U.S. Says Jonathan Can Contest

America has also given its nod to President Goodluck Jonathan to be on the ballot next year, provided the poll is free and transparent and fair.

United States Under-Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, Maria Otero, made the point to journalists in Aso Rock on Thursday after conferring with Jonathan in camera.

Also at the Villa was former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Barnabas Gemade, who described as “divine zone” the development which threw Jonathan up as President – and said he should go the whole hog.

The man himself is yet to declare his hand.

However, it is now probably as good as given that he will go for it, with opinion and pressure coalescing North and South, topped up by Washington.

Three days ago, former Health Minister, A.B.C. Nwosu, and former House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Masari, both members of the PDP Reform Forum, joined calls for Jonathan to run.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo began the drum beat on April 29, which has since been echoed by a coalition of PDP members in the U.S., as well as  by Jonathan’s National Assembly (NASS) Assistant, Cairo Ojougboh.

But former All Nigeria People Party (ANPP) acting National Chairman, Nya Asuquo, warned in Calabar on May 16 that Jonathan should not contest, because doing so would mean manipulation of his planned electoral reform in his favour.

Asuquo argued that even if Jonathan wins the ballot in a free and fair manner it would be difficult for most Nigerians to believe that it was not rigged.

He said Jonathan running for President would make him lose focus on electoral and power sector reforms, the development of the Niger Delta, and the full implementation of the amnesty programme.

Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) National Chairman, Balarabe Musa, also insisted on May 25 that it would be a distraction for Jonathan to run.

“Jonathan should not waste his time seeking for the Presidency in 2011 because he has a lot to do during this one year.

“He will not be able to do anything if he confuses himself with the ambition of contesting 2011. He is still young and can wait for 2015,” Musa counselled.

Nonetheless, Otero maintained on Thursday that Jonathan has shown that he is working to ensure free and credible polls next year, and Washington is ready to assist the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Asked if Jonathan’s intention to run will adversely affect Nigeria’s democracy, she said: “When elections are fair and transparent and when everyone can see that every vote counts, the question of them being contested decreases a great deal.

“Democracy in Nigeria has been operating for a long time, and like every democracy, it keeps moving forward and improving itself.

“We see in (Jonathan) a strong commitment and strong degree of activities in being able to improve democracy and ensure that the next election is fair, transparent, and credible.”

Otero, who was accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Sanders, added that, “We believe there is a great deal of commitment in moving forward and taking the necessary steps for fair, credible and transparent elections.

“We know there is work to be done and the U.S. is here to provide technical assistance and assistance, and we see that the INEC is proceeding in the proper direction in making sure that the steps that need to be taken are properly taken.”

Gemade visited the Villa with a large delegation of Benue politicians, led by Governor Gabriel Suswam, to condole with Jonathan on the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua.

He said the PDP zoning arrangement in 1999 and 2007 was a matter of necessity that can now be made flexible.

“At any given time, man is flexible, and he does things based on the exigencies of time, and the necessity of time. And it is not only human beings that can zone, God can also zone, and I believe that we are beginning to see a lot of divine zoning,” he stressed.

“Therefore, nobody should clubber anyone down based on his own interests of pursuing his fundamental human rights. I believe that no one should stop an incumbent President, or an incumbent office holder, in any respect from exercising their fundamental human rights to contest an election.

“Nigerians are very understanding when it comes to issues of politics and, therefore, there is no reason why Jonathan cannot get support from all parts of Nigeria if he decides to contest.”

Gemade explained that the PDP had zoned the Presidency particularly to the South West to compensate for the Presidential election won on June 12, 1993 but annulled by former military President, Ibrahim Babangida, a Northerner.

It was for it to “be seen that Nigeria will pay its dues where people feel aggrieved,” he said.

Source: http://www.thetimesofnigeria.com