NATIONAL Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) (South), Dr. Steve Oru, in this exclusive interview with The Guardian, spoke to OBIRE ONAKEMU on the party's zoning of political offices, President Goodluck Jonathan's transformationalagenda, among others.How would you view the general political trend in the country'It has been robust and interesting, typical of a multi-ethnic and multi-party system.It is an advancement over previous experiences of a one-way trend in the regions, as we now have a colouration of different political parties co-existing in the governments of various states and zones.We have improved on our electoral system and also have rule of law in the country.What is your impression of the politics of the South-South'The politics of the South-South zone has also been quite robust and interesting, with an overwhelming interest in promoting political socio-economic development of the zone through inter-state cooperation and integration aimed at promoting accelerated development of the region.Has Jonathan Presidency met your expectation and that of the South-South zone'At this embryonic stage of this administration, the Jonathan's presidency has succeeded, in spite of the challenges of insecurity posed by the Boko Haram sect, in putting in place enough frameworks for sustainable development in different sectors of the economy.The Presidency has demonstrated enough capacity for dialogue and peaceful negotiation of crisis. Jonathan has improved on our electoral system, which is the bedrock of our democracy.He has demonstrated resilient capacity for carrying every section of the country along in the scheme of things.But some sections of the zone alleged that they are yet to gain tangible things from his Presidency'This is an un-benign assessment of a progressive government; it is an assessment of deliberate blindness.The Jonathan's government is barely one year and in no distant time, the product of its re-engineering of the various sectors of the economy would have become manifest.The government needs to be applauded for its performance so far. The Niger Delta region will continue to benefit from the programmes being implemented by this government.The Jonathan's administration means well for Nigeria. What the government needs is the peaceful environment and the support of every Nigerian for it to implements its programmes and move Nigeria to greater heights.Why is the South-South secretariat of the PDP relocating to Edo State for the July 12 governorship'It is normal in a multi-political party system with conducive environment for healthy competition of programmes for political parties to support their party in other states.Do you support the zoning of political offices'I support the zoning of political offices, because over the years it has been utilised as an effective method of ensuring even spread of offices among the various constituents in the country.It also serves as a good medium in reducing rancour in our body polity.Don't you think Nigeria is already disintegrating, with the Boko Haram insurgency'Nigeria cannot disintegrate because of the activities of Boko Haram. The government has put in place a good mechanism for consultation and dialogue with the Boko Haram sect.Nigeria belongs to all of us and we must all do all we can to promote what unites us as a country.
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