Support for Goodluck Jonathan
Speaking on the group’s support for President Jonathan, Alhaji Yerima recalled that during protracted illness of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the group was the organization that urged President Jonathan to vie for the exalted seat. According to him, “ when we noticed that Yar’Adua’s health was critically going down, our organization publicly urged Goodluck Jonathan to get ready to step into his shoes. That was before the death of President Yar’Adua “. He stated that having closely observed the achievements and leadership qualities of Dr Jonathan, he believed that Jonathan has all it takes to lead the nation to the promised land.
He noted that President Jonathan, since he succeeded the late Yar’Adua, has demonstrated a good understanding of the many changes facing the nation, saying “ Goodluck Jonathan, since he assumed office as the president of Nigeria at the death of late President Yar’Adua, has clearly demonstrated a good understanding of the mountain of challenges facing the nation, and has at the same continued to offer suitable solutions aimed at mitigating these problems and ultimately transforming Nigeria.”
Buhari, IBB and others
Yerima believes that it was unnecessary comparing Jonathan with the likes of Buhari, IBB and others, just as he maintains that the achievements of Jonathan since he came into office some months ago surpassed what the duo of Buhari and IBB achieved when they held sway as military heads of state of the nation at various times. In his words: “It is pointless comparing the achievements of President Jonathan within this short period he came into office, with that of Buhari and IBB who ruled the nation for about nine years without any noticeable socio- economic achievement across the nation “.
Yerima, who was still a secondary school boy during the regimes of Buhari and Babangida, strongly believed that the two retired army generals had out-lived their usefulness and would no longer offer any meaningful leadership service to the nation , wondered “ while they were in power many years ago, why did they not transform the nation. Why did they not fix the electricity, roads, hospitals, education and others. They must tell Nigerians why they failed to create jobs, curb corruption and stop maladministration and fix basic infrastructure.”
He asked: “ What new ideas and visions have they learnt since they left power that makes think that they are now qualified to seek for the presidency.” He posited that as the nation continues to move forward to hoist it’s flag as one of the best economies in 20-20-20, Nigerians would no longer vote for retrogressive and oppressive leaders whose past activities were already in the public domain. Continuing, he stated that, “ Nigerians needs new generation of leaders, with new ideas and sound leadership qualities capable of transforming the entire nation. At this modern era, the nation needs digital leaders, with modern ways of solving solutions and can- do- spirit. We certainly don’t need analog and expired leaders who had failed to fix the nation when they were in power ”. He added that Nigerian citizens were now wiser and much interested in voting for those who would transform the nation to the benefit of all Nigerians.
Gang-up against Jonathan
In his response to the call for the impeachment of the President by Adamu Ciroma and his co-travellers, Yerima maintained that President Jonathan had done no wrong to warrant any call for resignation or impeachment , saying “ those behind this unprovoked calls are speaking only for themselves, and cannot be said to represent the collective opinions of the entire North. As true Nigerians, such statements are unacceptable to us. Northerners can no longer be misled by such ideal talks. We are tired of such unwarranted sectional statements, which is capable of dividing the nation, and creating chaos amongst Nigerians “. He further cancelled Nigerians to weary of unpatriotic politicians who had no interest in the unity and peaceful co-existence of the nation, just as he advised Nigerian politicians to be cautious of their statements , and to always conduct themselves in civilized manners.
On the zoning issue
Speaking on the zoning issue, the leader of the Northern Friends of the South South wondered why some politicians spent their time in playing tribal and parochial politics, instead of gathering their acts for free and fair elections in 2011. According to him, “ I’m still surprise on why some politicians are spending much energy talking about common issues like the zoning arrangement , instead of preparing for the elections. Politicians must concern themselves with constitutional issues which is above other issues. Those agitating for zoning arrangement are simply playing to the gallery. In Nigeria today, no sound politician can achieve electoral victory by playing tribal or sectional politics, such belong to the old and not the present “.
INEC
He stated that Prof. Attahiru Jega, the INEC boss, as a no nonsense man, would conduct free and fair elections, and would not be compromised or bought over by any body. He believed that the INEC boss would be very strict in the elections, and would announce only those who clearly won the elections.
| Posted: at | |
TRENDING GISTS 
Lady Calls Out JAMB After Mysterious Overnight Change in Brother’s UTME Result
Ex-AUN Provost, Professor Yusuf Attahir Baba Loses Three Children in Devastating Car Crash
Football Star, Lionel Messi-Marriage Rumours Stir Online Frenzy As Divorce Speculations Grow
El-Rufai & Peter Obi Meet at Cambridge Conference, Sparking Political Speculation Ahead Of 2027 Elections
"How My Mother’s Lover Rap3d Me" — 12 Year Old Victim Narrates Ordeal