NIGERIA-ELECTION/PRESIDENT-RALLY Nigeria's president holds election campaign rally in home state

Record ID: 214965

  • Title: NIGERIA-ELECTION/PRESIDENT-RALLY Nigeria's president holds election campaign rally in home state
  • Date: 6th February 2015
  • Summary: BAYELSA, NIGERIA (FEBRUARY 6, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ELECTION POSTERS ON THE STREET SHOWING PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN
  • Embargoed: 21st February 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nigeria
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA8QJXTSLGFRGFYGKAT3CC7S5IQ
  • Story Text: Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan addressed a large election rally in his home state on Friday (February 6).
    Ruling party politicians and former militants who disrupted the country's oil industry in the past met in Bayelsa state to rally support for his re-election bid a week before the vote.
    Thousands of supporters wearing the red and green of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) cheered as Jonathan took the stage after hours of dancing.
    The leader urged people to remain united.
    "Few of you have been infiltrated by those who don't like us. And I'm telling you that you must work with the governor of this state," Jonathan said, his short speech punctuated by bass guitar and crashing symbols.
    "For you to benefit from us, we are together, we work together to bring the dividend of democracy to this state," he said.
    "I'm tell you as your father, I'm telling you as your uncle, I'm telling you as your elder brother," he said, wearing his trademark fedora hat and carrying a gold-handled cane.
    Jonathan is campaigning heavily in a tight race amid criticism he has failed to quell a bloody Islamist insurgency or tackle corruption.
    In return, he has drawn attention to his achievements, including creating universities and privatising the electric power sector.
    The bastion of his support remains the Niger Delta, a region that has long felt it deserves more of the oil wealth it produces.
    Young people at the rally said they were confident Goodluck will be re-elected.
    "The youth of Nigeria are very optimistic that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is going to win the coming election because he believes in the youth and we are very proud of him. Imagine what he is doing for the youth. We now have new entrepreneurs in Nigeria who are the future of this country," said businesswoman Ayaogeda Daudu.
    "I want Goodluck Jonathan to continue ruling us forever because I'm scared of any other person that will come and sit as president. I don't want any other person, again it's only him I want. Since he's been here, he has tried for us, he has helped us," said Anare Gberesi.
    Goodluck's rallies in the north have been disrupted by thugs and his convoy has been stoned, but in Bayelsa he was more or less guaranteed an enthusiastic showing.
    As his motorcade sped through state capital Yenagoa, crowds clapped and women in bright headdresses danced.
    They cheered nearly as loudly for former Niger Delta militant leader Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, who rode past earlier on the top of a dark Mercedes Benz 4x4, stretching his fist out of his white robe in a power salute.
    Asari's Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force managed to push oil prices to record highs in 2004 with its constant attacks and threats against oil production in the delta's swampy creeks.
    Since then, peace deals with the region's warlords, including a lucrative amnesty and in some cases government contracts, have pacified the delta.
    The insurgency by Boko Haram Islamist militants in the north has become the number one threat to Nigeria's security.
    As another former militant leader, Kinglsey Kuku, who is now a presidential adviser, headed towards the stadium, a police officer stood to attention and saluted him.
    Jonathan's presidency since 2009; the first time anyone from the delta has had the top job, helped cool tensions in the region.
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