International Solidarity Group for President Jonathan Goodluck 2011

International Solidarity Group for President Jonathan Goodluck 2011 (ISOGO)

Nigeria is getting reading for a landmark general elections in 2011. Although, the current president of the country, Jonathan Goodluck has yet to officially throw in his hat for the mammoth task, ISOGO - a non-political pressure group in the Netherlands is pushing for him to contest. Below is the excerpt of the take of Mr. Matthew Okiri Okeyim, the leader of ISOGO on its exercise:

Question: What does the acronyn ISOGO stand for?

Okiri: ISOGU stands for International Solidarity Group for President Jonathan Goodluck 2011.

Ques: Is this another political group, and what is your mission exactly?

Okiri: This is not a political group in any way, but it is a pressure group formed by Nigerians in the Diaspora to rebrand and reshape the image of our country in the Western world. We are independent, with no political affiliation but interested in ensuring that Nigeria moves forward like other progressive countries. Today, democracy and good governance are key requirements of the new world order. We are here to influence government actions and programmes by making sure that the electorates have a say and determine the day-to-day governance of the country. Our mission is to convince the international community that Nigeria is on the great path of making history with the forthcoming presidential elections in 2011. As the giant of Africa, the West need to once more support us in making sure that these elections are free and fair and every group in the country is given a chance to vote and be voted for accordingly. Secondly our mission is to speak to fellow Nigerians in the diaspora to speak to their families at home and elsewhere that they should forget the past and  register their support around President Jonathan Goodluck for the interest of peace, security, development and unity.

Ques:  What is your role in this group?

Okiri: I’m the European Co-ordinator and director.  I’m to ensure that Nigerians in the diaspora, internationnal government, non governmental organisations, actors in the international community have a positive thought for the improvement of democracy in Nigeria. I also laise with ISOGU representatives all over Europe, Asia, America, Canada, Australia and Africa to rally the support necessary for Jonathan Goodluck. I have to ensure that the forthcoming rallies to be carried out all over the world by Nigerians before  the presidential elections will be a success. I will employ all channels of the mass media to  lobby international government especially the great united states of America to support the on going political process in Nigeria. We need international support as the political forces at home do not seem to accept the fact that Jonathan Goodluck must continue in office for reasons not far from the unconstitutional zoning system.

Ques: Is your gorup an exclusive one or its membership is open to the public.

Okiri: ISOGO is open to all patriotic Nigerians in the diaspora that are interested in the promotion of democracy and unity of Nigeria; ready to make every Nigerian to be proud of being a Nigerian! I invite Nigerians to come out and join this group to move our country forward.

Ques:  Is your group being sponsored indirectly by President Jonathan Goodluck?

Okiri: Again, we are independent, with no political affiliation whatsover.  I have nerver met the president and do not even know him, but the political events and situations at home led myself and other Nigerians to come together to use this period of another election as a yardstick to do the right thing. Nigeria belongs to all of us and it is our dear country.

Ques: What about the zoning system said to be adopted by People’s Democratic Party of Nigeria which President Jonathan Goodluck belong?

Okiri: The zoning system adopted by some PDP Members is an undemocratic, unconstitutional and hypocritical term banded around by some unpatrotic Nigerians within the country. The same peopple calling for zoning are the same Nigerians that have collapse the country. Zoning is scheming the minorites out of governance. If there was zoning in America, there is no way Obama would have won  the elections. For the interest of peace, Jonathan is from the south south  and he should be allowed  to run. Besides, there is confusion about the so called zoning within the ruling PDP as not all members agree with it. Zoning is about discrimination, about injustice, unfairness, inequality and a big fraud. Because of zoning, the best leader cannot be given the chance and zoning is causing disunity.  Let’s have political parties that have the interest of the people in mind, not politicians fighting in the National Assembly for their own selfish ends. Governement is to help their  people  not to enslave them  or enrich themselves.

Ques:  How effective do you think President Jonathan Goodluck has been so far in leading the country?

Okiri: To be brief, President Jonathan has been able to maintain law, peace and order since he took over the governement. There is peace in the Niger Delta region now. There are ongoing reforms in INEC (elections commission). He has followed  strictly  the 7-Points Agenda of  the late president. He has to a great restored good relations  with the international countries. Obama will be in Nigeria soon for a working visit which has never been in the past. He has reprecsented the country on many occassions  on matters of development and common interest.

Ques: How do you plan to achieve your key objective of getting President Jonathan Goodluck to run for election in 2011?

Okiri: To lobby international governments, assembly of Heads of States and governments, non-governmental organisations and Nigerians in the diaspora. This is going to be through  holding of rallies, congress, seminars, workshops. Offices have been established in all regions of the world  and representatives will be working with  the European office in Amsterdam. The mass media will be a major instrument of  desiminating our ideas very soon. We need to channel our vision back home as well through the radio, newspapers and TV.

Ques: Any additional information that you would like to share with the public?

Okiri: I call on all Nigerian to come out and support this struggle for a viable democracy in Nigeria. Let us forget zoning and vote for President Jonathan Goodluck in 2011. Individuals and organisations can reach us via telephone numbers (+31) 013-211-1086 / 0619870255 or email: mattoke88@hotmail.com