The intense power play preceding the 2015 presidential election intensified on Saturday when Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu claimed that President Goodluck Jonathan entered into an agreement with governors on the platform of the PDP to serve for a term.
Gov Babangida, who spoke with all seriousness, made the claim during an interview with a Kaduna-based radio station, Liberty FM on Saturday morning.
In the interview, he insisted that Jonathan signed a single-term pact with PDP governors. According to the governor, it was on the basis of the said agreement that he and some of his colleagues in the ruling party supported the President in the 2011 presidential election.
He said, “What will be, will be in 2015. We must remind people of the promises they have made. When he (Jonathan) was going to declare, governors of PDP were brought together to ensure that we were all in the same frame of mind. Some of us, given the PDP zoning, were expecting that the northern states would produce the President for these number of years but God has done His own.
“At that discussion, it was agreed that President Jonathan would serve one term and we all signed and when he went to Kampala, he said the same thing. But for now, President Jonathan has not declared his candidacy and we must not be speculating based on who those are benefiting from such a thing. I believe that we are all gentlemen enough and when the time comes, we will all sit down and see what the right thing to do is.
“Many people may misunderstand my stance that I pray for the success of the merger of the opposition parties because I want a situation where in this country, parties can really challenge one another. So that we don’t take it for granted that because you have been winning elections, you can do as you wish. There is a purpose for election. There is a purpose for setting up government. You set up government for the competence, effectiveness and efficiency of running an administration. You don’t set it up because of a group of people to keep on enjoying to the detriment of the people.”
But when contacted, the Presidency deny the claims credited to Gov Babangida, who is also the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum.
Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Dr. Ahmed Gulak, claimed Jonathan did not sign any agreement with anyone. “The alleged agreement only exists in the figment of the imagination of somebody with presidential ambition,” he added.
He said, “What will be, will be in 2015. We must remind people of the promises they have made. When he (Jonathan) was going to declare, governors of PDP were brought together to ensure that we were all in the same frame of mind. Some of us, given the PDP zoning, were expecting that the northern states would produce the President for these number of years but God has done His own.
“At that discussion, it was agreed that President Jonathan would serve one term and we all signed and when he went to Kampala, he said the same thing. But for now, President Jonathan has not declared his candidacy and we must not be speculating based on who those are benefiting from such a thing. I believe that we are all gentlemen enough and when the time comes, we will all sit down and see what the right thing to do is.
“Many people may misunderstand my stance that I pray for the success of the merger of the opposition parties because I want a situation where in this country, parties can really challenge one another. So that we don’t take it for granted that because you have been winning elections, you can do as you wish. There is a purpose for election. There is a purpose for setting up government. You set up government for the competence, effectiveness and efficiency of running an administration. You don’t set it up because of a group of people to keep on enjoying to the detriment of the people.”
But when contacted, the Presidency deny the claims credited to Gov Babangida, who is also the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum.
Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Dr. Ahmed Gulak, claimed Jonathan did not sign any agreement with anyone. “The alleged agreement only exists in the figment of the imagination of somebody with presidential ambition,” he added.
Gov Babangida dont know what he's saying. Even if Jonathan signed anything it is canceled bcos Nigerians love the development he's bringing and they want him for 2015 again.
ReplyDeleteHon Tony
Hon tony, u are a baboon wit ur brain in ur ass, so u better shut up b4 somone do it 4u, stupid idiot.
DeleteHon Tony pls what development has he brought?, and of truly u are of the Hons u better do what Anonymous 0.22 said, OLE
DeleteHon Henry,
DeleteThat u bear henry is understandable. I don't see anything honourable about your comment. Aliyu's comments I don't care about but to say that you are happy with the progress being made by the worst president this country have had in it's history tells another story. You are nothing but an attention seeking fool.
May you please point at some of the developments so that I can qoute you.
ReplyDeleteCan Jonathan withstand the heat of Northerns when it would start? 2015 we are watching
ReplyDeletelet him said his mind this is democracy. hashimu dayyabu
ReplyDeletehoooooooo i pity this mumu called jonathan coss the man really fumble i swear he disgrace us in south what as he done the level of corruption is so high atlist deal with corrupt alone is enough for achievement things will get shape but he base on favour some people in his cabinet for his own selfish intrest idiot
ReplyDeleteThey are still at it with this" zoning thing". Give it a rest. They pay lip service to governance but when election comes round they suddenly remember why they are elected. See this qoute from the article " we don’t take it for granted that because you have been winning elections, you can do as you wish. There is a purpose for election. There is a purpose for setting up government. You set up government for the competence, effectiveness and efficiency of running an administration". Oh really!. Not what we have seen in Nigeria including your state in the last 20yrs. Whilst agreeing that Jonathan is not what Nigeria needs at this time and needs to go, the mention of zoning prevents the best candidate for the presidency from stepping up. Donald Duke is a serious candidate whenever Nigeris is ready for serious governance. Not these continous recyled politicians.
ReplyDeleteLet's wait and see
ReplyDeleteIdiots..................... Ibb
ReplyDeleteIdiots..................... Ibb
ReplyDeleteAgreement or no Agreement,GEJ has failed in his first term in office and does not deserve second term.He has presided over d most corrupt government in d world where politicians has looted d most of d wealth of d country while d majority of people are suffering,No security,Jobs,Roads,Light & water.He should leave office quietly without creating any confusion.
ReplyDelete