Some Southsouth leaders, led by former Federal Commissioner Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday spoke on the Rivers Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis.
They took sides with President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been accused of being behind the crisis.
Addressing the meeting of Southsouth leaders, octogenarian Clark accused Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi of planning to run for vice president in 2015 and using the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) platform. The governor has not said he would like to run.
He said Amaechi had threatened to hand over to Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano who according to the elder statesman, does not like the Southsouth zone.
He said in the current dispensation, the zone would not be aspiring for anything short of the position of the president
“Here lies my worry. If reports that Governor Rotimi Chubuike Ameachi’s undying craze to be the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum is premised on his ambition to use it as a platform to serve; the interest of the people of the Southsouth or his personal interest?
“If he must contest in deference to his constitutional right, let him contest for the office of the president because the Southsouth of today is not interested in any other office than the President.”
PDP National Vice Chairman (Southsouth) Dr. Steve Oru noted that it was the responsibility of the zone to stand up for the president; adding that Jonathan has the right to seek a second term and he should be convinced to re-contest.
Also at the meeting were: Austin Opara, Chibudum Nwuche, Senators Stella Omu, Lee Maebe, Oyofo, Bassey Ewa Henshaw, Adaw Pepple, Roland Owie, Joe Ediowele, Secretary PDP, South/South, Cairo Ojougho, Igyota Amori, Ken Gbagi, Ambrose Akpanika, Ayakeme Whiskey, Ndudi Elemelu and AVM Idongesit Nkanga.
Source: The Nation