The ACF had, in a meeting in Kaduna Tuesday, said it would be morally and legally wrong for the president to vie in the election, in view of the zoning formula of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
While Aminu Shagari (PDP/Yabo/Shagari Federal Constituency, Sokoto State) tagged along the ACF, Ibrahim Bawa Kamba (PDP/Arewa/Dandi Federal Constitruency of Kebbi State) said he would rather reserve his comment until the northern caucus in the House met to take a position on the comment of the ACF.
But Bitrus Kaze ( PDP/ Jos South Federal Constituency of Plateau State) said there was nothing wrong in the president contesting the election.
Shagari said: “He should have concentrated on credible polls, not contenting. Unfortunately, the position of Area Consultative Forum is the general opinion of the North. President Goodluck met a zoning arrangement on ground. He should have abided by it.
“ This is the kinds of thing that is dividing Nigeria into a religious divide. It does auger well for justice, peace and progress of Nigeria.
“It was the North that voted former President Olusegun Obasajo into power. It was because Obasanjo kept his words and handed over power in 1979. The North did not forget that so they voted him to power in 1999. We are a very magnanimous people but we believe in keeping our words.
“If the president had respected the zoning arrangement in the PDP constitution, and just settled to ensure free, fair and credible elections as an unbiased umpire, then he would remain one of the greatest Nigerian that North would always respect. But, since he has gone ahead on insisting to contest, it is unfortunate, and that is the feelings of the North.”
Bawa said: “Our caucus to make comment later. Since that is the position of ACF, I do not want to comment on my own. The Northern caucus would meet and take a position too.
But Kaze contended that there was nothing wrong in President Jonathan contesting the election, alluding to the transparency that trailed the party’s recent presidential primaries in Abuja.
“There is nothing legally and morally wrong with it. I do not share the position of the ACF.
Because there is nothing morally and legally wrong with President Jonathan Goodluck contesting the primary of the PDP for its to seek for a new mandate in April.
“Everybody saw how clinically transparent the PDP Presidential; Primaries was conducted. It the was the most transparent Presidential primary election of all times. The result was that the President had a large goodwill from delegates from all over the country.
“That means that delegates believe him to be the best to contest with others and win for the PDP. The constitution of PDP was tested in the law Courts and the law says it is the fundamental human right of the President to contest as contain in Nigerian constitution.
“So, I disagree with the ACF, because the goodwill the president has, even in the North, far supposes that of his Northern contender,” he said.
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Tribalism and regional sentiments will not take us anywhere. Whom the cap fit let him wear it.
ReplyDeleteWhat has the so-called northern leaders that have always been in power since independence achieve for the teaming northern region? Poverty. There is no physical and human development in the north compare to other region in the country.
So what are we talking about who is to rule.
Has Adamu Ciroma not being in power from 1960s to Obasanjo regime in 1999? What are his legacies he left for his people in the north?