All the states of Southern Nigeria must unite behind President Goodluck Jonathan, as he continues to provide good governance for the nation.
This was the position of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tony Anenih, at the Southern Leaders’ Summit held at the Business and Leisure Resort in Calabar, Cross Rivers State on Monday.
Delivering his address, he posited that the President needed their support to face the challenges created by Boko Haram, the global economic recession and unrest, and to keep the country united.
According to him, “the unity of this country is not negotiable. We must acknowledge the uncommon leadership the President has exhibited in the face of these challenges.
“Unfortunately, some Nigerians do not see any good in the present administration,” noting that “this perception should be killed.”
A highly delighted BoT Chairman thanked the conveners of the summit which aimed at articulating Southern Nigeria’s positions at the forthcoming National Conference.
He also expressed delight that the idea of a national conference had been widely accepted.
Anenih said, “The response to the National Conference Committee was quite remarkable; so also is the widespread pre-National Conference Dialogue that is going on among various groups across the country.
“I commend President Goodluck Jonathan for his sagacity in giving Nigerians this golden platform to examine areas of concern about the Nigerian federation and find common solutions to those problems that have constituted a hindrance to our evolutionary journey to nationhood.
“I am convinced that the National Conference will strengthen the bonds of unity, the fabric of our federalism and the pillars of our nationhood. The unity of this great nation is not negotiable.”
He added, “It is gratifying that different groups—nationalities, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations and academic institutions—are crystallising their positions and preparing well-thought-out proposals for the National Conference.
“This Southern Leaders Summit is, surely, one of the pre-Conference Fora which, hopefully, will identify areas of common interest to the States of the South.”
Anenih, who used the occasion to lament the inability of the States of the South to operate on a common platform or to speak consistently with one voice, said the summit would provide a platform to identify common concerns.
According to him, “there is no doubt that there are many concerns which they share and need to identify at a platform such as this. Our Northern counterparts have been known to work together as a united front. We in the South must also forge unity and cooperation among ourselves.”
He noted that the participants at the Summit are men and women who have distinguished themselves in their various callings and in the services of this country. Moreover, he expressed confidence that the ideas and proposals which would emanate from the deliberations would not only be profound but also capable of lifting the country and helping it towards attaining its manifest destiny.
His admonition: “We must see this National Conference, not as a platform to shout at one another but rather as another opportunity to make our country a better place to live in.
“We must concern ourselves with proffering ideas that will bring improvements to every aspect and sector of our national life. Our aim must be to facilitate the emergence of a new Nigeria which, in the days, months and years after the National Conference, will be far better and more united than ever before.”
