Otuoke wears new look for Jonathan’s homecoming

From UCHENNA NWAFOR, Yenagoa
Posted: Monday, September 6, 2010

preparatory for the home coming of its illustrious son, Dr.Goodluck Jonathan, the people of Otuoke in Ogbia local government Area of Bayelsa state, are anxiously waiting to receive the president who is expected in the state this month. It would be recalled that since Dr. Goodluck Jonathan became the president three months ago, he hasnot visited his home town, hence everywhere in Otuoke as well as the entire state is wearing new look.
The president is expected to commission a plastic industry sited in his home town, Ogbia by himself when he was the Governor of Bayelsa state, even as so many other projects are waiting for his commissioning.  When New Nigerian visited the area over the weekend, his kinsmen did not hide their feelings at the long absence of one of their own since his elevation as president following the demise of the late president, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
 They are equally uncomfortable over the delay in declaring his 2011 presidential ambition which they said is a first step in openly campaigning for his candidature as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) come 2011 presidential polls.  According to Mr. Adiabai Victor-Eze, youth leader of Otuoke community, he attributed the  president’s inability to have visited home to his busy schedule.
 But a petty trader at Otuoke who refused to disclose her identity spoke the mind of most community people insisting that the president has stayed away too long and repeatedly said “we want to see him.”  
   Adiabai who is also chairman of National Council of Youths Presidents Forum also spoke on Jonathan’s yet to be declared 2011 presidential ambition saying “although he’s yet to declare his intention, when the time comes, he should be given the support.”
 He stated further, “Nigerians have been clamoring for a good leader and not ruler, and we have gotten one, we should embrace the name and the person he’s made of” and that “Nigerians should allow him to continue.”
 ”Jonathan’s coming to power is divine and he still has a lot to accomplish for the nation as the first South-Southerner to become president.We are telling all Nigerians that this is our chance, and he should be allowed to complete the late Yar’Adua tenure”, Adiabai said.
 The traditional ruler of Otuoke community, Lot Ogiasa expressed happiness over the elevation of Dr. Jonathan, but he refused to comment on any political situation in the state and the country, saying as a traditional ruler, he should not be partisan.