Hon.Ibimie Odimabo is the President-General of Voice of Niger Delta who has over the years been working towards ensuring that the country remains together through his organization’s campaign against violence, unity of the country and good governance. In this interview with IGNATIUS OKOROCHA, Hon Odimabo, who doubles as a social crusader, bears his mind on topical political issues, including the need for Jonathan’s second term. Excerpts:
The world leaders were in Nigeria for Economic Forum, what does this meant for Jonathan’s administration?
Thanks, so much we give God the glory because everything happening today is not by our power but I believe that with this World Economic Forum, Nigeria and the world will come to be a better place where progress and business development will come into our country and also the rest of the world.
Was the economic forum meant to divert attention from the current security challenges as insinuated by some people?
Well, the challenges facing Jonathan’s administration have nothing to do with World Economic Forum, what you say with your mouth must surely come to pass, the voice of Niger Delta believes that with this world summit that has come to Nigeria and indeed Africa for the first time will bring about real development to Nigeria. I will give kudos to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for what he is doing. No matter how he plays the game to make this thing come to Nigeria, God will bless him and it will help expose us to the world as a peaceful developing country of the world.
About three weeks ago, more than 200 girls were taken away, now the Americans have offered to help Nigeria in the search of these girls, how well will you rate the security apparatus in Nigeria?
Well, first of all, I still repeat; thank God that the foreign partners are participating in the fight against terrorism in our country, why I am saying this is because Nigeria has been helping other countries in fighting terrorism, wars, making peace in other countries. So if they are coming to Nigeria, they are 100 percent welcome. At least they can help us with their security network to build a peaceful environment for our sons and daughters in this country for a better Nigeria. Nigeria is a peaceful country, I don’t know where this habit of waging wars within ourselves is coming from. Nigeria is a very peaceful place, so they are welcome, and we welcome them to help us stem the terrorists attack, because if we can’t stop it today, it will thrive to other regions of the country. So we welcome the foreign assistance to help us locate where our daughters are, but I pray to God Almighty that nothing should happen to them. Our major concern is our country, our children.
Can you give an assessment of the role played by the Borno state Governor on this issue in particular and the Boko Haram activities?
Well, I can’t give any assessment of the Borno State Governor or the Boko Haram, but I can give assessment of the northern political leaders, because when it happened in the Niger Delta, Niger Deltans tasked President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and other political leaders to search for their militants and there was peace. My own point is to advise the northern political elites to go back home and call their sons and daughters to order, because one, you can’t tell me that where you are living, you have a criminal, you have a terrorist, you must at least know who is who within your domain, the leaders of the Northern elders forum, should call their people together with a view to solving their problems, they should come out openly and say, this is our problem, the federal government has been begging them to come out and tell the state what they want, but nobody has done that.
Away from the conference, most Nigerians are of the view that Jonathan should not contest in 2015. What is your position on this?
Well, God bless them, but in my opinion it is God first because he is my principal person. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is a Nigerian, he has ruled only one tenure; others have ruled for two tenures without doing anything good for this country. A man that has just found himself as a president with our support, he has done a lot for this country through his transformation agenda and we are all seeing it. Real Nigerians have seen the transformation going on in all the sectors of our economy despite the challenges that is going on in the country. Nigerians should allow President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to go for a second term and by the grace of God Almighty, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will win without problems and I want to assure you that this violence in parts of the country will certainly end before 2015 election. God Almighty will protect Nigerians, it will be a very peaceful election whether you belong to APC, PDP or any other party. Nigerians should rejoice that we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel.
Why are you so confident that 2015 is going to be violence free considering the insurgency we are experiencing in this country?
Well, I am confident because I know my God loves Nigeria and I study Nigerians. In the beginning we will shout, in the end we will rejoice, I have my confidence that 2015 election will be very peaceful, quote me. It will be peaceful, nothing will happen.
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