Chief Tony Anenih, Chairman of the board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says some Nigerians don’t see anything good in the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The former minister of works, however begged southern states to support Jonathan in the governance of the nation.
Anenih made the call in an address he delivered on Monday at the Southern Leaders Summit, held in Calabar.
In his speech, which was sent to our correspondent in Abuja, Anenih said the President needed the support of the southern states to face the challenges created by the Boko Haram, the global economic recession and unrest, and to keep the country united.
He said, “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. This perception must stop.”
Anenih expressed happiness at the summit, which was convened to articulate southern Nigeria’s positions at the forthcoming conference, whose idea of a national conference had been widely accepted.
He added, “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.”
Anenih added it was gratifying that different groups—nationalities, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations and academic institutions—were crystallising their positions and preparing well thought-out proposals for the 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,” he added.
Anenih also lamented the inability of the states of the South to speak with one voice, saying the summit would provide a platform to identify common concerns.
He said, “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 were men and women, who he said, had distinguished themselves in their various callings and in the services of this country.
Anenih 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 loftier heights.
Nigerian Eye
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