Date Published: 01/05/10

Jonathan: Uneasy calm in Niger Delta

THE Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC), a coalition of some rebel groups in the Niger Delta, including the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) says there is too much bottled emotion in the oil and gas region at the moment over the allege3d on-going political game over Vice President Goodluck Jonathan.

Spokesperson for the group, Cynthia Whyte, in an on-line statement on Tuesday claimed that any wrong move on Jonathan could generate ''very strong undesirable currents'', adding that it would be a shame to disrupt the fragile peace that currently holds in the Niger Delta.

''This whole Jonathan issue is driving a quiet revolution in the Niger Delta, the last of which was witnessed after the arrest of Mujahid Dokubo-Asari'', they said.

According to them, ''the Joint Revolutionary Council is the highest decision making body for key agitating groups in the Niger Delta. By this mandate, we believe that it is important for us to watch the situation very closely before making statements even as we recognize the fact that there are fifth columnist elements who seek to undermine our larger concerns and aspirations''

Their detailed statement went thus:.

''We believe that people should get very used to the fact that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is the Vice President of the Nigerian state and not President. Therefore he cannot arrogate to himself the position of President without recourse to due process. He has a strong pedigree of humility, loyalty and commitment. Any attempt by dubious cabals to taint that pedigree will fail.

''The critical concern at this moment is to wish Yar’ Adua well while condemning the overzealous members of his kitchen cabinet who would do anything to cling to power and privilege. These people are the real problem of this contraption called Nigeria.

''The last time the President returned from Saudi Arabia after treatments, Babagana Kingibe got fired. Hopefully when he returns this time, we would like to see someone like Michael Aondokaa. The man is a disgrace to the people of the Nigerian state.

''''It is unfortunate that the Niger Delta still belongs to this contraption called Nigeria. Recently, our people have had to suffer the embarrassments created by Umar Farouk Mutallab, the young man from Northern Nigeria who tried to bomb a plane in the United States. He ignored the problems in Northern Nigeria to bomb a plane in America. Why didn’t he attempt to bomb the quarters of corrupt Northern leaders?

 ''There is no smoke without fire. Goodluck Jonathan enjoys the mandate and support of all people of the Ijaw and Niger Delta territory. It would be a terrible and grievous mistake for anyone whatsoever to undermine him. The end result may threaten the very foundation of the Nigerian state.''