PRESIDENT of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Mr. Abiye Kromiema said on Saturday that  any attempt to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2011 election could lead to serious backlashes that could eventually see him as the last president to preside over a united Nigeria.

He declared that though the issue of presidency does not amount to the true medicaments, which can resolve the issue of  true federalism in Nigeria, he however declared that any attempt to deny a Nigerian the right  to seek office at whatever level would be treated as a ploy to treat such individual as a second class citizen.

“The fundamental issue is citizenship. And his rights as a citizen must be respected. We as Ijaw people and all the ethnic nationalities are saying that everyone must be treated as  citizens.  We are senior partners in the Nigerian project and we must be seen as senior partners. Our rights cannot be zoned away on the altar of politics,” he declared.

He stated that while the Ijaw Youths are reaching out to all ethinc nationalities in the country in order to find a lasting solution to issues affecting the institution of true federalism in the country, they are ready to interact with other segments of the country to ensure peace.

“We have gone round the different ethnic nationalities. We have gone to the North West, the North East and the Middle belt. We have gone to the South West, and the South East, our message is peaceful cohabitation. The interaction is cordial and we will go round with the message that all ethnic nationalities deserve their respect.

“I hope we will be listened to. It is not just about making President Jonathan the President in 2011, even if he wins, that is not the medicament. The real medicament is addressing the issues that affect true federalism and if the right thing is not done, Jonathan may end up as the last Nigerian President.”

“Until we come together, discuss and evolve the way out, we may be evoking the anger that has built up if we don’t take the opportunity to build a new nation,” he further said.

The youths held a programme in Port Harcourt to discuss the need for unity among the nation’s ethnic nationalities as a way forward to resolving the zoning argument.

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