The All Progressives Congress has declared that President Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party should stay away from campaigning in the Niger Delta ahead of the 2015 elections as the lackluster performance of his administration in the past years has removed their moral right to seek votes in the region.
Rivers State Interim Chairman of the APC, Dr. Ikanya Davies, made the comments in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant, Chief Chukwuemeka Eze.
The statement reads, “Even though they lack shame, President Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party should for once respect themselves and stay away from the Niger Delta since even his kinsmen in Bayelsa State have rejected him for disappointing them.
“This fact was made clear by the immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, who during his solidarity visit to Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, declared that most Bayelsa people were frustrated with the Jonathan administration and wanted change even though the President is from the state.
“As Chief Sylva rightly said, Jonathan’s Presidency has brought nothing but shame and opened cracks in the unity of the people of the South-South geo-political zone.
“Jonathan’s occupation of the Aso Presidential Villa has proved to be a curse rather than a blessing to the Niger Delta. The situation is so bad that the Jonathan Presidency has failed to reconstruct the East-West road, which links the South-South with the South-Western parts of the country.
“Certainly, President Jonathan and the PDP have lost every moral right to come and ask the people of the Niger Delta for their votes in 2015 considering the wickedness they have exhibited towards the people of the region.”
In its response, the PDP secretary of the State, Chief Walter Ibibia said the Jonathan administration had delivered dividends of democracy to the people, citing the East West road which it said was at 70% completion. Other achievements of the Jonathan administration cited were power projects and aviation industry rejuvenation.