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2007: Atiku, Odili
split South-South
felix ofou
Group Political Editor
There are indications that leaders
of the South-South are in disarray over who to pitch tent with in the titanic
battle for the 2007 presidential race. This is coming on the heels of the
reported tussle between Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Governor Peter Odili
of Rivers State for control of the zone.
Already, the governors of the
South-South are said to have been polarised over the issue, while efforts are
also on to mobilise other leaders of the zone, putting to jeopardy the wish of
the people that one of their sons should become the next president in 2007.
Saturday Independent further gathered that the ranks of
the fledgling South South Peoples Assembly (SSPA) which has been at the
forefront of the agitation and demand for a South South president in 2007 may
have been infiltrated by the pro-Atiku camp, even as Governor Odili is said to
be bent on ensuring that he emerges as the consensus candidate of the zone.
Indications of a crack in the ranks
of the SSPA first emerged at the recent conference of the group in Calabar,
capital of Cross River State where the pro-Odili forces mobilized support from
Rivers State to dominate proceedings. Also present were such key public
officers like Transport Minister, Abiye Sekibo and Deputy Speaker, Austin Opara
believed to be in power at Odili’s instance.
However, evidence that Atiku
loyalists were determined to make inroads emerged as delegates were greeted by
colourful posters of the Vice President declaring that he was in the 2007
presidential race.
Similarly, governors sympathetic to
Atiku’s cause stayed away from the event ostensibly to protest
Odili’s candidacy. Of the six governors, only Donald Duke, the host and
Odili were in attendance, while Diepreye Alamieyesigha of Bayelsa, Victor Attah
of Akwa Ibom and Lucky Igbinedion of Edo sent their deputies. James Ibori did
not send a representative.
Former Deputy Governor of Edo State,
Rev Obadan could not hide his contempt for the attempt by the Atiku camp to
hijack the proceedings of the Calabar meet. Apart from asking the vice
president to call his men to order, he restated the resolve of the zone, in an
interview, to produce a presidential candidate in 2007.
“Atiku should call his men to
order and stop the circulation of those posters. We are going to produce our
own presidential candidate in the South South. And I am sure the South South,
will in unity, stand for that candidate. We will not be satisfied with playing
second fiddle this time. We have over the years but we are no more fools”
he declared.
But Igbinedion on Tuesday in Benin pointedly told the SSPA
leaders to drop the presidential ambition and counselled them to concentrate
efforts at securing the number two position.
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