Rivers State: Jonathan vows to stop 'political excesses'

President Goodluck Jonathan said on Thursday he would work to end the political crisis in Rivers State, which he described as disturbing.

Jonathan, who had hitherto not about the crisis in Rivers in person, the political excesses being exhibited in the country to the buildup  of the 2015 general election,  vowed to use his influence as the President of the country and as the leader of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party to end what he described as 'political excesses' currently characterising the nation's polity.

According to him, it has become imperative he intervened the excesses are already overheating the polity, even when the elections are still far off.  .

Special Adviser to the president on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said  Jonathan made ths pledge during a closed-doors meeting with a delegation of the Nigerian Bar Association, led by its President, Mr. Okey Wali (SAN), and three of his predecessors, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Wali had  urged the President to do all within his power to ensure that peace returns to Rivers State.

Jonathan in response promised to curb political excesses in the country.

He said he had asked for a detailed briefing on the security situation in Rivers State and assured the delegation that actions would be taken to ensure adherence to the rule of law and the maintenance of law and order in the state.

He said, 'The political tension in the country is mainly built around the 2015 elections, which should not be the case. It is quite disturbing. The year 2015 is still far off. I expect politicians to focus on the business of governance now. We must do what we were elected to do first. 'We will do our best to curb the overheating of the polity.'

The President, who had been roundly criticised alongside his wife, Patience, as being behind the crisis in Rivers State, was also said to have told the NBA delegation that he had asked for a detailed brief on the security situation in the state.

He, therefore, assured the group that all necessary actions would be taken to ensure adherence to the rule of law and maintenance of law and order in the troubled state.

Addressing other issues raised by the delegation, Jonathan said his administration was implementing the right policies, programmes and projects to accelerate economic development and boost employment in the country.

He called for 'a little more patience' from Nigerians, saying that the results of the present administration's efforts in areas, such as power supply, would become even more apparent in due course.

'In its address to the President delivered by Mr. Wali, the NBA conveyed its views on the state of the national economy, national security, the rule of law, independence of the judiciary, the anti-corruption crusade, elections and the electoral process as well as the ongoing review of the 1999 constitution.'

In an interview with State House correspondents shortly after the meeting, Wali said his association was greatly concerned about the negative developments in Rivers State, and had therefore called on Jonathan to do all within his powers to ensure that peace returns to the state.