By Akeem Oyetunji President Goodluck Jonathan Thursday took a swipe at some politicians who make unguarded and treasonable comments, saying some of them don’t deserve to enjoy immunity.
The President was apparently replying Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, who recently threatened that the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) would form a parallel congress should Jonathan’s administration fail to conduct credible elections in 2015.
Speaking when he received a delegation from Bayelsa on his 57th birthday at the State House, Abuja, Jonathan, however assured Nigerians that the threat notwithstanding, Nigeria will survive these temporary challenges.
“This country must continue and we will not give up to blackmail by anybody, we will do our best and Nigeria must survive this temporary setback like Haram and other security challenges.
“If there are people making statements threatening the survival of this country, especially some people who probably have constitutional immunity and are abusing that privilege, that is why most Nigerians are saying that immunity clause be removed because some people don’t merit it, since they abuse it.
“Some people are making remarks that are more or less treasonable; don’t be worried, nobody can upturn this country.
“The fact that we have challenges should not be misconstrued that the country will come to an end. We will surely overcome those challenges, and that this country must move, this country must unite.
Jonathan thanked the delegation of traditional and political leaders in the state led by Governor Seriake Dickson, for finding time to rejoice with him.
“So today I’m here to serve Nigeria and you are here to support me, to identify with me as my people . If I’m here to serve this country and you don’t give me this support, of course definitely people will not take me serious, they will say even his people have rejected him.
“So, I thank him today for coming, for gathering our royal fathers from all the kingdoms in Bayelsa State to come in this manner, I remain most grateful to all of you,” he added.
Governor Dickson who presented a birthday card on behalf of the delegation assured the President that the people of the state were solidly behind his administration.
President Jonathan had earlier been joined by family members, friends and aides in a Holy Communion service to mark the occasion.
He was joined in cutting the birthday cake by his wife, Patience; mother, Madam Eunice and well wishers including ex-governor Peter Obi.
