May 13, 2010
The leadership of the Niger Delta Civil Society Coalition (NDCSC), on behalf of its teaming membership, welcomes President Jonathan, on his maiden visit to the Niger Delta, as he touches down in Rivers State for the convocation ceremony at the Federal University of Port Harcourt, and commissioning of some projects in the state.
The leadership of the Niger Delta Civil Society Coalition (NDCSC), on behalf of its teaming membership, welcomes President Jonathan, on his maiden visit to the Niger Delta, as he touches down in Rivers State for the convocation ceremony at the Federal University of Port Harcourt, and commissioning of some projects in the state.
The NDCSC is encouraged that on the eve of his visit to a region and peoples, damaged by structural violence of the states, occasioned by reason of leadership without effective legitimacy; that one key visible blight of corruption at his door step, Mr. Ugbolafor was forced to resign his position as Chairman of his Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), having been quite rightly arraigned and charged by the Indepedent Corrupt Practices Commission(ICPC) on a most disturbing matter centred on corruption and abuse of trust . This particular resignation, especially so at the very auspicious point, upon which it happened, therefore, brings with Mr. President, a clear message and signal to his chief hosts in the region, that his position on zero tolerance for corruption with impunity, unjustifiable primitive accumulation of wealth remain unshakeable and would remain a respecter of none.
The NDCSC commends this very impactful singular act that signals hope, of Mr. President, who inspite of the pressure heaped upon him by the all powerful PDP Governors Forum, refused to yield, and allowed the rule of law to take its full cause. This a clear indication that he is serious about setting standards that would not only be used in judging others, but himself, if the need arises any time, any day. This is the spirit of Change that the Nigeria he has inherited requires and demand, and that he must lead.
The NDCSC strongly calls on President Jonathan to lead this Change by example and by getting it right at home first. That example must stem directly by way of using this maiden home visit, to make it absolutely clear to the leadership of the region, that past and present internal misgovernance and absence of democracy in their habits and practices, contributes catastrophically to the sense of helplessness, frustration, extreme poverty and state of insecurity that continue to make the entire region less attractive and conducive environment internal and external investments.
The NDCSC calls on Mr. President to note that inspite of the absence of free and fair elections and the worst electoral outcome in the region, since the May 1999 transition, that it has been almost impossible to dislodge any of those who clearly denied their population of their mandate through deliberate adoption of murderous political violence strategies, by their reason of their illicit use of state resources to champion corrupt personal justice, rather than collective growth causes. In keeping with Mr. President’s global declaration on the integrity of future elections, he must drum it into the heads of powerholders in the region, to turn a new leaf and ensure that the product the electoral bill before the National Assembly shall turn the dreams of our population of an effective participatory democracy to reality.
Finally, the NDCSC strongly calls on Mr. President to note that leading the kind of Change that Nigerians require and demand, can only be possible, if he stands visibly above the Peoples Democracy Party and its politics, that has become synonymous with bad leadership, bad governance, extra judicial destruction, poor visioning on law and order, corruption with impunity, and step to the side of the nation, and for the first time since the transition, engage in holistic rational policies that places ordinary and all Nigerians at the centre of his thinking and activity. History is replete with leaders who took their nation out of most difficult times when least expected. By daring Nigerians on this, his challenges will become completely those of majority of Nigerians who desire democratic freedom, and no hurdle will be too high for him to cross.
The NDCSC strongly states and advices that this visit must not be about mending unnecessary political fences that have trapped millions of the Niger Delta population in misery over the years, but delivering a counter weight necessary for transforming current competitive authoritarianism that have almost consumed the land and peoples, toward strengthening effective participatory democracy: the necessary foundation for institutional building, infrastructural development, human value, rule of law and creation of citizens with voices, stakes and committed to the cause of national character and cohesion.
Signed:
Anyakwee Nsirimovu
Chair, NDCSC
The NDCSC is encouraged that on the eve of his visit to a region and peoples, damaged by structural violence of the states, occasioned by reason of leadership without effective legitimacy; that one key visible blight of corruption at his door step, Mr. Ugbolafor was forced to resign his position as Chairman of his Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), having been quite rightly arraigned and charged by the Indepedent Corrupt Practices Commission(ICPC) on a most disturbing matter centred on corruption and abuse of trust . This particular resignation, especially so at the very auspicious point, upon which it happened, therefore, brings with Mr. President, a clear message and signal to his chief hosts in the region, that his position on zero tolerance for corruption with impunity, unjustifiable primitive accumulation of wealth remain unshakeable and would remain a respecter of none.
The NDCSC commends this very impactful singular act that signals hope, of Mr. President, who inspite of the pressure heaped upon him by the all powerful PDP Governors Forum, refused to yield, and allowed the rule of law to take its full cause. This a clear indication that he is serious about setting standards that would not only be used in judging others, but himself, if the need arises any time, any day. This is the spirit of Change that the Nigeria he has inherited requires and demand, and that he must lead.
The NDCSC strongly calls on President Jonathan to lead this Change by example and by getting it right at home first. That example must stem directly by way of using this maiden home visit, to make it absolutely clear to the leadership of the region, that past and present internal misgovernance and absence of democracy in their habits and practices, contributes catastrophically to the sense of helplessness, frustration, extreme poverty and state of insecurity that continue to make the entire region less attractive and conducive environment internal and external investments.
The NDCSC calls on Mr. President to note that inspite of the absence of free and fair elections and the worst electoral outcome in the region, since the May 1999 transition, that it has been almost impossible to dislodge any of those who clearly denied their population of their mandate through deliberate adoption of murderous political violence strategies, by their reason of their illicit use of state resources to champion corrupt personal justice, rather than collective growth causes. In keeping with Mr. President’s global declaration on the integrity of future elections, he must drum it into the heads of powerholders in the region, to turn a new leaf and ensure that the product the electoral bill before the National Assembly shall turn the dreams of our population of an effective participatory democracy to reality.
Finally, the NDCSC strongly calls on Mr. President to note that leading the kind of Change that Nigerians require and demand, can only be possible, if he stands visibly above the Peoples Democracy Party and its politics, that has become synonymous with bad leadership, bad governance, extra judicial destruction, poor visioning on law and order, corruption with impunity, and step to the side of the nation, and for the first time since the transition, engage in holistic rational policies that places ordinary and all Nigerians at the centre of his thinking and activity. History is replete with leaders who took their nation out of most difficult times when least expected. By daring Nigerians on this, his challenges will become completely those of majority of Nigerians who desire democratic freedom, and no hurdle will be too high for him to cross.
The NDCSC strongly states and advices that this visit must not be about mending unnecessary political fences that have trapped millions of the Niger Delta population in misery over the years, but delivering a counter weight necessary for transforming current competitive authoritarianism that have almost consumed the land and peoples, toward strengthening effective participatory democracy: the necessary foundation for institutional building, infrastructural development, human value, rule of law and creation of citizens with voices, stakes and committed to the cause of national character and cohesion.
Signed:
Anyakwee Nsirimovu
Chair, NDCSC
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