‘No gang-up against S’ East, minorities’

THE Niger Delta Professionals Initiative (NDPI), an association of professionals in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, has refuted claims by Alhaji Muhajid Dokubo Asari, that the recently concluded presidential election was a gang-up of the North and South West against the South East and minorities of the country.

In an interview with The Guardian the president of the group, Emem Udoinyang, said rather than being a gang-up, the election won by General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) was a true reflection of the genuine yearning for change in the conduct of the affairs of the country by a vast majority of Nigerians across regional divides.

Udoinyang said what Asari Dokubo and his Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF) described as conspiracy was a consequence of the failure of leading elements of the South-South to build bridges of fellowship with other sections of the country in support of President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to him, “most of us in the South-South withdrew into ourselves displaying medieval arrogance of power for the mere fact that one of us was the president of the country, hurling threats and invectives across the nation’s political divide even when the moment required tact, humility and handshakes of fellowship.

“We in the Niger Delta are not a conquered people. We are a people blessed and endowed with enormous potentials, which the Creator in His benevolence expects to be put to the benefit of all mankind, including all our fellow citizens in this great country of ours.”

Udoinyang called on the people of the Niger Delta to embrace peace at all times in order to create the enabling environment for the growth and development of the area.

He also congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for conducting an election that has met the benchmark of true democratic standards and hailed his magnanimity in defeat describing him as the first genuine statesman to emerge from the Niger Delta.

He said Jonathan’s unprecedented action in conceding defeat and congratulating the winner, has brought glory to every indigene of the Niger Delta, all Nigerians, Africa, and the black race the world over.

Udoinyang also congratulated the President-elect and called on him to build on the achievements recorded by Jonathan’s administration and move Nigeria further in its march towards joining the ranks of developed nations of the world.

He called on the people of the Niger Delta and indeed, all Nigerians to eschew bitterness and rancour and support the incoming administration in the task of building a united, peaceful and prosperous country.