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The emergence of
Goodluck Jonathan as Nigeria’s president is rooted in the long
political friendship that existed between the north and the old Rivers
State, former civilian president, Shehu Shagari has said.

Mr Shagari, who
received Mr Jonathan in his home in Sokoto yesterday, said he was happy
that as politicians like him become old, young ones like Mr Jonathan
have emerged to take up the task of leading the country. He spoke of
the need to allow younger Nigerians like Mr Jonathan to take over the
leadership of the country from the older ones.

“I’m getting old
and I don’t think I can join any political party for active politicking
now, but I’m happy that you (Jonathan) have emerged to undertake the
onerous task of leading this country.

I believe you will succeed, having worked so hard,” he said.

The former
president said even before the nation’s independence in 1960, when the
Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) was looking for an alliance with the
Southern region, it was the politicians from the Niger Delta that
volunteered to form a coalition with the party.

“Even after
independence, people from the Niger Delta remained faithful to the
friendship bond that had developed over the years. The North will
remain proud of such a long political friendship with the people of the
Niger Delta,” he said.

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Mr Shagari assured
Mr Jonathan that he will not regret paying him a personal visit. Mr
Jonathan thanked the former president for the invaluable advice he gave
him when he was acting president after president Umar Yar’Adua became
incapacitated.

“We want to follow your foot-step of building a united, peaceful and economically stable nation,” he said.

The President said that his aim is to create jobs for the growing
number of youth, re-invigorate the economy, strengthen security and
improve the lives of Nigerians.