Igbo Youth Movement lashes out at claims Goodluck deceived Ndigbo with 2nd Niger Bridge

NDIGBO young people's organisation the Igbo Youth Movement (IYM) has come out in defence of President Goodluck Jonathan debunking claims that he deceived the southeast into voting for him with the promise of a second River Niger Bridge.

 

During the March 28 presidential elections, Nigeria's Igbo-speaking southeast geo-political zone voted massively for President Goodluck Jonathan and his People's Democratic Party (PDP). With General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winning the elections, Igbo leaders have been falling over themselves to ingratiate themselves with him, pleading that he ignores their voting for the PDP.

 

Last week, the Ohaneze Ndigbo caretaker committee led by Chief Ralph Obioha, paid a visit to General Buhari, during which he said that President Jonathan lied to the Igbo nation about awarding a contract for the construction of the second Niger Bridge and major federal roads in the southeast. He added that no financial commitment had been made by the federal government to commence the construction of the second Niger Bridge.

 

In response, Elliot Uko, the IYM president has dismissed this comment, noting that the president was fair in his dealings with Ndigbo.  Mr Uko frowned on what he described as the constant demonisation of President Jonathan and his wife, describing it as unfair, pointing out that those behind claims that the president failed the Igbo were political jobbers, seeking attention from General Buhari.

 

Mr Uko said: "Ndigbo are proud, courageous people whose world view is built on truth and justice. Whereas political hustlers and job seekers have the inalienable right to lobby General Buhari for accommodation in the APC groovy train, such lobbyists certainly do not have the right to tell white lies, especially when they claim to be speaking on behalf of Ndigbo.

 

"No government in Nigeria since 1960 has treated Ndigbo justly or better than the outgoing Jonathan administration, therefore, people who use the very strong and negative word deception in describing President Jonathan’s relationship with Ndigbo as concerning the second Niger Bridge, simple went too far. Some 99% of Ndigbo hold that President Jonathan remains the first and only Nigerian leader to give them a sense of belonging since 1966."

 

He added that most Igbos also know that President Jonathan was equally fair to all sections of the country during his five year stewardship. According to Mr Uko, denouncing President Jonathan so soon is unkind, and un-Igbo as it is not in Ndigbo's character to show such vile ingratitude to the man who truly tried his best in service of his father land.