President Jonathan has right to contest in 2015 — Says APC Chieftain, Audu Ogbeh
*Says there ‘ll be no bloodshed
ABUJA—A chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said weekend that President Goodluck Jonathan, had the rights to contest elections in 2015.
Ogbeh, who was former chairman of ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, also appealed to Nigerians to desist from making inflammatory statements, following threats of bloodshed by some eminent persons over President Jonathan’s 2015 ambition.
Audu-OgbehHe said: “There are those who said that if President Jonathan contests in 2015, there will be bloodshed. I don’t think we should talk that way.
“If the court says he is free to contest and the constitution allows him, no one of us has the right to stop him.
“On the other hand, the opposition can prepare and contest against him, provided there is a free and fair election. That’s all we need to work on.”
On threat of bloodshed, Ogbeh said Nigeria had witnessed so much of bloodshed already, stressing that such comments were not in the best interest of the people.
He spoke exclusively to Vanguard against the backdrop of a statement credited to a Northern leader and Second Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, who recently declared that blood would flow in the country should President Jonathan seek re-election in 2015.
Ogbe urged Nigerians to cultivate the virtues of patience and perseverance, irrespective of any frustrations.
Ogbeh said: “I will like to appeal to all politicians and leaders in this country to watch their language. When you hear somebody saying there will be bloodshed or that blow will flow in 2015, it is not the way to speak in a country that is seeking peace and progress.
“No matter what the frustrations are, we must not wish our country doom and damnation because we already have too much blood flowing in this country and we can’t talk that way.”
