“President Jonathan must declare and he must win” – Ateke Tom

Chief Ateke Tom, a former Niger Delta militant leader has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to declare his intention to seek re-election, according to reports from Punch. Chief Tom who made this known during the week in Okrika, Rivers State, while celebrating his 51st birthday, noting that the delay by the president declaration for a second term in office was making his supporters unhappy. Tom also added that those trying to intimidate Jonathan from seeking re-election were wasting their time, adding that the President would contest in the 2015 poll. Chief Tom who declared his intention to contest for the Rivers State governorship position, adding that past Nigerian leaders would not claim that they performed better than the current President. He said, “We are not happy that the President is delaying his declaration to seek re-election. We are expecting him to declare. President Jonathan must declare and he must win. Those trying to intimidate him by formenting unnecessary trouble are wasting their time. “When it was their turn, they were allowed to complete the two terms. Why do they want President Jonathan’s own to be different? If we are talking about past Presidents; they are not better than Jonathan. “So, I see no reason why they are saying Jonathan must serve one term. We are waiting for the President to declare his intention for a re-election. We will support him, our children will support him, everybody will support him and Rivers State will support him.”