Leaders of the third batch ex-militants under the Federal Government amnesty programme in Edo State have passed a vote of confidence on President Goodluck Jonathan and called on all Nigerians to re-elect him on February 14 2015.
Campaign Telete, Coordinator of the third phase of Amnesty Group, Edwin Ojujoh, his Adviser and Edah Akikoromor who is secretary of ex-militants in Edo in a statement in Benin City also urged Nigerians, the political class and ex-militants to desist from making inciting statements capable of disturbing the public peace as the nation inches towards another transition in democratic governance, arguing that Nigeria cannot break up over a mere election.
The group also condemned the so-called endorsement of the opposition by some ex-militants led by one Godwin Ogidigba and said such a misguided decision is only aimed, “at attracting undue sympathy to himself and his pay-master and does not represent the interest of beneficiaries of the FG Amnesty Programme”.
“We wish to state clearly that the position of Mr. Ogidigba amounts to a voyage of fishing and his views about President Jonathan should not be taken seriously because it falls short of public expectation”.
They said the ex-militants who claimed to have endorsed the opposition are only self-seeking: “We wish to clarify that President Jonathan has not abandoned the Amnesty Programme initiated by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2009 “.
Accordingly, the group said, ” For the purpose of emphasis, the Niger-Delta region which use to be engulfed by widespread insecurity, including kidnapping, bombing of oil installations and other inhumane activities, has remained peaceful and progressive since the emergence of President Jonathan”.
The group added that the Jonathan administration established 12 new federal universities including Maritime University, Delta State and Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria and has by so doing solved the annual problem of Nigerian youths not getting enough spaces for tertiary education.
President Goodluck Jonathan, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) presidential Candidate for 2015, the group said, deserve commendation for his foresight and commitment in the fight against darkness, terror and unemployment and other critical areas in the economic sector.
In conclusion, the group said the much talked about, “insurgency’’(Boko Haram) in some parts of the country which has become a campaign slogan by a leading opposition party is not President Goodluck Jonathan’s creation as he is doing his best to solve same as all over the world, terrorism is a global problem.
