From Omon-Julius Onabu in Warri and Oke Epia in Abuja, 07.31.2006

Gana said this while speaking with newsmen at the weekend in Warri, Delta State, during a campaign visit to the oil-rich city.

"We do understand, we do sympathise and we do identify with the aspirations of the people of the (South-south) zone. They are genuine, they are real, and, therefore, we are not competing.

"The party, at the approriate time, will decide who the candidate will be. If it is our turn, we know our friends from the South-South will fully support us; if it is from the South-South, we from the Northern part will wholly support."

He, however, maintained that he stood head and shoulder above all others who are presently aspiring to the 2007 presidency because he knew Nigeria - geographically, culturally and politically - more than any of the other contenders to the country's number-one position.

The former special adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo noted that the job of President demanded more than a superficial knowledge or even romantic feelings about Nigeria, saying good education and an indepth knowledge of the country were important qualifications.
On which faction of the PDP he belongs, Gana pointed out that he was a founding member of the party and observed: "I am a member of the Board of Trustees of the party and our role is to bring all together in one PDP. So I cannot and do not want to belong to a faction of the PDP.

"You know, I am one of the founding members of the PDP, and, I thank God of having the PDP actaully being born in my house in Abuja. I, therefore, have a very importnat responsibilty not to see this party factionalized.

"I support a great, united PDP because it is only in unity that we can give service and development to the people."

Meanwhile, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, has said the nation痴 presidency in 2007 will elude the South-south if the geo-political zone痴 leaders and politicians failed to unite.

The PDP leader spoke weekend at a meeting of South-south elders and leaders of thought, which he hosted at Uromi, Edo State.

He regretted the 塗igh tendency towards mutual suspicion and recrimination, which lead to unnecessary quarrels, often conducted in the public domain,・adding that 鍍he greatest hindrance, which we are likely to confront is our lack of unity and suffocating individualism.・BR>Anenih said he was particularly unhappy that the South South Peoples Assembly (SSPA), which he contended ought to play a role like Afenifere, pan Yoruba socio-political organization, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), and even Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), had often been distracted by petty personality clashes.

According to him, 鍍he only goal which should consume all of us from now on is how the South-south will reverse the injustice which has been its lot since independence and take its rightful place in Nigeria痴 political life.・

He urged that all court cases between South-south brothers and sisters be withdrawn. 鄭s a long term measure, I wish to suggest that we focus our minds on the possibility of establishing common services, agencies and institutions, which will be the fulcrum of our efforts at integration,・he Said.

He stressed: 展e must, therefore, subject our partisanships and loyalties to a wholesome South-south agenda and identity. My desire is that, from today on, all the leaders of the South-south will bear a common banner and speak with one voice.・/P>

Anenih lamented that despite of the zone痴 contribution to the economy and stabilization of the polity in the country, it had not produced a President or Head of State, either military or civilian, since independence in 1960.

添et, this is a zone that can rightly be described as the anchor of Nigeria痴 unity and, without any doubt, the pillar of her economy,・he said.

The party leader added: 展e have stretched hands of fellowship across the Niger in all directions, and we have always pursued constructive engagement with all sections of the Nigerian nation. Our commitment to the Nigerian project has been total and we will not relent in seeking its achievement. Nowhere is this more clearly demonstrated than in the economic sector.

展e are, if the truth must be told, an oppressed Zone, if not an oppressed people. The good thing is that we are now aware of this oppression and, happily, our people are no longer willing to tolerate it. The noise of rejection is getting louder while the determination to break the chain is becoming stronger.

鄭nd, break the chain, we must, but through peaceful means, dialogue and negotiation.

展e recognize and applaud the concern of Pre-sident Olusegun Obasanjo and his concerted efforts at accelerating development in the Niger Delta area. We should thank him and members of the Federal Executive Council for the recent establishment of the Presidential Council on Socio-Economic Development of the Coastal States, in addition to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).・