2011: Jonathan, IBB supporters in verbal warfare

Details: Category: Politics; Published on Friday, 03 September 2010 08:25; Written by Vanguard; Hits: 2038

BENIN—SUPPORTERS of President Goodluck Jonathan for 2011 presidency in Edo State and those of former Military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, yesterday, traded words over claim that IBB was more experienced to lead the nation than President Jonathan.

It will be recalled that former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Albert Legogie, had Monday, declared that IBB would be the best candidate of the party in the forthcoming 2011 presidential election due to his experience and numerous achievements while he was Military Head of State of the country.
But reacting yesterday in an interview with Vanguard in Benin City, the immediate past Deputy Governor of the state and Coordinator of the President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign in Edo State, Chief Lucky Imasuen, described the claim as untrue and laughable.

He said: “I have read some of these comments in the papers but they beat my imagination. How can you say that a man who was a teacher, Deputy Governor, Governor, Vice-President and now President of the country is not experienced? What more experience do you want? All this talk about inexperience is rubbish.

I read Senator Legogie said about the achievements of IBB when they met in Benin recently.

“They are supporters of IBB and have the right to do so, but Nigerians are very civilized now. IBB is a great man and he was Head of State of this nation for eight years, but the question is, what else does he want to achieve for the nation? I read Legogie saying that IBB helped in laying foundation for the nation’s democracy but I remember that this same man single-handedly annulled the freest and fairest election in this country.

When you compare President Jonathan and IBB, they are both gentlemen but look at the achievements of Jonathan so far, you will agree with me that for the first time in about 20 years, the power supply in this country has improved. Look at the Niger Delta, there is peace now. That is Jonathan’s handwork.” He added, “You will also notice that all the federal roads are now receiving attention just less than one year."

A man who has been in a position for one year has achieved a lot and if you want to compare Jonathan’s achievement in the past one year and that of IBB’s eight years, you will see that the difference is clear. Even if people should support their candidate, we must not learn to run away from the facts for posterity sake”.