Jonathan inciting Nigerians to violence, says CNPP

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), a coalition of opposition parties in the country, has warned the Goodluck Jonathan administration to expect a youth revolution before 2015. The group also called on young Nigerians to take steps towards a revolution as a way to end what it describes as ‘anti-people’ policies by the presidency.

Willy Ezugwu, the group’s secretary general, reacting to a statement made by President Jonathan during the final moments of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) campaign in Kogi State for the upcoming governorship election, said the president had predicted a revolution and should expect it to come to pass during his tenure.

“In the coming years, the youth will revolt against any president or state government if we do not come up with policies that will create jobs,” Mr. Jonathan was quoted by the Nigerian media.

Mr. Ezugwu however found this statement offensive and one that could incite violence.

“President Jonathan apparently does not understand the gravity of his prediction that was why he could pass what is the equivalent of a death sentence on the country…It will seem Mr. President is confident that things will come to a boil under a different administration in the future. However, this is where he got it wrong. The revolt President Jonathan predicted would happen on his watch and would be spontaneous since it is almost too late to correct the evils unleashed on Nigerians in the over twelve years that his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has ruled Nigeria,” Mr. Ezugwu said in a statement made available to Premium Times on Wednesday in Abuja.

The CNPP also urged Nigerians to take a cue from the president’s statement.

“At this stage, we expect Nigerians especially the youths to take a cue from the permission granted by Mr. President for them to revolt against unemployment, insecurity, corruption and the impunity that are not prevalent in the land. President Jonathan has already showed the lead by admitting failure through his prediction; Nigerians no longer have any reason to be complacent.” Mr Ezugwu concluded.