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2007: Ibori denies rift in
S/South PDP
�Leaders insist on
presidency
By
Tunke-Aye Bisina
reporter,
Asaba
Contrary to
speculations that the disagreement among the governors of the South South
on the choice of the vice chairman of the People�s Democratic Party for
the zone had torn the party apart in the area, Delta State Governor, Chief
James Ibori has affimed that the issue has not brought division within the
party.
Also
leaders of the South South zone have re-echoed their determination to
produce the president of the country come 2007.
Ibori spoke
at the weekend when the leadership of the emerging regional association in
the zone, The South South People�s Assembly led by former Senate
President, Dr. Joseph Wayas visited him at Government House,
Asaba.
The
governor said: "What you see as division in the South South People�s
Democratic Party is not a division. I can assure you that we have no
choice but to be united,"
He
explained that disagreement do occur even in families but that such
misunderstanding do not translate into division since they are easily
resolved.
He stated
that after the Uyo meeting of the leaders of the zone where they could not
agree on the choice of who should take over the mantle of leadership left
by the Late Chief Aminosoari Dikibo, the governors have been
interacting.
Ibori who
have been in the forefront of the agitation of the South South zone for
resource control and true federalism told the delegation that he was still
committed to the struggle and was prepared for whatever it would cost
him.
He alligned
himself with the goals of the forum and pledged his support as long as
they remained focussed to their mission of fighting for the realization of
the agitations of the people of the area.
Wayas, the
chief convener of the new body, had told the governor that the body was
formed in response to such issues as the legal action by the 22 governors
where they want the Onshore and Offshore Dichotomy abrogation law
nullified and the need for the South South region to produce the president
of the country in 2007.
The former
senate president lamented that whereas all five zones in the country have
ruled the country, the South South zone has not done so and was not even
considered in the race to the 2007 presidential polls but that the body
which he stated was not sponsored by anyone was out to galvanize support
for towards that end.
Wayas while
stating that the zone has capable men and women to assume that office
admitted however that the votes from the area alone would not be able to
get that dream fulfiled but that the goal is to appeal to the other
regions to see reasons and allow the region have the slot in
2007.
Chairman of
Daar Communications and the chairman of startegy in the assembly, Dr.
Raymond Dokpesi also speaking noted, "I don�t see any reason why we cannot
produce a president from this part of the country," and urged the governor
to prevail on his colleagues to support the cause.
The delegation also included
former chief of General Staff,Admiral Mike Akhigbe,former military
governor of the old Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, Diete Spiff, Madam
Mercy Alagoa, Obong Iri Okori among other personalities from the
zone.
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