I’ll contest 2015 Presidency if the people want me to - Aliyu

Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu has expressed his readiness to take a shot at the Presidency in 2015, if he the people want him to join the race.

The governor spoke yesterday in Minna, the state capital, when he hosted delegates of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), led by its Chairman, Alhaji Balarabe Musa.


Aliyu said: “I always prepare myself for eventuality. I have never declared for anything. I didn’t declare to be governor; I was called upon. So, if my people call upon me, I won’t hesitate to contest.”

The governor cautioned against political intolerance of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at all levels of government to opposition.

He noted that a one-party state was undemocratic.

Aliyu maintained that a multiple-party system at any level would encourage healthy competition and enable the people to choose the best to be their leaders.

He said: “Every ruling party wants to have a one-party state. I encourage a multiple-party system so that there would be peer review and for the people to have choices of ideology and style. We need to show the people the differences in what is to be done and how we can run the affair of governance.

“A one-party state is undemocratic as it makes one to want to crush another over a little disagreement.”

Aliyu condemned the undemocratic forces in Rivers State, where the people were restricted from holding meetings or gatherings.

The governor stressed that this should not be allowed to continue.

He said: “Undemocratic forces are very active in Rivers State. People cannot meet or gather for activities. Even during the military era, people were still allowed to meet. This has already happened and, if we allow it to continue, it will ruin the peace in the country.”

Musa said he and his team were in Niger State for CNPP’s annual conference.

He said the CNPP was not an opposition party but an umbrella of smaller political parties and political organisations.