constitution which was foisted on the people, there should be no problem in accepting the resolution.
According to him, there was a political logjam and Nigerians wanted the country to move forward, which prompted the National Assembly to take the best option available to it.

“The National Assembly resolution is in good faith. It is a victory for democracy. Some people are already arguing on the legality of the resolution, but I am one of those who believe Nigeria itself is illegal. Nigerians did not say we want to be Nigerians, we were forced into being one country. The formation of the country is illegal. The Constitution we operate is also illegal. The Constitution says ‘We The People’ but there was no time I, as a Nigerian, was consulted. A cabal just met and gave us a constitution just like the National Assembly met and gave us a resolution. If the constitution that binds us is acceptable to Nigerians, I expect the resolution to also be accepted not only be Nigerians but also the International community.”

Ekiyor, however, differed with those calling for Yar’ Adua’s impeachment, noting that the President has not committed any impeachable offence. He suggested that the National Assembly set up a medical team to verify the true state of Yar’Adua’s health and then take a definite stand.
The IYC boss stressed: “I don’t subscribe to those clamouring for the impeachment of Yar’ Adua. In resolving a conflict, you don’t create a new conflict. The present state of Yar’Adua is divine.

He is sick. It is not that he has absconded. He was incapacitated by his health condition and was flown abroad. He would have done the right if he was in the position to do so. It is not an impeachable offence to be sick. Nigerians are not abreast of his present health condition whether he is in a position to write or not. What the National Assembly should do is to set up that medical committee of five doctors including the President’s personal physician to go to Saudi Arabia to verify the true status of Yar’ Adua’s health.

They have that power they should invoked it and do what is appropriate. In any case, this country has to move forward and the way forward is what the National Assembly has done, I give them kudos for it. It was timely.”
The IYC warned the Acting- President against those he described as sycophants “who would be streaming to Aso- Rock now proffering solutions they could not proffer before now,” stressing that he should remain focussed and not allow himself to be distracted.
On the seeming closeness between Jonathan and former president Olusegun Obasanjo, Ekiyor told Nigerians not to entertain any fears, because Jonathan is a man who has his own mind.

He said as a former president and elder statesman, Obasanjo is entitled to offer the Acting-President advice, which only Jonathan can either accept or reject.
“Obasanjo is an elder statesman. Jonathan meeting him is not a problem. Gowon was in Aso-Rock the other day and he also met Jonathan. Jonathan as Acting President has a mind of his own. Obasanjo is not an evil man as people portray him . He has done his part in Nigeria and has made some mistakes. As an old man, I know he would look back and realise his mistakes. But he has a wealth of experience which he can offer to Nigeria. And advice is advice. It can be accepted or rejected. Jonathan is the Acting President and he has a mind of his own. And in actual fact he has not told Nigerians that he has a godfather in Obasanjo,” Ekiyor added.