Niger Delta Youths Back Yar'adua

Akanimo Sampson

Bureau Chief, Port Harcourt

Niger Delta Youths Back Yar'adua, Jonathan For 2011

AMID insecurity problems in the Niger Delta, some youths of the oil and gas region have started to express their support for President Umaru Yar'Adua's administration to stay on beyond 2011. They are also pleading with the insurgents to give the administration some breathing space to implement its development agenda in the oil region.

Mr. Ugochukwu Nwuke, brother to Rivers State Information Commissioner, Mr. Ogbonna Nwuke, rose from a meeting yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, claiming that a good number of them were ready to support President Yar'Adua and his deputy, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, for a second term.

Nwuke, who is leading a group, South-South Youths Assembly for Non-Violence, said they were in Port Harcourt for a meeting with the leadership of Niger Delta Youths Coalitiion, to discuss their 2011 political project, and how to push for amnesty for the insurgents.

Leader of the coalition, Prince Emmannuel Ogba, who also spoke with our correspondent said they appreciate the efforts of the insurgents in bringing global attention to the plight of the peoples of the Niger Delta. ''But, we think that the time has come for us to engage Abuja politically with a view to attracting more amenities to our people'', he said.

On why they are pushing for the Yar'Adua-Jonathan ticket, the two youth leaders said, ''we strongly believe that the incumbent administration will be able to consolidate on their reform efforts, and further strengthen the rule of law''.

Another youth group from the Ijaw axis, Niger Delta Peace and Development Campaign Organization for Yar’Adua / Jonathan, says they owe no one any apology for pressing for the re-election of the two Nigerian leaders.

President of the group, Mr. Mike Tiemo, in a statement to our correspondent yesterday claimed that the Yar’Adua led administration has sincere intentions and commitment in developing the oil region and promoting peace in the area.

Tiemo said it was proper for the peoples of the oil region to take advantage of the Yar'Adua presidency and collectively work for the development and actualization of the dreams of the oil-bearing communities.

While pleading with the armed youths to lay down their arms, the Ijaw youth leader, equally urged oil-bearing communities to ensure safety of lives and property including oil facilities in their areas as the authorities were allegedly considering to give them some stakes in the oil industry. ENDS

ENDS

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