Jonathan: National Interest’ll Supersede Others

Written by This Day Wednesday, 14 July 2010

In what was considered as a weighty message to his kinsmen who probably want to use ethnic ties to secure priority attention from him, President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday said he would always place national interests above all other considerations.

The occasion was an audience granted to a delegation of Ijaw leaders from Bayelsa State which was in the State House on a solidarity visit.

Jonathan, however, used the opportunity to express his appreciation to the government and people of the State for their stabilizing role in the country before and after the death of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
He reaffirmed his commitment to the promotion of the larger interests of the nation which would also encapsulate and benefit Bayelsa State.

A statement by the president Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ima Niboro, quoted Jonathan to have said, “Whatever I do here will either take Nigeria up or down, and my performance will be used as a yardstick to judge all Bayelsans.”
He recalled the cordial relationship he had with traditional rulers, in particular, and other stakeholders in general when he was deputy governor and later governor of the State and appealed to them for their continued support and encouragement.

According to him, “I promise to do my best to protect the name of the State and I am always ready to receive suggestions on how to perform better.”

Leader of the delegation and Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, according to the statement, condoled President Jonathan on the passing away of his predecessor and congratulated him on his elevation to the highest office in the land.
Sylva expressed the resolution of Bayelsans to “release their son to serve the Federal Republic of Nigeria for as long as Nigerians want.”

He said Bayelsa people would encourage him to continue with the good works and fulfill his promises in the areas of power, electoral reforms and tackling corruption.
Sylva told the President that Bayelsa people were eager to have him visit the state as quickly as possible,  stressing, “we are proud of you; we support your Presidency 100 per cent and ask you to remain focused and continue to be a good President of Nigeria.”

Those on the delegation included the the first civilian governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamayeseigha; former Chief of Defence Staff, General Andrew Owoeye Azazi (Rtd); traditional rulers, members of the State legislature and Judiciary, party, women, youth, and other prominent Ijaw elders and leaders.